Young families gathered at the Barriere Ridge Saturday for the return of the Indoor Teddy Bear Picnic.

Twenty-seven youngsters attended the event, the first in two years after it was shut down during the pandemic. They brought their favourite teddy bears and stuffies to share in the fun and to make a special stop at the table of Doctor Goldilocks’ (Lorene Fennell) table where their bear or stuffy received a full health check, complete with a signed certificate of good health.

Youngsters also received tips from the doctor on how to keep their fluffy companions healthy, such as, “Give your teddy bear at least four hugs a day.”

Music for the event was provided courtesy of Debbie Taylor Sherman, who also proved to be an avid Lego enthusiast, showing youngsters what they could build at the Lego table.

North Thompson Museum and Barriere and District Heritage Society members Virginia Smith and Donna Kibble were onsite, providing snacks to eat and overseeing the refreshment table. Other volunteers who helped to make the day special were Judy Armstrong, Liz Gilbertson and Fran Wagstaff. Organizer of the event was Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach Coordinator Jill Hayward. The entire event proved to be a unique and fun way to spend a winter day indoors by unplugging and playing with kids and family. Attendees had the chance to socialize, meet new friends and make plans for future playdates. Youngsters played, sang, danced, ran around, used the slides, built Lego marvels, learned to use hole hoops, played basketball, and enjoyed picnic lunches.

This annual Indoor Teddy Bear Picnic, held during Literacy Week in B.C. was hosted by Interior Savings for their Unplug and Play Week, Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach, Yellowhead Community Services, and the North Thompson Star Journal.

‘Unplug and Play’ was the theme at the Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach Teddy Bear Picnic held at the Barriere Ridge on Jan. 29. This dad showed some great moves while playing a game of basketball with the kids. (Jill Hayward photo)

Layne and Dallas Martz taking their teddy bears, made by Grandma Sally Veltri, to the Unplug and Play Teddy Bear Picnic presented by Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach at the Ridge in Barriere on Jan. 29. (Angela Veltri photo)