Volunteers and staff are busy putting the finishing touches on a special event. For the thirty-second year, Assiniboine Park will be overrun with picnicking teddy bears this Sunday. 

The annual Teddy Bears Picnic is an annual event that raises awareness for not only the work of the Children's Hospital Foundation (CHF) but also educational for kids' health.

"Kids can come down and learn how to be healthy," Tanya Williams from the CHF says. "Whether it be eating at our Save On Foods tent, or at the Dr. Goodbear Clinic . . . that's essentially the Children's Hospital recreated on the grounds of Assiniboine park and staffed by staff from Children's who are volunteering their time."

Williams knows first-hand how important the work of CHF is. Shortly after returning to Winnipeg to begin working for the foundation her own daughter ended up in the Children's Hospital. "She got an infection, which led to a very rare disease."

It just so happens, that before her illness, Williams' daughter had gone through the Teddy Bears Picnic. She had seen how the teddy bears go through the hospital, and Williams says it was a process that put her daughter at ease as she prepared to become a patient herself.

"Mom, it's going to be like the Teddy Bear's Picnic," her daughter said. "'This is going to be so cool; I'm going to get to spend the night at the Children's Hospital.' That really summed it up for me. That we're really showing kids that it isn't a scary place to be and that it's fun, and there are really amazing people working there."

Event information

Pancake Breakfast starts at 8:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. the doors open.

There are over 40 tents and activities.

The big stage will feature entertainers throughout the day.

You can see a full sitemap here.

Admission is free. Proceeds from food and donations go towards equipment and the work of CHF.

Transportation

Parking is available at 820 Taylor Ave. A free shuttle from there will take you to the park. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes. The first one leaves at 8:00 a.m., and the final one at 6:00 p.m.