Simmons Park visitors were certainly in for a big surprise this Easter as the Pavilion Café hosted its first Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
Staged as park of Okehampton sports charity OCRA’s holiday activities, the picnic offered a full family afternoon starting with a teddy trail in the park, multi-sports on the cricket pitch and the picnic itself outdoors in the Spring sunshine, with some special guests.
Courtesy of Okehampton start-up Characters Inc., the Best Loved Bear competition was judged by a very huggable, life-sized bear, where the contestants included a snake, several monkeys, a unicorn, pups, dogs and, yes, a host of teddies.
The afternoon rounded off with a dance-along with impressive life-sized characters Marshal, Chase and Skye from the popular TV show PAW Patrol, joined by toddlers, children, parents and cafe staff for a little Cha-cha Slide and other hits to work off delicious Teddy Pizza and Rainbow cake.
OCRA’s sport and recreation programme kicks off again with the start of the Summer school term, with further surprise events promised for the May half-term holiday.