Fun for all at annual children’s week fest

HARGREAVES Mall and part of Williamson Street will be bursting with free activities and live entertainment as part of the City of Greater Bendigo’s annual FunLoong Fun Day on Saturday 19 October.

The event celebrates National Children’s Week and is a popular attraction for children and their families.

It is a play on the name of Bendigo’s iconic Chinese dragon Sun Loong. A dedicated mall playspace design based on the dragon was the most popular when more than 2500 children voted in 2015.

The City’s director of healthy communities and environments, Stacy Williams, said FunLoong Fun Day was one of the most well-attended and anticipated annual events of its kind.

“We expect to see big numbers again this year and encourage everyone to come along and enjoy this free family event and all the fun that it offers,” Ms Williams said.

Highlights will include face painting, an animal petting zoo, bubble fun, safe archery, Lego play, airbrush tattoos, henna painting, a toy library, slot cars, craft activities, waste sorting and garbage truck, free fruit, giveaways and more.

There will be a Welcome to Country and didgeridoo performance on the live stage, as well as other performances by the Central Victorian Lion Team and Academy of Creative Arts.

An Alice in Wonderland Show and roving characters are also on the program. An open street in Williamson Street will feature The Zone big baller, laser tag, a meltdown challenge, gymnastics and bike riding, as well as try-out skateboarding activities and displays by Ambulance Victoria, the CFA and Victoria Police.

The Kangaroo Flat Rotary Club will be selling sausages and veggie burgers for only $2 each, and a Coliban Water refill station will be available for people to refill their water bottles. The fun day will run from 11am to 2pm.