Fun the focus for kids’ day

October 25, 2023 BY Sophie Founé

Cubs’ roar: Members of the Central Victorian Lion Team will be showing off their moves as part of FunLoong Day at the end of the month. FILE

BENDIGO’S FunLoong Day will be back in time for Children’s Week at the end of the month.

As part of the event there’ll be lots of activities and live entertainment set up along Hargreaves Mall and Williamson Street, including the Central Victorian Lion Team, Amy Tie, Goldilocks and Friends, the Academy of Creative Arts, and multicultural groups.

City of Greater Bendigo community partnerships manager Andie West said the event has something for everyone.

“It’s the highlight of the City’s children’s events calendar and one of the most well attended and anticipated annual events for local children and their families,” she said.

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

The Central Victorian Lion Team will have three groups performing, including the Southern Lion, Dragon, and Fu Wa dance teams.

“They’re all traditional Chinese dancers, basically each team will perform for around about 10 to 15 minutes, the Lion team normally slightly longer,” said Central Victorian Lion Team president Garry Sea.

“We’ve done it for a number of years now, it’s usually a high priority on our calendar.

“Because we have all age groups of kids in our teams, we’ve always considered it pretty important to take part.

“It’s usually a fun day for everybody.”

Activities set for the Zone Open Street include a big baller, laser tag, and jumping castle.

There will also be displays by Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police, a skateboarding workshop, and an option for kids to shoot some hoops with stars from local WNBL team Bendigo Spirit.

Other features include face painting, an animal farm, bubbles, archery, storytelling, temporary tattoos, henna, a toy library, slot cars, crafts, free fruit, and giveaways.

Sausages and vegie burgers will be available for purchase from the Kangaroo Flat Rotary Club for $2, and free water refill stations will be onside.

FunLoong Day will be on from 11am to 2pm on Saturday 28 October.