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Teddy bear picnic planned at WCMA grounds

A free community event brings back a once-popular event in Fergus
teddy bear picnic little girl
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ABOYNE – If you go down to the Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) grounds this August, you’re sure of a big surprise. 

That’s because Aug. 7 is the day the teddy bears will have their picnic. 

What started as just a simple idea for a community picnic turned into relaunching a past event for organizer Pat Mestern. 

Mestern recalled in an interview the Teddy Bear Caper in Downtown Fergus, starting around the late-80s, would bring in thousands to Fergus before the event eventually over time petered off and became a thing of the past for the town. 

“People wanted it back, they really did,” Mestern said. 

She explained she was asked by the community to organize a community picnic as COVID began to back-off. With the WCMA as a location for one, Mestern thought teddy bears would go well with the event. 

“We added the teddy bear aspect for the kids basically because parents are thinking they might bring their teddy bears? Sure why not,” Mestern said.

There will be six contest categories including: smallest teddy bear, largest teddy bear, best dressed teddy bear, the person dressed exactly like their bear, most Scottish bear and the person with the most bears. 

These competitions will be judged after a teddy bear march around the museum grounds. 

Originally this would be for children only but Mestern said enough adults reached out they have decided to have an adults section for each contest as well. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and chair but food trucks will be there for those interested and there will be entertainment all day which will include Elvis. Mestern noted she isn’t organizing this alone and has had a lot of help in regards to the food trucks and entertainment.

There is no cost to attend but donations will be accepted by the museum and Art Davidson is doing a dunk tank-esque fundraiser for the food bank where he will be soaked by people throwing wet sponges for charity. 

The event will run on Sunday Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the case of rain, Mestern said the event will have to be cancelled and held at a later date as there will not be enough room inside the museum. 

“Having something to put my mind to is good,” Mestern said. “I didn’t mind putting this together for the people, they deserve it after the last two and a half years of what’s taken over their lives.”


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Keegan Kozolanka

About the Author: Keegan Kozolanka

Keegan Kozolanka is a general assignment reporter for EloraFergusToday, covering Wellington County. Keegan has been working with Village Media for more than two years and helped launch EloraFergusToday in 2021.
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