Aboyne, Ont.– The Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) invites the community to its third annual summer picnic, reimagined as ‘Berries and Bears’, on Saturday, June 20 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Building on the beloved Strawberry Festival, this year’s celebration broadens appetites to embrace the full bounty of the season.
Activities and Entertainment: Throughout the afternoon, guests can take part in Picnic Olympics (classic lawn games with gold, silver, and bronze prizes), strawberry planting, and community bunting decorating, contributing to a collaborative art installation that will adorn future WCMA events. The Guelph Suzuki String School of Music will host an Instrument Petting Zoo, balloon artist Eric will twist creations to order, and sprinklers will be available for cooling off and play. County booths from Economic Development, Green Legacy, and Solid Waste will offer interactive experiences throughout the day.
The Teddy Bear Caper: Running from 1:00 to 2:30 pm, the Teddy Bear Caper invites participants of all ages to show off their most cherished stuffed companions. Bears will be judged in categories including best dressed, smallest and largest, funniest name, and best dancer. Singalongs and special performances round out the fun.
Live Music: The picnic opens with the Onion Honey Duo (12:00 - 1:45 pm), a banjo-and-guitar duo blending classic and original folk songs. The afternoon closes with Ground Cover (3:00 - 4:00 pm), a Guelph-based folk rock band performing original material ranging from hard-hitting rock to melodic pop.
Food and Vendors: A diverse lineup of food vendors will keep guests well fed, including El Milagro (authentic Mexican cuisine), Born2Eat (BBQ and smoked meats), Indulge Ice Cream (Hawaiian shaved ice and ice cream), Pablas Street Food of India (authentic Indian cuisine), Thames River Market (fresh local produce), and Melville United Church Women, serving strawberry shortcake, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other seasonal treats.
Muskrat Market: The Muskrat Market, a community-focused artisan market, will feature a curated selection of vendors showcasing goods ranging from homemade sweets to handcrafted pottery.
Admission is by donation, and all are welcome. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket, a reusable water bottle, and a picnic (or buy onsite) and, of course, their best teddy bear.
Media Contact: Katie Clarke, Assistant Museum Programmer, 519.846.0916 x 5231, katiec@wellington.ca