Plenty of kidding around at Garden Expo
June 18, 2014
Entertainment for the state’s future generation of green thumbs will be in plentiful supply over the upcoming school holidays, with the 2014 Queensland Garden Expo set to offer a broad range of children’s activities between 11-13 July.
Queensland Garden Expo Event Manager Marion Beazley said the 2014 event program incorporated a number of free entertainment options for kids, including workshops, an interactive animal nursery, a jumping castle, giant slide, rides and street performers.
“One of our most popular activities is bound to be the weaving workshop being held in the Kitchen Garden area on day three of the expo,” Ms Beazley said.
“The workshop teaches children how to make head wreaths from vines, flowers, grasses, reeds and leaves, and really brings out the magic of working with nature.”
“Prep Teacher and Early Childhood Environmental Educator Fiona Ball will lead the activity, bringing a wealth of knowledge regarding permaculture gardening and child development to the Expo.”
Ms Beazley said the talks and demonstrations being held in the ‘Living Backyard’ area of the Expo were also set to attract plenty of attendees, with a presentation on creating a frog habitat and attracting frogs to your garden just one of the activities on offer.
“Children and adults alike will be given the opportunity to get their hands dirty throughout the Expo, creating frogs out of clay, native bee nests from bamboo and timber and other wildlife habitats from recycled materials,” Ms Beazley said.
“We’re also looking forward to running workshops on DIY worm farms, creating an outdoor wonderland filled with fun and learning for children, and keeping chickens in the backyard.”
Ms Beazley said the Expo would also welcome Old MacDonald’s Farm this year, bringing their ever-popular array of baby farm animals for children to interact with.
“The animal component of the Expo is always such a highlight for our young visitors,” Ms Beazley said.
“Not only will they be able to interact with the farm animals at the baby animal nursery, attendees can also visit the chickens at the City Chicks stall, view the guinea pigs on show at the Expo and check out the Sunshine Aviculture Society’s display of birds.”
Ms Beazley said connecting future generations with nature had become an invaluable part of the Expo over its 30 years of operation, with a love of the environment staying with many attendees for life.
“Gardening is not only a creative outlet that instils a love of nature, but also a practical and empowering skill that teaches children about the science of plants, nutrition and even taking responsibility for caring for another living thing,” Ms Beazley said.
“It works wonders for kids’ physical health and wellbeing, so it’s no surprise that our children’s workshops continue to grow in popularity year after year.”
“We also find the garden displays as well as the stilt walkers, musicians and street performers roaming the grounds are a huge hit with kids attending the Expo — that is, if you can coax them away from the children’s playground!”
More than 35,000 people are expected to attend the three-day expo, which includes more than 360 exhibitors and offers a full program of free lectures and demonstrations across eight live stages.
The Queensland Garden Expo will be held between 11-13 July at the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
For more information and to access the full program once released, please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.
Expo extra — Getting children involved in the garden
Struggling to come up with ideas for getting your kids out from in front of the TV these school holidays? Gardening is a great way to get children outdoors, exercising and learning new skills. Learning all about our natural world can start in even the smallest of backyards. Here horticulturalist Claire Bickle shares some tips on how to get children interested in the garden.
1. Give them their own patch to grow, to care for, to harvest and to eat. It can be edible but may also include flowers for colour and insect activity.
2. Have tools that are made for children — size appropriate is important.
3. Start from scratch. Sow seeds and grow plants from cuttings or bulbs.
4. Create areas where nature may be observed such as ponds, birdbaths, possum boxes and garden beds that attract insects.
5. Get arty! It doesn’t always have to be about growing. Try making scarecrows or sculptures together.
6. Recycle! Teach your kids about household waste and where it goes. Start a worm farm or create a compost heap.
7. Consider welcoming some outdoor pets. Can you fit a chook or two in the backyard or even a native bee hive?
// Ends.
Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing P: 0410 109 102 E: maya@freshprm.com.au
General event details
Where: Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
When:
Friday, 11 July 2014
Saturday, 12 July 2014
Sunday, 13 July 2014
Opening times:
Gates open 8:00am daily
Gates close 5:00pm Friday and Saturday, 4:00pm Sunday
Disability access:
The showground offers excellent facilities for wheelchair visitors with on-site disabled parking, easy access and ground level exhibits along with disabled toilet facilities. Guide dogs are welcome.
Tickets:
Adults $18
Aged concession card holders $16
Groups (10 or more) $16
Children (15 and under with accompanying adult) Free
Two-day entry pass (Saturday & Sunday) – Adults $30
Three-day entry pass $40
[nggallery id=13]
