Entertaining picnic for children and bears

Elizabeth Raupp (6, left), Thomas Gibson-Padfield (5) and Clarissa Aldabe Ribeiro (6) share tea with fluffy friends Patricia (left), Maple and Alesha at the Larnach Castle Teddy Bears' Picnic yesterday.

The children paraded their plush pals in a fashion show, balanced eggs on spoons and passed parcels for the 13th annual event.

It is now part of the Enchanted Dunedin Festival, since the demise of the Chocolate Carnival.

Larnach Castle sales and marketing manager Deborah Price said the children always loved the event.

"We don't have a lot of pomp and ceremony with the Teddy Bears' Picnic, it's more about jelly and baby saveloys ... more of a children's birthday party."

The Winter Ball takes place at the castle tonight.