Covering just about everything imaginable to do with the early childhood sector - from information on children's health and wellbeing, through to parenting advice and resources and linking people in with support networks - the expo was a chance to ‘‘showcase what's on offer'' in the Upper Clutha, Ms McArthur said.
Rather than just having static displays, the expo would provide ‘‘hands-on'' activities.
‘‘It's a chance for people to come in and get down and get involved.
‘‘Face-paint your preschooler and let them face paint you. Make your own play dough,'' Ms McArthur said.
Groups that will be highlighting their services or products at the expo include Hawea and Wanaka playgroups, Upper Clutha Women's Support Group, all early childhood centres, Open Polytechnic, Mini Muscles, Plunket, and many more.
‘‘There's so much on offer [in Wanaka] but it's nice to have everything brought together in one spot.
‘‘It's a really good way of bringing the community together,'' she said.
Live entertainment will occur every half-hour, featuring groups such as Mainly Music and Aspiring Dance, as well as puppetry and gymnastic displays. Spot prizes will also be awarded.
Ms McArthur said the expo would be of interest to anybody who had anything to do with the early childhood age group, including expectant parents and even grandparents.
The event would also be an opportunity for all early childhood groups to fundraise.
The expo was originally planned to coincide with New Zealand Children's Day last year - which usually falls in October but was shifted forward to March 2 for the first time this year.
Ms McArthur said because the Upper Clutha A&P show had fallen around the same time, it had not been possible for the expo to go ahead. Even though it was a couple of months after the official date, the expo was still the Upper Clutha's way of acknowledging New Zealand Children's Day.
Entry to the expo is by a gold coin donation, which will be used for cost recovery, with any leftover money being used to subsidise future early childhood educational support or opportunities in the Upper Clutha.
Wanaka Playgroup coordinator Gill Baird said the group's stall at the expo would aim to raise parents' awareness of what the playgroup's twiceweekly sessions offered.
‘‘We're usually the first port of call for new mums in town,'' Mrs Baird said.
‘‘Most of the mums that come to us say ‘I'm new in town, I don't know anyone'. - The inaugural Upper Clutha Early Childhood Expo will be held on Saturday, May 24 from 11am-2pm at the Lake Wanaka Centre.
