Selwyn Times: March 14, 2017

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www. .kiwi
Tuesday March 14 2017 13
News
Range of events thrill children
MORE THAN 2000 people
turned out for the Selwyn
Parenting Network’s annual
children’s day event, held recently
at the Rolleston Community
Centre and reserve.
The purpose of the event is
for families and communities
to come together and celebrate
the children in their lives with a
range of free activities.
Families were treated to a free
sausage sizzle, courtesy of Ray
White, and fresh fruit supplied
by Healthy Harvest, and the ice
blocks sponsored by Rolleston
New World were in hot demand.
The Cancer Society was on site to
hand out plenty of sunblock.
Many of the children that
tested their speed against the
police laser were then able to cool
down under the spray of the fire
hose, and plenty of adults were
tempted to join in the fun under
the hot sun.
DJ Chris Martin was the MC,
entertaining the crowd with
humour and music. The event’s
opening act was the Burnham
School kapa haka group.
Josh Grimaldi had plenty of
young volunteers to chose from
to assist him with his magic
show, and Lolytwist worked tirelessly
to keep up with demand for
her balloon creations.
HOT DEMAND: Children cool down under the fire hose.
ROLLING THE DICE: Rolleston’s Elme Pieterse, 9, and Cydney
van der Merwe, 6, try out giant snakes and ladders.
There were also pony rides
and farm animals to cuddle,
including a rat, and craft and play
activities. Have-a-go activities
included House of Bricks Lego,
the Fun on Wheels trailer, giant
games, a tumbling and flips clinics
and a golf driving range.
Selwyn Parenting Network
funding and marketing co-ordinator
Kimberlee Woods said the
group wanted families to focus
on the core values of children’s
day and regularly practice giving
time, praise and encouragement,
listening and talking, love and
affection, and new experiences to
children.
HANDS UP: Josh Grimaldi had plenty of young volunteers to
chose from to assist him with his magic show.
UP CLOSE: Rolleston’s Samantha Gregge and her sons Jayden,
3, and Ashton, 5, taking a look at an army vehicle.
PHOTOS: JANNETH GIL