17 December 1999

Christchurch to attempt world record

Organisers of Christchurch’s Tip Top Ice Cream Teddy Bears Picnic are hoping to recapture a world record that the city held in 1994.

The enduringly popular SummerTimes event attracts thousands of families and many thousands of Teddy Bears each year. In 1994 Christchurch broke a world record for the most teddy bears at a Teddy Bears Picnic, reaching a total of 16,837. Christchurch’s record was short lived however, when Dublin Zoo recorded 33,573 teddy bears at their event in 1995. The Zoo has held the record ever since.

Michelle Beckett, co-ordinator of the Tip Top Ice Cream Teddy Bears Picnic, believes that Christchurch is capable of reclaiming the record. “It’s a big challenge but it’s not beyond our reach,” says Ms Beckett.

Each teddy bear has to be registered individually on site in order to meet the strict criteria set by the Guiness Book of World Records. “Unfortunately only Teddy Bears can be counted but Koala bears and panda bears are still welcome to come along and be part of the festivities.”

The Tip Top Ice Cream Teddy Bears Picnic will be held from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday 9 January in North Hagley Park.

For more information contact:

Michelle Beckett, Events Team Leader, phone (03) 941 8842 or (025) 740 585.

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