Outer Space theme to Gympie’s annual Little Kids Day Out

The ninth annual Gympie Little Kids Day Out will be held on Saturday, August 10, 10am-2pm at the Gympie Show Pavilion.

Curtis Dray and Kim Walters judge picture books ahead of the ninth annual Gympie Little Kids Big Day Out on Saturday, August 10.

The ninth annual Gympie Little Kids Day Out will be held on Saturday, August 10, 10am-2pm at the Gympie Show Pavilion.

A spokesperson for LKDO said this week the committee had finished posting 40 banners across the region and visiting all schools and early learning centres to distribute event flyers and cardboard for the walking track and 3D artworks.

They said the 1600 child bags had arrived, and the committee had packed 700 parent sleeves full of information about services in the region. Every child will receive a bag as they enter the grounds, so they can carry their artwork.

The theme of this year’s LKDO is Outer Space.

The event is supported by 300 volunteers and the active participation of schools and early learning centres in the Gympie region.

Curtis Dray and Kim Walters judge picture books ahead of the ninth annual Gympie Little Kids Big Day Out on Saturday, August 10.

“We thank our sponsors who allow us to keep the event free for all: Gympie Regional Council, Bravo Disability Services, Bendigo Community Bank, Apex Club of Gympie, CCC Early Learning, MyKindy at Victory, McClintock Transport, Healthy Play, Rotary, Anglicare Gympie Out of Home Care - Foster and Kinship Care, RSL, Turbo and Tank, Kin Kin Freemasons, Lions Club of Gympie, Nolan Meats Social Club, Gympie Meat Hall, Alma Street Pre-Prep, Gympie South State School, Cooloola Window Tinting, cleanaway and Party World.

“Dr Daz from Nashville Medical Centre will be our MC on the Pavilion stage which will showcase performances by local children, including St Patrick’s Primary School, Gympie West, Ready Set Dance, and the Cooloola Community Orchestra.

“Aerial Dreaming will perform in the afternoon, and Joyology will entertain children waiting for their free face painting.

“Ready Set Dance will hold interactive sessions beside the stage at 12:30pm for parents and their one to three-year-olds, and at 1pm for children aged two to five.

“Children can enjoy over 50 outer space-themed activities, including a baby ball pit, obstacle courses, a wide range of sensory activities, face painting, bubbles, dancing, sand and water play, storybook reading, games, stomp rockets, and dough. There will be roving mascots and entertainers, sporting demonstrations, and emergency vehicles to explore.

“The food court will have food and coffee vans, or you can bring your own picnic lunch and drink bottle.

The ninth annual Gympie Little Kids Day Out will be held on Saturday, August 10, 10am-2pm at the Gympie Show Pavilion.

“We will also have our gold coin donation sausage sizzle which is the only fundraising the LKDO committee carry out.

“Thank you to Lion’s Club of Gympie for cooking on the day and Nolan Meat’s Social Club and Gympie Meat Hall for making the 1000 sausages.

“Attendees can enter a prize draw by submitting a feedback form at the gate as they leave. Prizes donated by Bunnings, Twiga Books, Toyworld, Nestle, Hartbeat Training, German Sausages, Tony Perrett, Mary Valley Rattler, Cooloola Christian College, Gympie ARC, Ready Set Dance, Matt Fiddes Martial Arts, and Cumulus Airpark will be in the draw. Winners will be notified on Sunday following the event.

“We aim to connect families with schools, early learning centres, sporting clubs, creative arts studios, support services, and local businesses who can support them.

“The winner of this year’s LKDO Picture Book Writing Competition will be announced on stage at 11:50am. We thank all the children from across the region for their entries.

“The winning book will be published, and copies will be printed for the winner, their school library, and the Gympie Regional Libraries. Finalist this year are Lydia Milne and Ben Beddows.”