All of the weekend events and activities to take the clan to

From children’s book launches and crafting creations to stargazing and salsa dancing, here’s all the great activities and events happening in our region this weekend.

FULL STEAAM AHEAD: Nick Geraghty (left) takes Ricky, Dakota and Harrison for a ride on a Toowoomba Live Steamer. Photo: Nev Madsen

1. Paint and stitch your own floral design

MAKE an embroidery floral design and learn to use two techniques to create a unique artwork of your very own.

Design your own image or take inspiration from one of many supplied.

Join Elise Heather Designs in Wilsonton on Sunday from 10am-1pm for a morning of learning and creating.

This class has been designed for the complete beginner, with no prior experience with fibre art needed.

The cost of $80 includes all materials. Go to the Elise Heather Designs website.

Anika (left) and Cara Holzknecht with their mother Melanie Foreman enjoy a Live Steamers ride together. Photo: Nev Madsen

2. Take a little locomotive ride at Lemway Park

TOOWOOMBA Live Steamers is powering up their engines for a great afternoon of locomotive action in Lemway Park, Kearneys Spring this Sunday from 11am-4pm.

Head on down and enjoy a little steam adventure.

Tickets to ride are $2 each or you can get a multi pass which includes 10 rides for $18.

3. Support our first responders at the Brett Forte Memorial Cup

TOOWOOMBA Police are taking on the 7th Signal Battalion from Cabarlah this Saturday for the perpetual Brett Forte Memorial Cup. Previous games have been league matches as curtinraisers to the TRL League Legends game. This year, they are playing rugby 10s.

The event is held in honour of fallen police officer Senior Constable Brett Forte who tragically lost his life in 2017.

The proposed event will consist of an opening clash between the QPS and army for the Brett Forte Shield. The ledger currently sits at one all.

After the main match, there will be a series of round-robin style matches between the QPS, army, and two local teams, the Highfields Redbacks Dads and The Realtors Invitational team. This inaugural round-robin event is an initiative of Kate Pade from Pade and Donaldson Realty.

The event starts at noon at the Redbacks Rugby Union Highfields sporting complex at 220 Barracks Road, Highfields.

4. Learn how to play croquet

HEAD to the West Toowoomba Croquet Club on Sunday from 2-4pm for beginner croquet lessons.

This free five weeks of lessons starts this weekend and includes learning basic croquet skills, how to play a game as well as trying your hand at a mini competition at the final session.

Light refreshments are included.

Register online via the tickets button on the event’s Facebook page.

Lindsay McMillan at the West Toowoomba Croquet Club open day.

5. Spend Saturday night stargazing

WANT to experience the night sky up close and personal?

Head along to the Gumbi Gumbi Gardens at USQ from 6-8pm for a free stargazing night and have a look through one of the university’s telescopes and get the chance to view planets, nebulae, open and globular star clusters, planetary nebulae and much more.

6. Attend the Ma Ma Creek Markets

THE Ma Ma Creek Community Centre Markets are on this Saturday and will be featuring a health and healing theme with several extra stalls such as reiki, aroma point therapy, massage and readings on offer.

All the usual goodies will still be available including Fordsdale Organic vegies, pure local honey, authentic didgeridoos, plants, artists, Reinke’s Wurst, woodwork and so much more. Don’t forget to bring cash and your own shopping bags.

Children's author Rory H. Mather with his second picture book, Easter Hat-astrophe published by Scholastic Australia.

7. Attend a children’s book launch

HEAD along to the official launch of Get Back In Your Books! written by local author Rory H. Mather and published by Scholastic Australia.

Taking place at the Toowoomba Library Precinct on Saturday from 10am, there will be a story time session, craft, and Dymocks Toowoomba will be there selling copies that Rory can sign.

Book character costumes are encouraged.

8. Get those hips moving at Street Salsa

THE super popular Street Salsa sessions are back with a new timeslot from 1-3pm on Saturday in the Botanic Gardens section of Queens Park.

The first 30 minutes is for an introduction and some beginner guidance, while the second 30 minutes is a little more advanced and the last hour is for social dancing.

Beginners are welcome – just come along and jump in. The instructors will bring you up to speed with a few moves.

Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated to keep things going.

Dinkum Dinosaur is coming to the City Gold Club this Sunday.

9. Meet a dinosaur at the City Golf Club

IT’S going to be dinosaurs and non-stop children’s comedy rolled into a prehistoric titananosauric, volcano of laughs at the City Golf Club this Sunday from 10am.

Dinkum Dinosaurs are bringing their roaring show to town with a four metre-long dancing dinosaur, two cheeky and loveable dinosaur puppets and Ranger Jim.

Book your table to avoid missing out by calling the club on 4636 9000.

10. Load up on fresh produce at the Plainland Country Markets

TAKE the kids, the dog and the whole family down to the Porters Plainland Hotel on the Warrego Highway this Sunday for its August markets.

Selling fresh Lockyer Valley produce, flowers, plants, bread, eggs, coffee, food truck deliciousness, arts and crafts, candles and more, this local farmer’s market is held once a month from 7am-noon.