Levin makes Children's Day activities free for all

A performance from Kate Martin School of Dance at Levin Adventure Park for the annual Childrens Day celebrations.

Every effort will be made to ensure the annual Children's Day in Levin remains completely free.

It was the 10th anniversary of Children's Day yesterday, held each year at Levin Adventure Park at the beginning of March, and organisers said it was the biggest turnout yet.

Oliver Barr took an old ambulance for a test drive.

Chairman of the Children's Day committee Therase Apatu said the event had grown each year and while it was celebrated in other towns New Zealand-wide, she believed the Levin event was the only one to be completely free.

Greer Tawhara found a missing stick in the sand at Levin Adventure Park.

Apatu said the committee worked hard to keep it that way.

"Each year it gets bigger. The main aim is to keep it all free. That's our focus," she said.

"We just hope and pray the weather will be good and we haven't been let down yet."

Lachire Roddick took his pet lizard Stinky to Levin Adevnture Park for Childrens Day.

The committee was grateful for the support Children's Day received, from donated sausages right down to volunteers who painted faces and stage performers who provided entertainment.

There were bouncy castles, musical instruments like drums and bass guitars to play, pets to pat, and fire engines to hop into to, and hoses to squirt.

Christine Merrick with Peanut and Pretty.

"We beg, borrow and steal and really want to keep it all free, because of the socio-economic demographic of the area," she said.

Whatu Oho and Levin Fire officer Sarah Knight have a go with a hose at Levin Adventure Park.

There was free entry to Levin Aquatic Centre Pool that afternoon too, between 2pm and 4pm.

Inti Palma-Mallon, 9, was smiling during her turn in the sponge stock.