Big day out for Teds, friends

Ariah Thorp gives her "Big Bear'' a cuddle at the Western Springs event. Photo / Jason Oxenham

There were hugs all round at Western Springs Lakeside, Auckland, yesterday.

Ariah Thorp, 3, who took along "Big Bear", and Dean Zhang, 1, who took his special friend, were there with the hundreds of families at the 31st Teddy Bears Picnic.

The free five-hour event included bouncy castles, face-painting, the Ronald McDonald Fun and Magic Show and the Magical Fairy Grotto.

Image 1 of 6: Tully Cook (3) with 'Poh Bear' at the Teddy's Bears Picnic at the Western Springs Lakeside. Photo / New Zealand Herald /Jason Oxenham.

There were also stage shows featuring characters from

Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan

and

Tinker Bell

.

Dean Zhang with his special friend at the Teddy Bears Picnic.

Public transport to and from the event was free for children under the age of 12 who were carrying a teddy bear.