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An iconic giant ice slide and lots of fabulous fresh fish will be among the highlights at Leigh Community Preschool’s annual Country Gala on Sunday October 25.
The traditional Labour Weekend extravaganza is the preschool’s major fundraiser, and last year it raised a record $18,000, which was used to upgrade the outdoor play area and facilities for its 3- to 5-year-old children.
Financial administrator Brenda Walton says a beautiful natural playscape has been created which is more in keeping with the preschool’s vision of engaging children with the natural environment.
“Children are now able to engage with and learn in nature using the creek bed, mud kitchen, various garden beds and fruit trees, as well as the huge new grassed area with a fun climbing mound and slide,” she says.
This year, gala funds will be used to maintain the new outdoor area, as well as improve the preschool’s long-term financial sustainability and create a contingency fund to cover any dip in enrolments.
Gala attractions in 2015 will include a vintage clothing pop-up shop, with pre-loved vintage and designer clothes and accessories, and a Mini-Farmers Market with local produce, plants, flowers and garden goods.
There will be plenty of food available, not least the ever-popular Leigh Fish burgers and spit-roast local lamb baps, plus traditional Devonshire teas and home made cakes. Prizes worth more than $10,000 will be up for grabs at the silent auction, while fresh snapper, smoked fish, oysters and local crayfish can all be won during the gala’s popular quick fire raffles, which start at 9.15am.
There will be the usual range of rides, bouncy castles, sideshows and sweet treats for the kids, while younger visitors will have their own special Small Wanderers zone, a fenced off area with activities including face painting, lucky dips, colouring competitions and jelly bean guessing games.
Info: Leigh Community Preschool Country Gala, Sunday October 25, 9am to 2pm, Leigh School grounds, www.leighpreschool.co.nz/gala-fundraiser
