'Teddy Bears Picnic' marks 90-years of Omagh native's classic song

OMAGH'S Grange Park celebrated 90 years of a famous song written by Omagh-native, Jimmy Kennedy at weekend.

The Teddy Bears Picnic event, held on Sunday afternoon, delighted young and old alike during nation 'Love Parks Week', which takes place annually from July 28 to August 6.

The theme of the summer event was chosen as it coincides with the 90th anniversary of the classic song of the same name.

The lyrics to Teddy Bears Picnic were written by Omagh born James (Jimmy) Kennedy, the recording, made in 1933, was a huge success, selling almost four million copies by the end of the decade.

On the day, attendees heard this iconic song and more of Jimmy Kennedy’s classics performed by the fabulous St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band, and also enjoyed Tom Sweeney’s ‘Tots and Teddy’ singalong, storytelling with Libraries NI and Games and Rhyme Time with LAST Sure Start.

Attendees also enjoyed a Biodiversity Bug Hunt and Tree Trail with council staff, Community and Wellbeing Summer Camp activities, a Teddy Bear Trail, Friendly Faces characters and facepainting, coffee and crepes, Ice cream and much more!

Indeed, Grange Park proved the ideal location for the picnic as Love Parks week commenced on Friday.

The week celebrates parks, green spaces and the dedicated volunteers and workers who look after them all year round.

These vibrant, living spaces bring communities together and provide an opportunity to connect with nature in the heart of our towns and neighbourhoods.

In the spirit of the week, visitors to the event were encouraged to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Grange Park with the rich biodiversity, wildflower meadow, walkways and open spaces as well as the wonderful Destination Play Park.