Tahoe’s Connection for Families will host its ninth annual Tahoe Teddy Bear Picnic on Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Aspen Grove in Incline Village.

In the event rain, the picnic will be moved to Incline Elementary School at 915 Northwood Blvd.

At this fun family event, kids and their teddy bears (or stuffed animals of choice) visit arts, crafts, game, and activity stations. This year’s guests will enjoy Bear Birthday Party, Camping, Face Painting, Bear Doctor and Dentist Check Up, Super Hero stations, and more. There will also be an infant play area, sensory station, bounce house, and a balloon twister!

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“Tahoe Teddy Bear Picnic is a wonderful time for families with young children,” TCF Founder and Director of Education Laurean Meyer said. “The children really enjoy the bear themed activities. Each year the time flies by for the children because they have such a blast, so get there early.”

My 5 year old is counting down the days and I can’t wait to see all the kids smiling, having a blast with their stuffed animals!

A $35 Bearific Ticket includes a teddy bear, TCF water bottle, drawstring backpack, juice box, raffle tickets and more! A $15 General Admission Ticket includes unlimited access to the bounce house and teddy bear themed booths and activities. Food will be available for purchase from local vendor Bam! Dogs food truck and live music by Brooke Chabot will be enjoyed by all!

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Lake Tahoe School, Tahoe Expedition Academy, St. Clare’s Montessori, Truckee Pediatric Dentistry, Tahoe Speech Therapy, Allstate, MOPs at Cornerstone, Liz Skidmore Baking Co., Incline Martial Arts, Incline Village Urgent Care, BEAR League, Incline Village Nursery School, Washoe County Preschool, and more will be part of the activities. Additional businesses like Sunshine Bakery, Raley’s, and Safeway have also provided donations to show their support of TCF and our community. This year’s event also has an amazing raffle thanks to community business and family donations.

Families and volunteers have contributed to ensure the Teddy Bear Picnic’s success and to make sure a wonderful time will be had by all. It takes a village to provide the needed funds and the manpower to make the event as amazing as it is and our village has exceeded expectations.

This is the fifth year I have been involved with the Teddy Bear Picnic. Each year I have truly been moved by the power of our community coming together. TCF is so grateful as volunteers offer their time, and companies and families willingly sponsor or donate. My 5 year old is counting down the days and I can’t wait to see all the kids smiling, having a blast with their stuffed animals!

The Tahoe Teddy Bear Picnic is a great place to mingle with friends and get to know other families in our community. Kids can bring their teddy bears to join in on a bear-y good time or bears can be purchased at the door while supplies last. Tickets can be purchased at TCF (761 Northwood Blvd.), online at http://www.tcfkids.org, or by calling (775)832-8230. Guests may also pay at the door.

All proceeds from the event support Tahoe’s Connection for Families. TCF is a nonprofit organization in Incline Village that provides parenting education and early childhood development programs for families with infants to children up to age five. Founded in 2001, TCF has served thousands of families in Incline Village and North Lake Tahoe.

This article was submitted by Tahoe’s Connection for Families. For more information call 775-832-8230 or visit http://www.tcfkids.org.

Kim Warren is executive director of Tahoe’s Connection for Families.