Get ready for an epic Play Outside Ngala Day and Suitcase Rummage this Saturday

Posted on 2 May, 2024

This Saturday, Haig Park is the place to be. Because from 11 am until 3 pm, there will be something for absolutely everyone.

That’s because this Saturday is Ngala (Play Outside) Day – a celebration of our wonderful trees and what better place to celebrate than under the gorgeous Monterey Pine trees of Haig Park?

‘Ngala’ is the Ngunnawal word for ‘many trees’ and was generously gifted by the United Ngunnawal Elders Council to Haig Park, breathing even more life into one of Canberra’s most revitalised green belts.

Presented by the City Renewal Authority, Haig Park will spring to life from 11 am, with a new installation of fairy tea party seating, hand carved from logs and created especially for Ngala Day.

Fairy Tea Party seating.

Make sure you’re there to watch Escape From Plastika (feature image) at 11.30 am and 1.20 pm – a hilarious and dynamic theatre and dance show by Australian Dance Party all about preserving our natural environment that’s perfect for those 12 years and younger.

Escape From Plastika.

Developed with assistance from the Canberra Theatre Centre, University of Canberra and Ainslie School and is presented in partnership with ACT NO Waste and the Recyclopaedia, young families will love watching the free 40-minute performance play out on the City Renewal Authority’s new log play installation, giving everyone a fresh way to relate to the important messages of Tree Week.

There will also be charcoal tree drawing, making clay faces for trees, slacklines to play on and hammocks for you to relax in, cubby-making supplies for the young and young at heart, picnic stalls and live music from Johnny Huckle.

For older visitors, a huge draw will be the Suitcase Rummage, a free form market where sellers display their handmade or second-hand wares in suitcases to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for browsers and shoppers alike.

The perfect way to grow your winter wardrobe while helping the environment or pick up a special handmade gift (Mother’s Day is next weekend, hint hint), Suitcase Rummage is a mecca for op-shop lovers and with just a few market dates each year, you won’t want to miss out.