AURORA - Much like the children's song, Saturday was the day the teddy bears had their picnic, as more than 30 children, parents and teddy bears gathered at the Aurora Free Library for the annual Teddy Bear Picnic.

Library director Sandra Groth said that the summer gathering has been going on for more than 20 years.

“We have this every year,” Groth said. “It sort of marks the end of our summer reading program.”

Groth said Saturday's turnout was good and that the event generally attracts anywhere from 30 to 40 children.

“There are people who know this is the same time every year,” Groth said. “And there are always new people who hear about it, word of mouth. But each year we generally have really good attendance.”

Among those spreading blankets out of the front lawn of the library and enjoying a sunny summer picnic lunch was Karin Moskov with her son Henry, 3, and her daughter Grace, 5.

Grace was accompanied by her teddy bear Rosie, while Henry had Bear Claw at his side.

“We just read about it in the paper,” Moskov said. “This is our first time here. We thought it would be a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, something fun for the kids to come out and bring their teddy bears and have a picnic. It's really nice.”

For others, like Carin Kopp, of King Ferry, with her daughter, Catherine, 7 and Catherine's friends, Hope Bassett, 8, and Lowry Miller, 4, the Teddy Bear Picnic has become a yearly tradition.

“We're here every year,” Kopp said. “As the other kids have gotten older we bring the younger ones. It is really great, just so much fun for the kids.”

While driving from King Ferry, Kopp said the girls put a lot of thought into which bears to bring and what to name each bear.

“They had a lot of fun with naming the bears,” Kopp said. “The whole ride here they really put a lot of thought into the names.”

Following lunch, guests were treated to a performance by Tom Knight, who, along with performing a variety of children's songs, also put on a puppet show.

“He has been here a few times before,” Groth said. “We try to have magicians, singers, puppets, things like that that will appeal to younger children and keep them entertained.”

And as children and parents alike sang and laughed the afternoon away, Groth was pleased to see the response to this year's picnic.

“The whole idea is to have a fun summer celebration,” Groth said. “A fun family event for people to come out and enjoy the day and have a picnic and just enjoy themselves.”