Photo by Erin Nelson.
A porcelain tea set, with apple juice and peanutbutter cookies, is set up on an outdoor table asEmersyn Nelson has a tea party.
The King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary has created a new fundraising afternoon that they hope will offer women a chance for relaxation and creativity.
The Mad Hatter Tea Party will combine all the classic enjoyments of a tea party with a competition among the participants to create and wear the most imaginative hat.
Former Alabama first lady and Auxiliary supporter Patsy Riley, who helped come up with the idea for the event, said she wants the tea party to be “one of those afternoons where we just stop, we get off the cell phone and the texting and we just enjoy seeing each other’s hats.”
“We live in such a very fast-paced world that we were looking for something that would be very relaxing, almost going back in time,” Riley said.
The attendees can decorate their hats as they choose, offering the opportunity to be “a little bit playful.” The women are also invited to bring their favorite teacup to the party. Riley, as a collector of teacups, said she is looking forward to seeing the variety of cups that day.
The tea party will include small sandwiches, scones, fruit and dessert, as well as a prize for the most creative hat.
King’s Home, located in Chelsea, serves women, children and adolescents fleeing domestic violence, homelessness, trafficking and other difficult situations.
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party will be on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Barn at Shady Lane, located in Bessemer. Tickets are $50 and corporate sponsorships are $1,000 and up, with all proceeds benefi ting the work of the King’s Home.