Last year the Mad Hatter came down with the COVID blues and didn’t have his tea party. However, this year he’s ready and raring to go.
Mad Hatter Tea Party organizer Margaret Houben says “This much loved event will be taking place on March 12, at the Barriere Lion’s Hall, with the door opening at 11 a.m.”
The theme for this fun family event will be, “The Three Bears - Paddington, Pooh, and Rupert”.
“Everyone is to come wearing a hat – any kind of hat,” says Houben, “A silly hat, a fancy hat, or even just a plain old normal hat. Toques are acceptable, and even a simple kerchief would be fine.”
However, if you attend the Mad Hatter Party and forget to wear a hat - there will be a $5 surcharge at the door!
Houben says everyone has their fingers crossed that the event will be a go under the current Interior Health COVID protocols at that time.
“Assuming we get to hold the event, there will be the usual fun and games,” said Houben, “We will have judges to pick the best hats, and they will have prizes for the winners. There will be a game of Wonderland style croquet on the stage, and there will be prizes for those who play. We’ll also have door prizes, and Wonderland inspired puzzles and pictures to colour for those waiting their turn to play croquet.”
A light lunch (probably pizza) will be provided, and Houben says this will be the only expense for the event, as all of the prizes have been donated and the cost of the hall is being waived thanks to support from the Barriere Lions Club.
Houben tells that this year’s event will be a fundraiser for the Barriere Food Bank with all proceeds going their way.
Tickets to the event are being pre-sold with a limit of 50 tickets to attend based on Interior Health regulations regarding the current pandemic, with Houben noting they will gladly be accepting donations to the Food Bank as well.
“As COVID restrictions keep changing we have a plan for how we will be handling things,” said Houben, “As we sell tickets, we will collect the buyers name and phone number. If we are allowed to hold the event – perfect – bring your ticket, and remember to wear a hat, or you’ll face a surcharge of $5 at the door. The amount donated will be less than the cost of the lunch.”
Houben says the unknown regarding the pandemic, and if health regulations will permit their March event to take place has been prepared for in the event plan.
”If the limit of attendees for events is such that we can’t hold it, then the full amount collected will go to the Barriere Food Bank,” explained Houben, “Then we will use the list of ticket buyers to pull names for all the prizes we have for the event. Winners will be contacted and they can come and collect their prizes.”
Houben advises anyone who would like to purchase a Mad Hatter Tea Party ticket, can call Margaret Houben at 250-672-9330, or watch for her in the foyer at Barriere AG Foods, where at some point she will be selling tickets to the event.
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