Victorian Spring Tea Celebrates Mothers
May 16, 2024 11:21AM ● By Matthew Malone
Red Hat Society members enjoy the Elk Grove Historical Society’s annual Spring Tea. Photo by Matthew Malone
ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Elk Grove Historical Society on May 11 let locals show off their fanciest hats and clothes at its annual Spring Tea.
For many families, the event at the society’s location in the northwest corner of Elk Grove Regional Park also served as a chance to treat Mom just in time for Mother’s Day.
Historical society member Dinah Withrow said that this was why she invited her daughter to the tea. Withrow helped organize the event’s silent auction.
“We enjoy it because it’s really fun to have lunch with your friends and most of them invite their mother because this is for Mother’s Day,” Withrow said.
Withrow was dressed in keeping with the tea’s theme of “Victorian Era Courtship,” with a lacy blouse and a period skirt. She assembled her outfit from online retailers and local business Americana Vintage Market.
About an hour into the festivities, society Second Vice President Susan Hernandez said the tea was going very well.
“It’s gone smoother than it ever has in the past,” she told the Herald, noting that 40 volunteers aided her in putting on the party.
For their meal, attendees ate a “typical English tea” catered by The Sweet Spot Bakery: finger sandwiches with cream cheese, cucumber and pimento; a chopped salad; mini quiches; and a croissant filled with chicken salad.
“We all get so excited about getting dressed up because we never do. Really, we don’t do that anymore,” Hernandez said. “And I think some of them (the attendees) look for a hat for a year beforehand and plan their outfits.”
Spring Tea proceeds go toward the society’s basic expenses, such as the electric bill, and guests learn more about the historical buildings that the society maintains. But beyond the benefits for the historical society, Hernandez said, the tea’s value lies in how it fosters community.
“People that have never gotten together before, don’t know each other, say, ‘I didn’t know about this,’ and ‘I’m coming next year and I’m going to tell all my friends,’” Hernandez said. “It’s very popular because people socialize and we’re getting a better mix of the community, too, which I’m encouraging, to try and make it more multicultural.”
For more information about the Elk Grove Historical Society, visit its website at elkgrovehistoricalsociety.com.
Elk Grove Spring Tea [6 Images]
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