Tea party planned Sunday for all pickle 'princesses'
By Josh Ellerbrock
Published in News on April 1, 2014 1:46 PM
Tea parties don't necessarily need pickles, but the N.C. Pickle Festival needs a Pickle Me Pink Tea Party.
That's what pickle festival chairwoman Julie Beck decided four years ago, and this weekend, 20 to 30 little girls and their female guests will drink tea, eat food, wear fancy hats and do crafts in celebration of the start of Mount Olive's official pickle-themed festivities.
"She had this really good idea a few years ago, and she asked me to do it," event organizer Lynne Fulghum said. "She said, 'whenever I think about a tea party, I think about you.'"
Since its start four years ago, Mrs. Fulghum has run with the event. Attendees today experience a relaxing afternoon tea party in a comfortable environment.
This year's Pickle Me Pink Tea Party is scheduled for Sunday, April 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mount Olive Train Depot.
Mrs. Fulghum encourages girls and their "special guests" to come prepared in their best fancy dress.
"It's fancy, but it's comfortable fancy. I want everyone to dress up and put on their finest, but it's designed for little girls," she said.
During the actual event, girls will be able to take part in crafts, and every child will have a chance to build a stuffed animal. Crafts usually involve some sort of jewelry item and a picture frame where individuals can place photos taken during the tea party.
Attendees will also have access to a menu -- from chicken salad to cucumber sandwiches -- that Mrs. Fulghum describes as kid-friendly tea party food.
Those with hats can also enter in the best hat contest, where judges will choose the most creative and best fancy dress hats.
All ages are welcome at the event. From 9 months to 90, the event celebrates the diversity with recognition of the youngest and eldest attendees.
"We've had toddlers there, and they were fine. And my grandmother went when she was 95," Mrs. Fulghum said.
Tickets that will admit one little girl of any age and "her very special guest" are $25. For an adult with two little girls, tickets are $35.
For more information or to reserve tickets, contact the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce at 919-658-3113. Make checks payable to the Waylin Area Foundation, 123 N. Center St., Mount Olive, NC 28365.
The 28th annual N.C. Pickle Festival is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26. For a complete listing of pickle festival events, visit www.ncpicklefest.org.