Royalty will grace the Elder Citizen Recreation Centre with their presence Saturday, June 15 from 1 to 3 p.m., for the third annual Prince and Princess Tea and Parade.
This is a multi-generational event, inviting great-grandparents, grandparents, mothers and fathers to bring their little majesties to an afternoon filled with regal
activities.
The event started as a princess tea the first year but so many little princes showed up, organizer Kathy Nadalin, the former ECRA president who created the event, thought it better to be more inclusive and gave little brothers equal billing on the title.
In the meantime, Barb Claffey, former secretary of the ECRA, has taken over the reins from
Nadalin. Capacity at the rec centre is 125 and the event is always sold out.
"Quite often it's the grandparents and great-grandparents that are the driving force behind this event," said Claffey.
"Because it comes from the
centre, all of our people are involved and they will mention it to their children and grandchildren and it's a family outing for them. The first year I was amazed how the adults got into the spirit of it. They dressed up and brought their little princes and princesses who were also dressed up. The ladies wore dresses and the men wore suits and it was lovely. They really honoured the children."
There is special tea and cups suited for little hands.
"So tables are set very prettily," Claffey said of the decorating.
"The children can have juice and sandwiches. And as we keep saying, princes and princesses should not have to eat the crust, so we cut them off and there are decorated cupcakes for dessert."
It all makes for a really pretty picture, Claffey added.
"When the children first come in their eyes are so big as they look around," she said. "It's all so sweet. I just love it and it's a
feel-good day."
Volunteer Odelia Kranz is
organizing the fish pond, where every child gets a prize when they go fishing. Mystery bags are offered for $5 and are filled with goodies children are sure to enjoy.
"There's a craft table where children can make several things or colour and that's for free," said Claffey.
"We do musical chairs and we play it for different age brackets," said Claffey.
"The whole day is just a lovely fit for our seniors to enjoy and everyone, at any age, is welcome to attend."
There is a silent auction with a variety of items for sale including special dolls and for the adults, there are items such as dishes and tablecloths.
Door prizes include two family passes to The Exploration Place along with tickets to ride The Little Prince train that has been fully-restored and now rides the rails at Fort George Park on the weekends.
Tickets are $5 each in advance of the event by going to the ECRA office at 1692 10th Ave., or by
calling 250-561-9381.
