An estimated 60 mothers and their daughters gathered Sunday in the Skokie School Cafeteria for the 4th Annual Mother & Daughter Tea Party, hosted by the Winnekta Park District. The event gave daughters 4-8 years old a chance to dress up in their best party attire and take part in a grown-up ritual of a formal tea party with Mom as an early celebration of Mother’s Day.
Recreation Supervisor Toby Ross says events like these are good opportunities for community members to enjoy intimate local events with their family members without having to go into the city for celebrations such as Mother’s Day.
“I’ve been really surprised at how interested our younger attendees have been in trying out new teas,” Ross said.
Ashley O’Brien of Winnetka and daughter Olivia O’Brien, 5, said they are tea connoisseurs because they are Irish and looked most forward to tasting the variety of teas.
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“The chance to spend uninterrupted one-on-one time with my daughter is really priceless,” O’Brien said.
Event sponsor Peet’s Coffee served a variety of teas, standards such as an Earl Gray black tea, fresh mint and jasmine green, along with new fruitier varieties like chamomile citrus and berry hibiscus.
“We are tight with the Winnetka Park District and like to participate in events for the kids in our community,” said Peter Bex, shift lead at Peet’s Coffee in Winnetka.
The Grand Food Center provided a menu of tea sandwiches and bite-sized assorted cakes and scones.
Natalie Hartung, head photographer at Classic Kids Photography of Winnetka, was on hand to create portraits of mother and daughters.
“We just celebrated our 20th anniversary in April and as a staple in the community it’s fun for us to see families that we’ve photographed before and to meet new ones at the Mother & Daughter Tea Party event,” Hartung said.
“It’s a good way for us to give back to the community with our time and our talents,” Hartung said.
Musical accompaniment by harpist Kara Bershad added a note of elegance to the afternoon’s festivities and this year daughters had a new opportunity to decorate their own tea pot for mom.
Amy Maciejewski of Winnetka attended with daughter Sydney, 5, and said they are new to the community and have been impressed with the programming provided by the Winnetka Park District.
“Just getting to spend time with my daughter when they grow up so fast is really something special,” Maciejewski said.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter.