Politics & Government

Parade of Hats Showcased at Rotary's Mad Hatter's Tea Party (Photos)

The Rotary Club of South Brandon hosts the Fifth Annual Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the Cross Creek Ranch bed and breakfast and event facility in Dover.

 

The annual Mad Hatter's Tea Party hosted by the Rotary Club of Brandon South serves as a major fundraiser for the group's yearlong support of Greater Brandon non-profits and charities.

Beneficiaries of Rotarian goodwill include the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), the Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center, American Cancer Society, Bell Shoals Children Services' summer camp, Ronald McDonald House, Hands of Hope, Brandon Outreach Clinic and Rotary's Camp Florida.

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Food is donated and tables are sponsored, which prompted Rotarian Lori Bukaweski to thank the Feb. 19 gathering and supporters for their donations, "so we can do all the wonderful things we do again this year."

Each table is given a straw hat to build upon in the weeks leading up to the event. At the event, a person is chosen to wear that hat in the "Parade of Hats," at which time the attendees "vote" for their favorite hat by placing dollars in buckets.

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This year's winning hat, representing a table sponsored by the Osprey Observer, was crafted by Denise Graf, in the shape of a teapot crafted out of playing cards.

(See, Rotary's Award-Wining Mad Hatter's Tea Party Hat a Family Affair.)

This year's food sponsors included The Catering Company, Wal-Mart Market, Tres Amigos, Chick-fil-A (Lake Brandon Village), Zaxby's, Firehouse Subs, Genghis Grill, Ms. Cyndi's Catering Company, Jaymer-Q BBQ and More and the Tea Cup Tea Room.

 


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