Princesses take tea at Pilot Club event
DENHAM SPRINGS — Dozens of little girls were treated like royalty Saturday at the sixth annual Pilot Club of Denham Springs Princess Tea Party.
Girls between the ages of 2 and 10 arrived at the tea party in princess attire. Each girl received a tiara, a wand and a goody bag fit for the daughter of a king.
Instead of Earl Grey and scones, the young ladies enjoyed apple juice and snacks as they sat around tables decorated with pink and red roses.
The 65-70 girls were delighted to dress up as princesses, said Brandi Wascom, the mother of one of the youngsters.
Wascom’s 5-year-old daughter, Piper, wore a shiny teal costume with tulle around her shoulders and waist.
Piper often dresses like a princess while she plays at home and was thrilled when she had an opportunity to wear her princess outfit to the tea, Wascom said.
Wascom said she and her daughter attended the Princess Tea Party last year and looked forward to returning.
Several members of the Denham Springs High School Anchor Club dressed up as princesses and walked around to greet and take pictures with the girls.
The older princesses were the highlight of 2-year-old Hope Miller’s tea party experience, her mother, Jeana Miller, said.
The Denham Springs High School Anchor Club is sponsored by the Pilot Club of Denham Springs, Anchor Club member Lauren Frazier said.
“It’s a really fun group to be a part of,” said Mary Tran, Denham Springs High senior and member of the Anchor Club.
Tran said the Anchor Club helps out with several of the Pilot Club’s events.
The Pilot Club is a community service organization, said Cathy Shultz, former governor of Louisiana Pilot Club.
The club’s main focus is helping those with brain disorders, she said.
The Princess Tea Party previously consisted of a short program about brain disorders, but because most of the tea party guests were returning participants, the club decided to take the program off of the tea party’s agenda, Pilot Club of Denham Springs President Sybil Wallendal said.
Saturday, the guests participated in crafts and games.
The Princess Tea Party, which was held at First Baptist Church in Denham Springs, is a fundraiser for the Pilot Club, fundraising coordinator Terri Borde said.
The Pilot Club’s annual spring tea in March led to the idea for the Princess Tea, Shultz said. They enjoy the tea so much that they decided to extend the opportunity to little girls.
“It’s not a huge fundraiser, but it’s fun for us,” Shultz said.
The proceeds from the Princess Tea Party go to Livingston Parish community projects and schools, according to the Pilot Club’s website.
Schultz said some of the proceeds from the event help the club host parties for people diagnosed with brain disorders.
The club hosts parties every holiday at the Livingston Activity Center, she said.