Email This Page

English Country Fair At St. Columba's

Complete with a traditional English Devonshire Cream Tea, the annual Garden Party at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Middletown was held on a beautfiul Saturday recently, and brought enthusiastic crowds, ladies in hats, and traditional Morris Dancers to the grounds, with its lovely stone chapel.

The events comprised a Flower Festival in the Chapel, with creative interpretations from children's English literature, a concert by the St. Columba’s Choir, and performances by traditional Morris Dancers and the Ladies of the Rolling Pin.

Strolling the grounds, visitors found a plant and garden booth, a plentiful pantry with homemade baked goods, and a silent auction that lured bidders on tickets to Boston Red Sox box seats, Polo, Tennis, tickets to "Wicked" at PPAC, and the Boston Ballet. Art by Local Artists including Richard Grosvenor, Perry Lewis and Kate Hoyt Psaki, vacations, rounds of golf, and gift certificates to fine restaurants, jewelry, memberships to the Newport Art Museum and to the YMCA, and catered parties.

For children, there was a Royal Tea and puppet show by the Yorick Marionette Theater, a photo booth and Ye Olde Toy Shoppe featuring gently used toys. The imaginative children’s games featured Whack the rat is back!, coconut throw, bean bag toss, and a Suitcase Relay Race.

Warren Gray made balloon animal hats, and children enjoyed the petting zoo and pony rides.

All proceeds from the raffle and silent auction went to St. Columba’s Outreach program, which supports local social service agencies.

According the chairman Kate Field, the event raised 18% more than last year, an astonishing result in a struggling economy. ‘And a fine time was had by all,” she said.