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Where was Alice? Mad Hatter's "Wonderland" at Ballard Park

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?" - Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

A lollipop tree!

The Friends of Ballard Park, under the guidance of Executive Director / creative superstar Colleen McGrath, orchestrated another magical romp into Wonderland for the children of Newport, at the second annual "Mad Hatter (Iced) Tea" party, held on the park and quarry grounds. The annual event brings Lewis Carroll's classic tale to life, with impractically long tea tables, heaps of cupcakes and tiny sandwiches, and a scavenger hunt through the woods, where children encounter their favorite characters and must perform challenges to collect stickers, with prizes awarded to the fastest teams to complete every activity.

Carol Ballard (who, with her husband Les Ballard) donated the parkland to the city) enjoyed the atmosphere, helping children to reach different treats and to take photos at large painted boards with cutout faces where they could smile and pretend to be Alice or The Red Queen. Many arrived in actual costume; others came in their garden party best. There was also a hat-making station, like last year, where paper bags were transformed into glittering, feathered, sequined, puffy-painted works of millinery art. American Girl doll “Rebecca” was a highlight of the child-friendly silent auction.

Alison Murphy & Avery Royal

Board Vice President and Treasurer Peggy Richmond attended the party, as did the Wood-Prince family, Anna Miles, Alison Murphy, Joannah Daly, Catie Benzak, RJ Coulter, Christina Connett, Catherine Brophy, and more. Alice In Wonderland characters were acted by Siobahn Donovan, Margot Goddard, Emily Hook, Mary Jenkins, Avery Mey, Lauren Sullivan, and Agnes Thompson.

The scavenger hunt was a heated competition for some and more of a cheerful frolic for others, but as the afternoon went on, rumbles of thunder could be heard in the distance of an otherwise warm and intermittently sunny day. Newport Seen had already left before the sky opened and a brief deluge began, but we heard from Colleen later that the party was still a big success despite the fickle weather.

“'I know they're talking nonsense,' Alice thought to herself: 'and it's foolish to cry about it.' So she brushed away her tears, and went on as cheerfully as she could. 'At any rate I'd better be getting out of the wood, for really it's coming on very dark. Do you think it's going to rain?'

"Alice" greets a young girl

Tweedledum spread a large umbrella over himself and his brother, and looked up into it. 'No, I don't think it is,' he said: 'at least -- not under here. Nohow.'

'But it may rain outside?'

'It may -- if it chooses,' said Tweedledee: 'we've no objection. Contrariwise.'” - Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

To learn more about Ballard Park, visit www.BallardPark.org

--Amanda M. Grosvenor