Correspondent
ASHBY — Tiaras, tea and cookies were the order of the day as aspiring princesses and princes took part in Miss Emma’s Tea Party at the Ashby Free Public Library.
Some came with their moms, some with their teachers and some even brought their dads. Some dressed in gowns and put on a crown.
The energy level was high for the morning tea party. Nearly 20 guests were greeted by Debbie Smith, of Leominster, who ran the program.
The children sat at two tables and immediately got busy decorating a tiara. Princess-themed music played in the background. The adults helped the artists and took lots of pictures.
Each child had a real china cup and saucer to add to theme of royalty. Smith poured tea-colored juice into the cups and gave every child a crown-shaped cookie on a lace doily. Smith told the crowd there were no nuts used in the baking.
The children quieted while assistant librarian Jeanie Lindquist sat in a pink-gauze-draped throne and read a story. Teachers and students from the Together We Grow pre-school on Piper Road in Ashby listened closely.
Smith was relaxed and allowed the children plenty of time to work on their tiaras and socialize. Children and adults enjoyed the crafts. One dad was seen wearing two tiaras.
Smith said she began hosting princess tea parties after her daughter Emma’s third birthday party. Emma is now 5 and was on hand to help her mother set up in the crafts room in the library’s children’s section.
Through her business, Miss Emma’s Tea, Smith holds numerous princess tea parties throughout the year. She said birthday parties for nine to 12 children are a big hit.
She provides linens, real china and silverware for the private parties. Twice a year she holds a Miss Emma’s Tea Princess Party at the Best Western Royal Plaza in Fitchburg. This event is limited to 100 partygoers and lasts for two hours.
She also holds smaller parties, open to the public, at the Mia Bella Spa in Leominster.
Although Smith was on her own for the Ashby party, the Little Mermaid, Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty can be booked to appear at a princess tea party. These characters are played by professional singers.
The party-goers were smiling and giggling as they left the festivities
