New Things to Come at the 3rd Annual Garden Tea Party & Fashion Show at Featherstone

While the Chair of the 3rd Annual Garden Tea Party at is once again Judy Cunniffe, there are several new things planned for this year's event while many of the previous year’s traditions remain.

For starters, Cunniffe has recruited two new fashion show coordinators: Susan Garrett and Susan Potter who have secured 16 Vineyard retailers and Island designers.  Of the 16, this year will include new five new stores: , , Suka, and . There is even a unique ensemble featuring children's dancewear with capes and crowns to be presented by Gabriella Camilleri and Lucinda Sheldon. And Michael Hunter of is expected to present a thrilling new fashion statement.

As the models present fashions from the 16 participating stores, they will walk to music presented by new music coordinator DJ Di.

The Art of Flowers Show with Guest Curator: Holly Alaimo will coincide with the Garden Tea Party this year and so look for a strong focus on the "flowering" entrance to the elegant tent with campus flowers by and True North Flower Company. There will also be a display of "garden settings" from Tracker in Edgartown.

As always, there will be prizes given for the best hats. This year prizes will come from new partners and , along with the traditional Frosty Hollow Orchids.

Also new this year, artist Traeger DiPietro, is offering a special painting to be raffled, courtesy of and . And this year’s raffle will include participating store gift certificates and all raffle prizes will be awarded at the end of the fashion show.

Of course there will be tea sandwiches – this year provided by Herring Run Kitchens and not to worry, as is Featherstone’s tradition, desserts will be provided by .

The 3rd Annual Garden Tea Party at Featherstone, May 12th from 2 pm - 4 pm,  $40 per person, Reservations Required. Seating will be at tables of eight. RSVP by May 5th