What can I say but with every event a little rain must fall.
Actually this is the British Tea Tent, which was set up last Friday
and ready to go for Saturday.
During the night the sprinklers came one and soaked everything.
So with the opening time of 9:30AM we pulled all the tables and chairs out of the
tent at 8:30AM to let the sun dry out the chairs, tables, and tablecloths.
At 9:30AM we pulled everything back in the tent and set up for the first event
in the tent at 10AM. We made it with some damp tablecloths, but we made it!
The teacups had to all be wiped down too,
but thankfully no food was there yet.
At 10AM the first event was set to begin.
Thanks to the presenters for helping to dry things off.
Let the festivities begin!
Lisa Hand and her two assistants came in full Victorian costume.
The presentation was Afternoon Tea and Victorian Pretties.
A cream tea was served as Lisa shared.
The scones were provided by Newberg Bakery and looked delicious.
The tea for my tent was provided by Twining Tea.
Magazines were provided by Tea Time Magazine.
Flowers, teacups, and tablecloths came from my own home.
The second event was Teri Gelber of T-Project, a local tea shop,
sharing tips for blending your own tea.
Teri is a former food editor for a Los Angeles newspaper,
so blending tea for her is just like creating new recipes.
The third event of the day was Emily Martin, the sales rep for Twining Tea.
She shared the story and history of Twining Tea.
I was fascinated by the new product they are coming out with next year.
It is a teabag that you can toss in your tea canister, shake, and have
a lovely bottle of flavored water much like what you buy in cans and bottles now.
With this product you will be able to use and reuse your own container.
Since I don't often have opportunity to visit the full festival,
this year I planned a 50 minute break to quickly make my way
through the other events.
It was quick for sure because there were close to 50 vendors.
I always make a brief stop to see what is happening in the back
of the vendor area.
Lots of tea sipping for sure!
Then entering the big tent is where you find the most action and people.
Everyone was enjoying themselves and definitely tasting tea.
The tea farmers, Jason and Timmy, came from Mississippi.
It was great fun to meet them in person.
My dear friend, Ana, was helping out at the Floating Leaves vendor booth.
In the back Shuiwen was serving tea.
Lucky were the ones that got to sit with her there.
Everywhere you could see beautiful teaware and people sitting or standing with a cup of tea.
Back at the tent there was another cream tea and music.
Mike Doolin, a local guitarist, serenaded the attendees as they nibbled
on scones, fruit, and sipped tea.
The table at the front was holding the free tea and magazine.
Many stopped by to help themselves.
Babette Donaldson, author of the Emma Lea books, shared on having tea with children.
It was fun to sit in on this and watch our one little attendee picking
out books from Babette's table to look at.
And at the end of the British Tea Tents day was one final speaker, me.
I spoke on taking tea outdoors, my all time favorite thing to do.
Not really being a speaker this is a real learning experience.
I will be doing this same talk in October for a tea shop in town.
By the end there wasn't as much sipping,
I think people had their fill for the day.
It was another good year with close to 2000 in attendance.
Maybe next year you will plan a trip to Portland, Oregon during tea festival time?
If not, just come on over and sip tea with me.
