To rev up the creative juices for the 2025 Mad Hatter’s Tea, The Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum President Therese Rourk and 2025 Mad Hatter’s Chair Sara Friedman tonight found the season’s ideal example of whimsical dazzle at Jennifer and Steve Houghton‘s home, where each room represented a different “Candy Land” location. From Nutcrackers of all sizes to snowmen just chilling, even the Mad Hatter’s White Rabbit would have been impressed.
And the gals weren’t holding back with their announcements. In addition to having Cindy Feld as the honorary chair for the fundraiser on Thursday, April 17, the event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a champagne reception including the judging of hats and a silent auction.
Just before noon, the program will get underway in Rosine Hall with a fashionable showing of clothes provided by NorthPark Center merchants with Jan Strimple heading up the production.
Following the grand finale of the winners of the hat competition, guests will adjourn for lunch.
To provide guests fodder for their brain cells and inspiration for their glue guns to prepare for the competition, Sara revealed the categories inspired by the 2025 theme — “Celebrating Spring In The South” — would include the following:
- Dallas Blooms (best use of fresh botanicals)
- Kentucky Derby (most elegant)
- Mardi Gras (most over-the-top, outrageous creation)
- Jazz Fest (best group)
- Round Top (peoples’ choice)
- The Masters (best in show)
An additional award will be the Teacup Trophy for the floral studio that donates the guests’ favorite floral arrangement for the silent auction.
As for the naming of the judges, Sara’s keeping that under her hat for now.
* Graphic provided by 2025 Mad Hatter’s Tea