The 12th annual Wonderland Tea Party and Egg Hunt was held at Rock Castle State Historic Site on April 2. As one of Middle Tennessee’s largest spring celebrations, Wonderland attracted over 1,000 children and their parents who enjoyed the food, fun and festivities on the mild Sunday afternoon.
During the event, there were two hunts featuring over 120,000 plastic eggs spread across the grounds of Rock Castle. Children eagerly filled their baskets with eggs containing candy, and occasionally finding special eggs that contained prize tokens.
To prepare for the hunts, Rock Castle Executive Director Sam Gilbert recruited over 100 students from area schools, including Hendersonville, Beech, Station Camp and Liberty Creek high schools, Pope John Paul II Preparatory School and Ellis Middle School.
While the egg hunts drew the most participants, the most unique aspects of Wonderland were the two VIP tea parties held in the Rock Castle woodlands. Each party was a limited attendance event, in which children enjoyed treats and drinks while being entertained by beloved Wonderland characters Alice, the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter.
“The tea parties have grown in popularity since their inception, and we fill up our available slots quickly every year,” says Rock Castle Director Education & Events Jess Gilbert. “I am grateful for all of our sponsors and volunteers that help make this event possible. I also want to thank the actors from Character Visits 4 U who help ensure that every child and their parents enjoy a memorable day together.”