LAC LA BICHE – It was an event fit for royalty, and this year it took two days to accommodate all the little princesses who took part in the annual Princess Tea in Lac La Biche.
On Feb. 8 and 9, children and their families headed to the Lakeland Agricom for the annual Princess Tea. Those who attended this year’s event had a delightful time chatting with around a dozen princesses from popular Disney movies.
Tea, snacks, and a variety of delectable desserts were served to the girls and their families who took part in the tea party. During the event, kids could also get their hair and nails done.
According to Bev Tkachuk of the Lac La Biche Agricultural Society, the organization hosts the Princess Tea each year and tickets sell out quickly. So, organizers decided to hold the event over two days in 2025.
“We intend to continue with a two-day event,” Tkachuk told Lakeland This Week.
Each year, the Princess Tea has a Disney-inspired different theme.
While last year’s theme was ‘Under the Sea’ from the Disney classic ‘The Little Mermaid,’ for the first-ever two-day Princess Tea, organizers decided to go with ‘Beauty and the Beast.’
The theme involved gathering up red roses, wardrobes, building a library and a castle.
“We are constantly collecting props throughout the year to suit our scene that we’re going to do,” Tkachuk said. “We start a week in advance to set up for the tea.”
Many of the props for scenes are made by two local decorators, who also come up with the ideas for the Princess Tea themes. Some of the materials that are used are homemade, while others are purchased.
The Princess Tea, which has been taking place for over a decade is an important community event because it brings kids from all around Lac La Biche County together.
“It’s just extremely well supported,” Tkachuk said.
Some of the princesses at this year’s tea have attended in previous years, including seven-year-old Aria Tkachuk.
When asked what she enjoys most about the event, Aria explained that she likes having her nails and hair done and getting surprises.
And “Because you get to have fun,” Aria said, with a smile.
Oakley Brownlie, 11, was part of a contingent of young girls who served tea and snacks to the princesses and their families.
Brownlie has been at the Princess Tea a few times before, and said the Disney-themed afternoon is very fun.
Walking around with a teapot and talking with those in attendance was a great experience for her.
“It’s so cute to see the little kids, and just serving tea to them, and it just brings back fun memories that I had when I was a kid, because I love princesses,” she said.
Many well-known Disney characters could be seen walking around the Lakeland Agricom chatting with the little princesses, including Belle and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, Cinderella, as well as Anna and Elsa from Frozen.
Anna and Elsa were played by Kirsten Kidner and Amber Schultz, both of whom have dressed up as Disney princesses for prior Princess Tea events.
Schultz, who has been involved with the Princess Tea for six years, said the event is very upbeat and a lot of fun.
“The kids are so happy . . . You can’t help but feel the excitement,” Schultz said. “It’s just such a nice event we look forward to every year.”
For Kidner, this was her third year playing a Disney princess. The Princess Tea, she said, is entertaining, and she likes when the kids come into the Agricom and smile as they see their favourite princesses.
“It makes me so super happy to see them super happy like that,” said Kidner.
