Christmas High Tea sparkles at Colfax

The High Tea in Colfax Saturday afternoon brought a capacity crowd with each table full. Above, happy attendees work their way down the food and drink table.

Scones, crumpets, gingerbread, sugar plums, cream puffs, champagne cocktails and five different high class teas made for an elegant setting at The Center Saturday for the Chamber's Christmas High Tea.

Nearly 50 people packed The Center for the event, including two young girls.

Chamber President Nancy Cochran said the event evolved from the Grandmother's High Tea in August.

“We had so much fun at the grannies’ tea, we decided to do another one,” she said.

Cochran noted that most of the people who attended this high tea, however, were different than those who attended in August. She said everyone seemed to have fun.

“They have already asked if we are going to do it next year,” she said. “It was a lot of fun.”

The afternoon event saw several people come dressed up. That was not required, but it added to the fun, Cochran explained.

“It wasn't a formal thing, but it was an elegant, upscale high tea,” she said. “They had so much fun because they got to dress up.”

Ten volunteers helped to make the food and desserts, and each group decorated their own table with heirlooms and collectables.

“It was all high tea style,” said Cochran. “It was very elegant.”

Cochran also noted that the two young girls who came each were given their own teapot full of hot chocolate.

The event cost $25 for each participant, a price that Cochran said was just above the cost. The proceeds will be donated to the Perkins House to be used as the Whitman County Historical Society sees fit.

Cochran said the participants enjoyed the atmosphere.

“One lady told me, 'this was so much fun to do because we don't do a lot of stuff for older people in town,'” Cochran reported.

Cochran also said the event seemed to boost business, at least at the Hen House Chicks, where shoppers came earlier and later around the event.

“It brought business to town,” she said.

Cochran said the Chamber enjoys putting on the high teas and hopes to continue them.

“Thanks to everyone who came and helped,” she said.