Mad Hatter’s Luncheon Kick-Off Soiree
Mad Hatter’s Luncheon Announcement Party Revealed Theme Celebrating Spring in the South at an Elegant Evening Soirée hosted by Jennifer and Steve Houghton
Sara Friedman, Chair | Cindy Feld, Honorary Chair
(Featured photo: Cindy Feld, Honorary Chair; Therese Rourk, President; Steve Houghton and Jennifer Houghton, Hosts: Sara Friedman, Chair, Mad Hatter’s Luncheon.)
It was a wonderful sight of fantastic lights and holiday decorations that greeted guests at the front entrance of hosts Jennifer and Steve Houghton’s home as they welcomed everyone for the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon Announcement party. Themed “Candy Cane Lane,” each room in the Houghton’s home was resplendent in designs reflecting the boardgame Candy Land and its different stops along the way.
Sara Friedman, Mad Hatter’s Luncheon chair, welcomed guests as they entered and were offered cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres as they wandered through the colorful and fascinating rooms, enjoying the delicious bites.
Joining Sara were Therese Rourk, Women’s Council president and Cindy Feld, honorary chair as they gathered the crowd together for the big reveal. Therese welcomed everyone, thanking the hosts for their generous and gracious hospitality, and gave a brief overview of the Women’s Council.
Sara also welcomed the crowd saying how exciting it is to be Mad Hatter’s chair in this 37th year and unfurling the curtain from the poster, she announced the theme, Celebrating Spring in the South, to a resounding round of applause.
Hat Categories are reflected in the event’s logo: Dallas Blooms (best use of fresh botanicals); Kentucky Derby (most elegant); Mardi Gras (most over-the-top, outrageous creation); Jazz Fest (best group); The Masters (best in show) and Round Top (people’s choice).
Revealing more surprise announcements, Sara thanked Natalie Taylor for signing on as the first $25,000 sponsor and Donna Arp Weitzman for the first jewelry donation from the Cottonwood Market.
Slated for Thursday, April 17, 2025 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the 37th Annual Mad Hatter’s Luncheon will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a Welcome Reception, a stroll in the gardens and a Silent Auction while our discerning hat judges take note of the interpretations of this year’s theme. The beloved fashion show, presented by NorthPark Center and produced by Jan Strimple, will begin around noon. Hat Contest winners will be announced. This year, a Teacup Trophy will be awarded to the floral studio who donates the guests’ favorite floral arrangement to the Silent Auction.
Celebrating its 37th year, this fabulous party has been an ongoing fundraising event sponsored by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Monies raised assist with the development, growth and maintenance of A Woman’s Garden, a major garden at the Dallas Arboretum, and the only public garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women.
Guests travel from all over the United States, planning their trips to Dallas not only to take part in the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon, taking the theme as inspiration for their sophisticated, glamorous, and delightfully lavish hats, but to view the glorious springtime azalea displays and flowers that grace the Dallas Arboretum.
Everyone is encouraged to get their table sponsorships, underwriting and individual tickets signed up ASAP, as the event usually sells out by early spring. Patron tickets are $500 each. Sponsorships begin at $2,500.
For more information, tickets, sponsorships and underwriting benefits, visit the website at www.wcdabg.org or contact Sara Friedman, 214-335-9335, 2025MHrsvp@gmail.com
About the Women’s Council: Celebrating its 43rd Anniversary in 2025.
Since 1982 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. The support of over 600 members of the Women’s Council make possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. www.wcdabg.org
About A Woman’s Garden: Celebrating its 28th Anniversary in 2025.
A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women. Ablaze with color in every season, A Woman’s Garden is a living testament to the passion and vision of the Women’s Council founders and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design. Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion and unwavering commitment of the women who came before us and those entrusted with its care now, and into the future.
About Mad Hatter’s: Celebrating its 37th Anniversary in 2025.
In 1989, Carole Ann Brown chaired the first Mad Hatter’s Tea to bring awareness to the Women’s Council and the Dallas Arboretum. The tea was held in the Camp House garden for 100 ladies and raised $10,000. Over the years, Mad Hatter’s has been chaired by many notable Dallas ladies such as Linda Ivy, Barbara Bigham, Connie Carreker, Barbara Daseke, Patti Flowers and Allison Brodnax. Honorary Chairs have included some of the most philanthropic names in Dallas history such as Annette Simmons, Gene Jones, Caroline Rose Hunt, Tincy Miller, Sally Hoglund, Dee Wyly, Margaret Crow, Nancy Rogers, Amy Warren, Patty Dedman Nail, Sherwood Wagner, Laurie Sands Harrison and Kim Hext.
Finally, it would not be a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party without the hats. The creativity at Mad Hatter’s over the years has been impressive. Ladies have been inspired to create millinery creations based on Royal Ascot, Run for the Roses, April in Paris, Steel Magnolias, Under the Tuscan Sun and even Garden by the Sea. We have seen the Golden Age of Hollywood, have come Out of Africa into the Garden, enjoyed a Wonderland of Fashion while having Tea with Alice and Majestic Mad Hatter’s – A Celebration of English Elegance.
* Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, their fundraisers A Writer’s Garden, Mad Hatter’s Luncheon, and special announcements and membership meetings and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)
