By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

GARYVILLE — San Francisco Plantation provided the perfect setting for the River Region Arts and Humanities Council’s latest fundraiser, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and Fashion Show.

Taking advantage of the current popularity of “Alice in Wonderland,” the event drew a crowd of brightly outfitted children, accompanied mostly by mothers and grandmothers, to the plantation that looks as if it were ripped from the pages of a fairy tale itself.

The party featured tea party-style morsels such as cucumber sandwiches and petit fours, a fashion show with local models showing off the latest in children’s and women’s wear and a silent auction.

“It was wild. There were lots of kids,” said Suzanne Friloux of the RRAHC.

The reason for the fundraiser was the annual grants the organization awards. Each year, the RRAHC awards $30,000 in grants to promote the arts throughout the tri-parish area. This round of grants will be awarded on Jan. 6.

RRAHC President Judy Mackles said the organization usually awards 35 to 40 grants each year.

There is a $1,000 maximum on the awards. All the funding for the grants comes from fundraisers such as this one, member dues and charitable donations.

“It’s a 100 percent volunteer organization,” said Mackles. “We have minimal expenses.”

For more information on the River Region Arts and Humanities Council, visit www. rrahc.org.