Teacups, flowers, bright colors, good music – all that might be missing are the Mad Hatter himself and the sleepy dormouse singing the un-birthday song at the third annual Mad Hatter’s Garden Party. Hosted by the Deep River Public Library, the Friends of the Deep River Public Library, and the Deep River Garden Club, the fundraiser aims to raise money to maintain the grounds and gardens at the library.

“The town owns them, but the garden club maintains them,” said Janice Kmetz, president of the Garden Club. “You have a bunch of small groups in a small town working together.”

The children’s garden came into being as a tribute by Sage Novak to her late first husband Rob.

“The garden transformed the front right side of the library yard from a very shady area with little grass to a lovely colorful garden with flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees,” said Deep River Public Library Director Susan Rooney. “There is a winding pathway made with shells and a beautiful holly tree. Sage continually adds to the garden. Valley High School students help with mulching and weeding every year on Warriors in the Community Day.”

“We’ve held author talks in the garden, Miss Elaine uses it for picnic storytimes in the summer and will bring out the water table on hot days for the little ones to play with. Elementary school classes use the garden for various programs,” said Rooney. “The purpose of the fundraiser is to benefit the library garden and grounds. Last year we were able to install a much-desired irrigation system. We are hoping to soon install a new iron gate at the entrance of the library grounds to replace one that used to stand there.”

The theme itself was a collaborative effort between the groups, as is the planning of the event.

“It is held both inside and outside the library, because we used to hold it on a Sunday afternoon, which could get quite hot in July, so we could use the air conditioning inside,” said Kmetz. “There will be hor d’oeuvres, a champagne punch, wine, lots of twinkly lights; it’s a really fun and beautiful event.”

There will be live music thanks to the local band Butter Jones, which has donated entertainment to this event in the past. Adding to the fun and the Wonderland-theme, there will also be a teacup auction, where items and gift certificates donated by local merchants can be bid for by placing a ticket in a teacup. There will also be a silent auction for larger items. Fifteen to twenty merchants are expected to make donations.

But it wouldn’t be a true Mad Hatter’s Garden Party if there weren’t hats somehow involved—and that is why attendees are invited to come wearing their own “mad hat.” There will be a contest where all guests will vote on their favorite creative offerings.

“We’re hoping for another year with a great response,” said Kmetz. “We’ve usually had over 100 people in the past. It’s fun, a lot of members bring decorations. It’s a small town, you take pride in where you live—it’s really quite nice.”

“We felt everyone has fundraisers, so how do we make ours different. It was really a collaborative effort between the three groups,” continued Kmetz. “And it worked so well the first year that we decided to continue. We’re trying to do nice things that benefit everyone—I think this is going to be our best ever.”

The Mad Hatter’s Garden Party will take place rain or shine on July 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Deep River Public Library (150 Main Street). Tickets are $25 and on sale at the library.