Nederland's Carousel of Happiness throws a Tea Party
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What better way to start a tea party than with a spin on the carousel?
A full table, all visitors dressed to the nines for an authentic and magical Tea Party hosted at the Carousel of Happiness.
The Carousel of Happiness lived up to its name with all the beautiful smiles their Tea Party created.
Facepainter extraordinaire Ty Pelkey helped spread the magic for the event.
From left to right: Bobby Sheets, Liam Bishop, and Baelin Braun with the City of Louisville’s VOLoCITY youth volunteer program helped to keep the event running.
The smile on this rider's face is proof the Carousel of Happiness is aptly named.
Some of the helpers who toiled behind the scenes to make the special event that much more magical.
One sugar or two?
One of the helpful young servers attempts to delicately move a troublesome macaroon.
A "wonder wall" of sorts encircled the carousel, with visitors writing down their wonders and connecting them to the ever-growing chain.
Andy Reiner and his bear friend tune up for the tea party, with Reiner showcasing the wondrous sound of the mandocello.
The beautiful and ornate tea sets were supplied by Rocky Mountain Vintage.
A full table, all visitors dressed to the nines for an authentic and magical Tea Party hosted at the Carousel of Happiness.
NEDERLAND — The Carousel of Happiness harbors many joyful moments for spirited folk of all ages. It is a spinning wonder for those who visit; a feat of perseverance to those who understand its story; and a beacon of hope for those who have lived its history. Most of all, it is a source of merriment that will forever hold special places in our memories.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the carousel became exactly that for tea enthusiasts and lovers of fine culture (and big hats) as they engaged in the festivities of the very first Tea Party at the Carousel of Happiness.
Those who purchased tickets for the prestigious event were encouraged to dress in their finest of fineries, to ride on the glorious carousel, and to sit among their friends and gab and laugh in the afternoon sun while served tea and scrumptious bites—all while a live musician provided the perfect accompaniment.
“This entire event is a true community experience,” Sarah Banker, Assistant Director for the Carousel of Happiness, named all those who lent a helping hand to make the tea party such an authentic experience.
Uproot Florist made beautiful bouquets for the tables; the tables and linens were donated by the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church; Dr. Bekah Drum from Vantage Wellness Ministry provided a Photo Booth and assisted with decorations; Angelyn Ritt also assisted with decorations and crafted her own unique handmade ones; and Rocky Mountain Vintage supplied beautiful, ornate tea cups, kettles, saucers, goblets, plates, and gold silverware.
The Boulder Tea Company supplied the delicious flavors of hot and cold tea—including a strawberry lemonade herbal tea that’s perfect for the summer—and Mountain People’s Co-Op whipped up a delectable menu of sweet and savory puff pastries, varieties of finger sandwiches, shortbread cookies, lemon squares, and macaroons.
This first-of-its-kind event was a perfect fit for the Carousel of Happiness, as the magical atmosphere of being surrounded by colorful animals, bolstered by sparkly dresses, big hats, bold-colored shirts, and butterfly wings, transformed the building into a secret garden grotto.
This atmosphere was expertly curated by the fantastic Ty Pelkey, whose facepainting emboldened the spirit within every young tea drinker, and Andy Reiner, whose live music transported partygoers to that magical grotto with every pluck of the strings on his mandocello.
A very special thanks and congratulations to the Carousel of Happiness team for their work organizing such an iconic event, and to Emily Perry with Indian Peaks Real Estate for sponsoring the first ever Tea Party.
Also, thank you to all those mentioned who contributed their services and supplies, as well as to Bobby Sheets, Liam Bishop, and Baelin Braun with the City of Louisville’s VOLoCITY youth volunteer program, to Jill King with Rocky Mountain Vintage, Jolie with Mountain People’s Co-Op, and all the others who helped behind the scenes.
