Southern Hill Farms gives out the royal treatment

Once upon a time in the enchanted land of Southern Hill Farms, King David Hill and Queen Lisa Hill cordially invited princesses from far and wide across the kingdom to their castle for a Royal Tea Party Saturday, May 30.

Dressed in their most beautiful ball gowns and shiniest tiaras, dozens of princesses arrived at Southern Hill Farms ready for a tea party they wouldn’t soon forget. 

Some princesses’ ball gowns were those of their favorite Disney princesses — Cinderella to Ariel to Tiana and Belle. 

Just outside The Hide, King David drove the princesses around in a gorgeous white and gold carriage. He took them around his land, seeing all of Southern Hill Farms’ subjects picking blueberries and participating in other activities across the land.

The princesses walked into the rustic yet elegant ballroom and saw the light from the three dazzling chandeliers glisten and dance around the room. 

Every table was topped with the finest china ready for mid-morning tea and a three-course meal. 

Some princesses were presented with a lush bouquet of zinnias, fresh from the fields at Southern Hill Farms.

Princesses were giddy and eager to meet three fairytale legends, all of whom traveled from far away kingdoms to be at the tea party. 

One swam all the way from the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. Princess Ariel traded in her mermaid fins for “what do you call’em, oh, feet” to be where the people are, part of their world. Don’t worry, she didn’t use any dinglehoppers (forks) to comb her hair. 

Fairy Godmother bibbidi-bobbidi-booed her way to the tea party with her magic wand. 

Princess Tiana was able to break away from her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace, in New Orleans, long enough to enjoy the party.

The princesses were able to take photos with Tiana, Ariel and Fairy Godmother, capturing a moment of magic. 

As soon as Arya Trujillo, who is 2 years old and dressed as her favorite mermaid, saw the real-life Ariel, a big smile came across her face. She allowed Ariel to envelop her in a hug before they chatted about her silver sparkly heels. When Arya’s golden tiara accented with seashells began to fall on her head, Ariel was quick to adjust it. 

When Fairy Godmother saw the numerous princesses dressed as Cinderella, she was impressed.

“That is some of my best work,” she said of the blue gown. “I’m very proud of this one.”

Princesses of all ages attended the tea party. 

Vikiana Torres chose to celebrate her 40th birthday Saturday, May 30, at the charming party, spending time with her friends Jimena Quartieri and Luisana Alana.

“We are the kids today,” Quartieri said. 

Vicki Jakubowski has a birthday tradition she started three years ago in which she is allowed to dress her granddaughters however she pleases. They then go to restaurants for a celebratory birthday dinner in the dresses and sometimes princess ball gowns or they’ll go to the park or to enjoy ice cream. They’ve had several tea parties on their own.

Jakubowski never knew her birthdays were training to become a fairy godmother, and the tea parties were preparing the girls to be surrounded by other royalty. This year, she picked a pink floral dress for 5-year-old Stella Pearl, a blue floral dress for 5-year-old Olivia Jakubowski and a purple dress for 7-year-old Tori Pearl. 

Stella Pearl’s and Tori Pearl’s outfits were accented with lace gloves to match their outfits.

Each of the little princesses had the perfect accessories to step up their royal outfits: pearl necklaces and bracelets as well as a tiara that matched each of their dresses that they then would wear on their respective birthdays. 

While the princesses enjoyed the second course of their meal, the magic continued. 

Fairy Godmother enchanted them while singing “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” and then encouraged everyone in the room to think about their wishes as she sang “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

Ariel joined in on the fun, gliding around the room with the princesses watching in awe as she sang “Part of Your World.”

As Princess Tiana sang “Almost There,” Jude Thomas danced along, twirling around in her beautiful yellow ball gown. 

Other princesses sang along and clapped to the rhythm, watching Princess Tiana gracefully float around the room. 

“Y’all look prettier than magnolias in May,” Tiana said to the princesses after she finished singing. 

The princesses were left with a powerful message from Fairy Godmother.

“The most powerful magic of all is love and kindness,” Fairy Godmother said. 

And when the clock struck noon, the princesses’ tea party came to an end. 

And they lived happily ever after.