Daffodil Tea to Usher in Livingston Bicentennial Celebrations

To mark the occasion of throughout the township.

The Livingston Bicentennial Committee spearheaded the initiatve, which involved residents and businesses, so that the flowers would be in full bloom this spring, said Arlene Johnson, co-chair.

The first town wide planting event was held in October at the Memorial Oval in conjunction with Livingston’s homecoming.  Bulbs were sold to households and businesses at Daffodil Day, the kickoff to a long celebration fitting for a 200th birthday.

Today those bulbs are beginning to bloom at the Oval, in front of the library, and at schools, businesses and residences all over town -- welcoming people to the town and to the bicentennial.

On Saturday, the township will host the Little Learners Bicentennial Daffodil Tea at the Livingston Library at 3 p.m. This Victorian High Tea -- complete with scones, Devonshire cream and finger sandwiches -- will celebrate the blooming of the 30,000 Bicentennial Daffodils and will help to usher in the Bicentennial events. 

Here is more information from a township press release:

Michael Pepper, a graduate of Livingston's Little Learners preschool, organized the planting of one thousand bulbs at his preschool alma mater last October. Now that the bulbs are blooming, Michael is inviting the parents and children of Little Learners as well as Livingston residents to join in a celebratory, high tea at the library on the afternoon of April 6. 

The Victorian high tea will begin at 3 pm and will feature a visit from William Wordsworth, the author of the famous poem “Daffodils” as well as his sister Dorothy who will tell the story of how she inspired the writing of the poem. A slide show of daffodil pictures, created by nature photographer Malini Parekh, will provide a colorful background to the serving of tea, scones, and finger sandwiches.  The tea will be poured from lovely porcelain tea pots, much as might have been done two hundred years ago in 1813 when Livingston was founded. 

Roberta Bramhall, a former LHS English teacher and an expert on teas and tea service, will demonstrate some of her collection of antique tea service equipment.  Also on hand will be a member of  Essex County Master Gardeners to explain how a brown bulb miraculously becomes a beautiful yellow daffodil.

Space is limited and costs $10 per person. For reservations, call 973-535-6555 or send checks, made out to Michael Pepper, to 28 Burgundy Court. All money collected will be used for supplies, with any remainder donated to the Livingston Bicentennial Fund. 

Also on Saturday, the Livingston Little League will celebrate their opening day with a Bicentennial parade at 11 a.m. at the Meadowbrook field complex. 

More information on the bicentennial celebration can be on the committee’s website or by contacting them at LivingstonNJ200@gmail.com.