The Tea Tent Makes the Tourney

“Tennis, tea and talk” is synonymous with the father of The Ojai Tennis Tournament, William L. Thacher, whose love for his favorite sport, beverage and pastime coalesced into the showpiece of the oldest amateur tournament in the country – Ojai’s very own Tea Tent.

Exactly what makes the Tea Tent so special? Tradition.

For over 120 years, nestled between the stately oaks and tennis courts of Libbey Park, tournament goers and players have relished the comforting ritual of afternoon tea and conversation. The Tea Tent was born in 1904 from a modest booth adorned with wildflower garlands, today’s elegant tea service is served from a striking pavilion-style tent and befits the renowned caliber of champions and competition which have graced Ojai’s courts for more than a century.

More than one hundred community volunteers, working in intricately orchestrated harmony, consider it a privilege to help pull off the annual fête. Polishers of exquisite urns, washers of hundreds of teacups, slicers of freshly picked lemons, sparklers of silver trays, positioners of fine table linens, all add meticulous elegance to every detail. At the appointed hour, an artistic floral arrangement designed by the Ojai Valley Garden Club magically arrives and is positioned, just so, on the table between two gleaming silver tea services. Voila! It’s showtime!

Most importantly, the Tea Tent’s signature hospitality is graciously extended to every guest with the service of more than 1,500 cups of tea and thousands upon thousands of cookies from volunteers happily dressed up in Tea Tent finery.

All of this. Year after glorious year.

Perhaps the best evidence of how much this gracious tradition is revered by both volunteers and tea takers is how the stewardship of this beloved custom has been lovingly handed down, some families having participated for three plus generations. The warm glow of a job well done was felt last year when Ojai Wall of Famer and Grand Slam Champion Patrick McEnroe accepted the invitation to return to Libbey Park’s hallowed grounds as tournament honoree and specifically inquired “will the Tea Tent be open?” Truth be told, opening hours were enthusiastically adjusted to help warmly welcome one of our own storied champions back to the battleground courts of his college career. The Tea Tent never disappoints.

Tea and cookies will be served in Libbey Park near center court as follows:

Thursday 1:00 – 4:00; Friday 2:30 – 5:00; Saturday 2:00 – 5:00; and Sunday 1:00 – 4:00. Please join us for “tennis, tea and talk” and enjoy the tradition!