MEXICO — The Public Library will host its annual American Girl Tea Party at 1 p.m. Friday, July 26, in the Calvin Lyons Hall under the Town Office.

Library Director Valerie Messana said the tea party is meant for girls ages 6 to 11 and will focus on one specific American Girl doll, Addy, who represents an African-American who lived as a slave on a southern plantation during the Civil War era.

“Each year, we try to select an American Girl doll that represents something in our history,” Messana said. “This year, we chose Addy. Girls who attend will have the chance to work on crafts that people during that era might have made, games they might have played or food they might have eaten. It’s as much a learning experience as an opportunity to have fun.”

Every girl who attends may also enter a drawing to win a miniature collectible Addy doll and an introductory book titled “Meet Addy,” Messana said.

“The girls can bring their own American Girl dolls to the tea party as well,” she said. “They can also dress up in the type of clothes that girls in the 1860s wore but it’s not a requirement.”

The girls will also be able to participate in a tea party, with real china cups and light refreshments.

Messana said the library has been doing an American Girl Tea Party for several years after a library board member who also was involved with the Girl Scouts of America suggested it.

“We did it once and it ended up going very well,” she said. “Now, we tend to get between 20 and 25 girls a year who show up at the tea party.”

RSVPs are encouraged by Tuesday, July 23. For more information, call the library at 364-3281.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com