NATCHEZ — Mothers and daughters have the chance to get up close and personal with the characters from the Land of Sweets that come to life on the stage during the Nutcracker ballet.

An array of characters from the scene filled with gum drops, chocolate and other sugary confections will host a mother-daughter tea from 2 until 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at The Columns on Main Street in Natchez.

Admission to the tea is $5.

Clara, the Sugarplum Fairy, gingerbread dolls and others from the enchanting tale will read the story of the nutcracker to the children attending.

“You get up close and personal with the cast,” Nutcracker director Mignon Reid said. “It helps to really understand what’s happening on stage so when they get there can follow the flow.”

Guest will also get a true taste of the Land of Sweets with bon bons, cupcakes, cookies and candy on the menu for the tea.

Also performing at the tea will be Darlene McCune and the chamber singers from Natchez High School.

The characters will appear just as they do on stage — in full costume and in full make up.

“You can touch the costumes and see them up close,” Reid said. “That is always a big hit with the little kids.”