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How to Host a Carnival-Themed Event

Carnivals are the best fun. A carnival-themed event is guaranteed to be hugely successful with people of all ages, no matter what type of event you are organizing. However, there are a few things you need to consider before you go ahead with your carnival, so here are the main items that should put on your “to-do” list.

A carnival-themed party is always popular. (Photo: Jamene Invitations)

Timing is important

Carnivals are outdoor events, so you need good weather to make them successful. It is difficult to have carnival rides running when the weather is it’s raining, windy or both. Try to choose a time when the weather is almost certain to be warm and sunny. If this isn’t possible, look at holding a smaller scale event indoors instead.

The right location

Location is important too. Large scale events will need lots of space to make them work. Not only do you need space for the carnival rides and booths, but people will also need plenty of parking space, too. Look around and see what locations are available and whether the landowner is willing to let you hold your event on his land.

Send out the invitations

Get people into the right frame of mind with super creative invitations. These can be paper invites or virtual ones sent via social media or email. Use your imagination here. Print cards with clown faces or candy sticks == make them as colorful as possible and build the excitement factor.

Organize the entertainment

There are lots of fun entertainment options to choose from. Think of your carnival event as the party of the century and go all out to provide as much entertainment for your guests as possible.

Games – There are lots of traditional games you can do, including hook-a-duck, ring toss, potato sack races, shooting booths and anything else you can think of.
Activities – Inflatable slides, pony rides, a carousel, sports races, lucky dips, face painting and more. Some activities can be organized very easily; others such as pony rides and inflatable slides will cost money, but are well worth the expense.

Try to come up with a good mix for both adults and children, so everyone is happy on the day, and don’t forget to hire a few clowns to provide the fun-factor.

Carnival food should be quick and easy to eat. (Photo: andersruff.com)

Food and drink

Carnival food needs to be quick and easy. Hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, hot donuts and cookies are all perfect for carnival-themed events. For drinks, look into providing slushies, smoothies and for adults, cold beers and soda. Guests will want to be able to snack and drink on the move, so provide fast-food concession stands where they can graze as the hunger strikes. For larger events, a hog roast or BBQ would work well.

Decorate your carnival event

Think candy stripes, balloons, streamers and flags. The more decorations you can put up, the better.
You don’t need a massive budget to organize a carnival themed event — many of the above ideas can be orchestrated on a very low budget. And if you need some help, look at hiring an event team such as Fun Crew USA in Orlando.

Article by Carol Trehearn