An Inflatable Slide is a Huge Hit for Indiana Parties

Planning an event can be fun. But it's always stressful trying to find an attraction that everyone will love. One item that is always a hit is the Inflatable Slide.

You'll find the inflatable slide right in the middle of the fun at most Indiana corporate picnics, post proms and other functions. But did you know you can get a slide for a home party too?

Although inflatable slides have been around for awhile, in the past few years more unique slides have come into the marketplace. You can get slides in sizes that work for everyone. A giant slide (around 22') is great for ages 12 to adults. If you're looking for something for younger kids, you'll probably want to stick with a backyard slide which is around 14' tall.

Remember the 70's when slip n slides were so popular? Well, now you can get inflatable slip n slides that are even MORE fun. They come in single and in double lanes both so you can even race a friend if you'd like. But the new slip n slides have a safety ramp at the end to slow your slide so they're much easier on your body than the old version.

If you like the traditional slide, but still want water, you can rent an inflatable water slide. With sprinklers shooting out the top, this slide is fantastic for a hot summer day.

There are just a few things you need to remember when renting an inflatable slide or any other inflatable game:

1) The unit must be staked down at all times

2) The unit can only be operated with adult attendant in place who understands all safety requirements

3) You will need a dedicated 20 amp circuit to use for each blower (most units only need one). This outlet needs to be within 50 feet.

4) If you're using a water slide, you'll need a water connection and hose within a reasonable distance.

5) Participants should always follow safety instructions and should always be sitting feet first

when sliding down a traditional slide.

If you follow the simple guidelines you can have a safe, fun attraction that everyone will love.

Plan the Perfect Company Picnic in Indiana

Does your company have a picnic each year? Should they? Even in rough years a company picnic can boost employees morale and show that the company owners appreciate their employees efforts in making the company succeed.

But, how do you go about planning that perfect company picnic? Here are a few tips for making the event great, even on a small budget.

Location: There are many event locations that specialize in company events. Many of them offer catering to make your planning easier. But you don not have to go off site. If you have a company that runs 24/7 sometimes it is better to have your event on site so that all employees can attend with their families. This is also a great opportunity to offer tours if your company has a factory, or area that the average person cannot visit. Many parents really enjoy showing their family where they work and what they do.

Food: Food can be as simple as hotdogs and hamburgers grilled by the management staff to a fully catered event. There are many catering companies that specialize in company picnics and you can plan everything from ribs to dessert. But when the management cares enough to be part of the food preparation it seems to mean a lot to the employees. If you choose this though, make sure that you have plenty of help so that everyone still gets a chance to enjoy the party.

Entertainment: The entertainment is the easiest part of your planning. And again, it can be simple or extravagant depending on your budget.

You can offer Bingo for adults and relay races for children (both with prizes). Corn Hole and Volleyball tournaments are always huge fun. If you are offering tournaments, make sure to have a sign up table so that there is no delay starting the games.

Inflatable and Interactive games can be a huge attraction for kids AND adults and they certainly add a festive flair to the event. There is something about pulling into a parking lot and seeing giant moonbounces and slides to get everyone excited.

Many companies offer casino games for the adults while the children are playing on the inflatable games. Casino games are played for fun with the winners receiving prizes.

Keep in mind as you are planning entertainment that many things require a power source so you want to plan your event with power requirements in mind.

Budget: Decide what your budget is going to be in the beginning. This will give you an idea of where to start. But, do not despair if your budget is low. Talk to your vendors. Many vendors will be more than happy to sponsor part of your event. Some of the best company picnics we have done had “sponsored by” signs in front of all the inflatables and game tents. This is a great way for everyone involved in your company growth to share some time together.

Just keep in mind while you are making plans that your ultimate goal is to show you appreciate your employees and their families efforts to support your business. Do not make your plans so complicated that you cannot enjoy the day. A company picnic should be fun for everyone; even the management!

5 Steps to Planning the Perfect Event

Where to start? Are you excited? You have just been given the challenge of planning the perfect event! And more than likely, you have no idea where to start. Whether you are planning a backyard birthday party, holiday party, church event, company picnic or a post prom, event planning does not have to be stressful. It can even be fun!

Step 1 Plan your Budget The first thing you have to know is how much money you have to spend. Then you can plan your budget for different parts of your event. Once you decide on your total budgeted amount, work within it. It is no fun to be running way over budget weeks before your party. You will need to divide your budget between the following categories.

Invitations- If you are sending out regular invitations do not forget the postage cost.

Venue- There are many different types of venues. Ask about any additional fees besides the actual rental fee. (Cleaning fees, etc.) A venue that includes tables & chairs could ultimately be cheaper than an empty hall where you have to rent everything from an outside source. If you are having the party at home, remember to include the cost of any equipment you will need there also like tents, tables and chairs.

Food- After planning your menu, make a complete list of recipes and needed items to add to your budget. If you are using a caterer, talk to two or three different ones. Tell them what your vision is, and see what they suggest. Also, give them your budget for food up front so they will not waste your time suggesting things that you do not want.

Drink- Do not forget to add in the cost of ice, cups and other extras.

Extras- Anything extra you might need to purchase for your event.

Décor- Any decorations needed; lights, flowers, candles and props

Entertainment & Activities- Games & Activities, either rented or coordinated by others.

Music & Entertainers- DJ, Band, face painters, caricaturist, magician

Favors- think cheap; try to keep it under $1.00

Emergency Fund- IMPORTANT- Before you even start, set 10% of your total budget aside for emergencies.

Step 2 Pick a Date In many cases the date will be picked for you. If not, think of your work and personal schedule as you plan. Also, consider holidays where people might be out of town.

Step 3 Choose a Theme Themed parties are always fun and if you use a theme it makes it much easier to tie in food/decorations etc. There are so many themes you can use that they are only limited by your imagination. Here are some samples: Mexican Fiesta, Mardi Gras, Key West, Tropical, Western and Casino Night

Step 4 Pick a Venue There are so many places you can hold your event. Home, a church hall or a specialty location This can take up a huge part of your budget so shop carefully. If you are using a venue that is furnishing napkins/table settings and other items, ask to see them to make sure they meet your standards.

Step 5 Make out your Guest list

Ok, now that you have done all the basics it will be SO easy to plan that perfect party.

Party Decorations and Themes

If you're artistic, making your own party decorations can be extremely fun and cost-efficient. On the other hand, if you're pressed for time, celebration supply stores and online discount celebration supply sites can be a real blessing.

To make things even easier, some celebration rental services bring all the actors, party decorations and backdrops for you, if you're willing to pay for it. After setting your budget, we can examine the various options.

First, choose a theme for your party decorations. Some possible ideas for an adult theme celebration include: luau, western, circus, safari, Hollywood, 1950s, Roaring 20s, disco, space, pirate, sports, Las Vegas, Arabian Nights, medieval times, Mardi Gras, Spanish fiesta, rock and roll or futuristic.

Kids often enjoy character and pop culture themes, like: Spiderman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer, Finding Nemo, Pokemon, Harry Potter or American Idol.

If you're interested in making your own decorations for a kids party, Coolest-kid-birthday-parties is a great resource. For example, with an undersea theme, you can follow step-by-step instructions on making a Finding Nemo pinata, a shark mouth standee to take photos next to and seashell party invitations. In addition to decoration ideas for various themes, the site also has food and activity tips.

If you'd rather purchase items, Party City is a great store where you can get accent themes like: disco, rock and roll, luau, movie night, fiesta, casino and western.

If you're throwing a fiesta, you can buy decorations like: chili pepper garland ($2.29), scene setters ($5), cut-outs ($3 - $10), chili pepper lights ($10), an inflatable cactus ($5), a maraca centerpiece ($3), an inflatable sombrero cooler ($13) and a pinata ($10 - $20).

You might also want to check online at Orientaltradingpost for similar items. They have twelve assorted inflatable items for $20 in the fiesta theme and great deals on bulk celebration favors.

Tableware and partyware add a nice touch to a theme party, often functioning as additional party decorations; however, the cost of these items can be exorbitant.

Most vendors sell plates in packages of eight, which is fine for intimate gatherings, but can be a nightmare if you're having fifty plus people attending. Partysupplydirect has similar deals for partyware but more selection.

A budget-conscious solution if you're not looking to spend $100 in partyware would be to purchase solid-color plates and cutlery but buy a couple of themed serving dishes, tablecloths and straws at half the cost. Another good way to stay on budget is to split expenses with other people and delegate partyware purchases.

While it is the most expensive option, hiring Premier Casino Events to provide the celebration decorations for you could be an elaborate and all-in-one, stress-free way to throw your celebration.

If you were throwing a Halloween one, not only would the company bring fog machines, coffins, cobwebbed park benches, trick mirrors and cemetary gates, but they would also bring casino games, ghoulish actors, music and food to entertain your guests for a full four hours as well!

Looking online for party decorations is a good way to brainstorm ideas. You may choose to make a few things yourself, like a pinata, or you may purchase decorations from a store.

Try to make your purchases thoughtful and don't waste money on things you'll never use again. Delegating responsibilities to co-planners can also help you cut costs and share the excitement with friends, especially when it comes to a surprise birthday party!

Camcorder Rental - Inexpensive Film Making To Preserve Your Memories

Ownership of camcorder or digital video is certainly a significant issue these days, particularly those whose hobbies are to spend a large amount of their time outside the home. In addition to just going out, numerous people are also interested in special occasions that are indoors such as dinners and parties.

But not every one of them has the means to afford camcorders for these occasions. One of the most significant points is that a camcorder by itself may cost more than the entire value of the party. The reason that camcorder rentals has become a very popular way of getting to use one is because it is without the high expense of having to buy one.

Depending on your perspective a camcorder rental is the same as owning one, except for the fact that it's a short period of time. The majority of the time, numerous different camcorders, from the low-end ones to the midrange and high end high definition ones are available for rent at all rental stores. Indeed, the majority of the high-end advanced camcorders are much cheaper than what they would cost to purchase, for let's say one or two days on a special occasion.

Special Packages

There are many stores, both online and around the country that offer smaller packages that have better quality camcorder rental services at a very reasonable price. And these packages come with various added accessories and equipment to be used together with the camcorder as well, such as the tripod, railings, lighting set and much more.

Going through online rental stores, there are many types of packages depending on the type of occasion and so on. Holidays are a very popular time to rent a camcorder and most of the time, camcorder rental services are more expensive during the Christmas and New Years holidays and usually you have to book them in advance.

To avoid disappointment, you should call and check again as the event or the day comes near. This applies especially if your occasion falls on the public holidays or seasonal holidays.

Renting a camcorder is indeed a very simple thing to do. One of the reasons that this service is so popular is due to the fact that it's very cost effective. It is an easy task to find many different rental outlets or service centers in the yellow pages or online through the various search engines such as Google and Yahoo.

There are also several online auction, bidding and bargain sites which also have a category for camcorder rental services. Additionally, if you schedule a service early through these sites, at various times they may have seasonal discounts or weekend rentals, so now you have the ability to make use of the camcorder rental at the most affordable cost for you.

Build Your Youth Ministry The Inflatable Way!

As youth group directors know, it can be a tough job to teach, inspire, guide, mentor and reward the good behavior in today's youth. Whether you're a youth pastor or a youth organization director, it can be challenging to successfully attract and keep the targeted youth in your area or even reward existing members. To get and to keep their attention, you'll need a high level of interest, interactive entertainment and the ability to associate something FUN with your church or organization.

Whether it's a small youth event or a huge community festival-fund raiser, you want to offer fun activities that keep the youth wanting more! Inflatable games and other interactive items offer that cutting edge interactive entertainment experience. Games like the Big Glove boxing, Sumo Wrestling suits, Gladiator Jousting, Bungee Runs, Giant Slides, Mechanical Rides are something that the average youth doesn’t have access to unless it’s at a fair or festival. Using this type of safe yet challenging equipment is something that can attract youth from all around your area. Are you planning a lock in? How about a Halloween Alternative Event? Or perhaps a New Year’s Eve Party? The object of all these type of events is not only to offer safe, Christian alternatives to outside events, but also to show that being part of a Christian Youth Group is anything but boring. There are two ways to offer inflatables and interactives to your youth. Most organizations start out by renting their equipment. As you’re looking for a company to help you with your youth ministry, you’ll want to ask some specific questions!

* Does the Company Specialize in these types of activities?
* Do they have clean cut representatives that will help at your event if necessary
* Can they be flexible to your needs? (Pick up and Delivery at your needed times)
* Do they offer a discount to Christian Youth organizations?
* Are they fully insured?
* Will they work with your budget?

These questions and others can help you find the right company for your organization. You’ll also want to find out what kind of equipment they have to offer. You’ll be looking for bright colorful equipment and a fairly large assortment of games. Since the average youth tends to want to try different things, it’s important to be able to offer different items for each event. your youth organization grows larger or if you have the opportunity to share equipment with other organizations, you might want to consider purchasing your own equipment. Many times this offers an opportunity to keep your costs down while actually helping other youth organizations with their ministry. Many Youth Ministers have found that owning their own inflatables not only gave them a great tool to work with their youth ministry, but also a means of working with other groups in the area. Researching interactives for your ministry can be a fun and educational experience. Along with company websites, you can also find Blogs and even Squidoo sites that will help you with your plans. If you try inflatables and other interactive games to boost your youth ministry, you’ll be thrilled with your results, and so will your youth!

Ideas to Make your Indiana Picnic Great!

Indiana is a great place for an old time summer picnic. But how can you make your picnic special? Here are just a few ideas for your Indiana picnic.

1) Relay Races & games for the kids AND adults: Remember the old fashioned games? 3 legged race, wheelbarrow race, balloon squash, egg toss. But don't just do this for the kids. These type of games are great interactive games for the kids and the adults.

2) Cornhole Games: Cornhole games are a staple at most Indiana picnics. This craze grows more popular each year and the game is so addictive that once you start playing you won't want to stop.

3) Homemade Ice Cream: Remember how much fun it used to be to anticipate how great that ice cream would taste when it was finished?

4) Cotton Candy/Snow Cones: These are an added treat that make a picnic more like a festival. The machines can easily be rented at most party rental companies.

5) Volley Ball or Badmitton: Both games can be set up easily and offer a good chance to network with old friends.

6) Set up a Sprinkler: What could be more fun on a hot summer day.

7) Moonbounces are a blast: And can be rented easily for a day of fun and excitement.

8) Don't forget some simple games for people that don't want such a hectic play time. Cards are a great way to have fun with your friends and relax at the same time.

Just keep in mind that picnics are about relaxing with friends. All you need to do is throw in some food and drinks, good friends and a few entertainment ideas and your day will be complete.