Suggestions for School Carnival

[Pickles]

Hey, Contra!

Where in Wisconsin are you? I'm over in River Falls.

I want to tell you about a way I organized my balloons last year that really helps me keep all the colors organized.

I sorted the balloons by color and then pulled about 15 or 20 of each color into a geo balloon. Then I strung all of the geo balloons on a piece of heavy twine long enough to go around my waist. I then tied it around my waist and it looked like a balloon belt or tutu. It was a great way to keep track of all the colors. When kids were trying to pick out the colors, I would spin around so they could see all the colors in my tutu.

I suppose it might not be a good thing to do if it's a really hot day, but, as you know, the weather in WI has been so wacky this spring.... (All of you balloon pros: how long can you keep balloons out of the cooler in hot weather?)

[contrachapado]

What's a geo balloon?

[Jolly Well]

Geo balloon is a donought shaped balloon.

Geo blossom balloons are similar but look more like a flower (the one you use for your avatar)

[contrachapado]

Okay, I've seen those before, but don't have any at this time. Maybe I can order some for my next event.

Pickles, I'm in Eau Claire. Do you know if there are many clowns in this area? I didn't see any clown alleys listed online. Maybe they just haven't registered with any websites? I would love to do this with other people.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by contrachapado

Pickles, I'm in Eau Claire.

Well, we're in the same neck of the woods! We should get together some time! I know a few clowns in Hudson, one in Roberts, one in Luck.... So they're out there.

[contrachapado]

That would be cool. I know there is another professional clown in Eau Claire, but I've never talked with her. Maybe Wisconsin is too sparsely populated to support very many clowns!

[Fitzwilly]

These days it is more a matter of quality and perception than actual ability to support. It takes time and effort to educate the public that the best bang for their buck is a clown. Why? Because too many people have seen "Jimmy's mother at the school fun fair painting faces with Q-Tips and poster paint, while wearing an outfit that you wouldn't see at Halloween."

[Happy Chappy & Daisy]

I can paint a face in thirty seconds with a roller. The bad part is sanding between coats...

[contrachapado]

Well, I twisted at the school carnival yesterday, and it was a blast! I can't believe people get paid to have that much fun!

Not everything went perfectly, but I did pretty well. The school actually has 375 kids, more than I had anticipated. The line was continuous, and not all the children got balloons. And the ones left at the end were less than thrilled about the idea of a sticker as a substitute. So next time, I think I will make up a bag of extras.

I learned:
-bring sunscreen
-set up with my back to the wall (they had me in the middle of the playground)
-GET A BIGGER BALLOON APRON
-clown shoes are sweaty
-Never, ever buy cheap balloons (I mixed them in with my Qualatex, and now am regretting it)
-get the Qualatex purple balloon pump, not the blue one
-bring an assistant to take pictures, stamp hands, etc.

I didn't have time to stamp hands, so I did get repeats. I also let the children draw their own faces on their balloons, and they seemed to enjoy that.

So, I had a great time, and can't wait for my next event.

BTW, I did have limited choices: mouse, snail, hummingbird and a basic hat. Some kids just wanted a plain blown up balloon, too.

Thank you all for your advice!

[Pickles]

Glad it went well, Daisy, and that you had such a great time.

I've thought about volunteering at my kids' spring carnival, but I haven't because I thought it would be too overwhelming with all those kids and just one clown. Maybe I will reconsider, seeing that you pulled it off.

Good job!