I would love to have a copy of the contest flyer. We our running low on funds and this would be a great way to save a little!! My email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Thank you!!!!
We just had our carnival. We had 1 bounce house: 5 tickets for 3 minutes 4-6 students depending on size. I think we estimated 75 prizes per hour per game. Food is hard to estimate. I didn't do the shopping so bare with me. 6 cans cheese, 5 bags chips, 2 boxes premix popcorn, 30 boxes ice cream, 160 corndogs, bottled water, pop,plus coffee, cups, napkins, ketchup, mustard, corndog sleeves. We held a "Treats for Tickets" contest. The class that brought in the most bakery items (for cakewalk) and cans of pop won 10 free carnival tickets a piece. (we awarded a winner in intermediate and primary)It was a HUGE hit-we had a lot left over! It helped free up that expense plus was great for the kids. Hope this helps. I can forward you the contst flyer if needed.
May I request a copy of the carnival excel program. I have been working on our school carnival for the last 2 years and have found it hard to track..
I would love to leave future corrdinaors with a means of some organization.
please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Originally posted by PTA Renegade: I'm in my 4th year of running the school carnival, and here's my take on food, prizes, etc:
We have had much success with the following formula for food: plan on half the school attendance showing up, each with 2 parents or siblings (approx 750-800). Plan on feeding each of them 1.0 servings entree items (750-800 pizza/hot dogs, etc), and .25 servings of each side item (popcorn, nachos, cotton candy). Now plan on 2 sodas/drinks for each attendee. You do want to pretty much run low on food by the last hour or half hour, but put a backup plan in place (just in case all 500 students decide to show up and bring their extended family); have someone ready to pop out and pick up more hot dogs and soda.
As far as prizes go, I'm prone to buying prizes by the case at rock-bottom prices and keeping the extras over to the next year. Rhode Island Novelty has pretty awesome prices (not advertising here-I'm a customer, not an employee), but the cases can sometimes have 400-2000 of a single item, so make sure you have a storage place for the leftovers.
One thing we did last year with outstanding results was offer a presale $3.00 wristband for the inflatables that, when worn, entitled the wearer to unlimited inflatable rides. This kept the ticket line short and ensured that the kids had something to do when the parents' $$ ran low. Also, the presale of the wristbands ensured that the expense of hiring the inflatables was covered in advance.
I think I still have an Carnival Excel program that I wrote that uses formulas to compute attendance and how it affects how much to buy in food, prizes, candy and the like; If anyone reads this REALLY long post and wants a copy, I'll email it to you - LMK, but no email addresses in your post, please! Thanks!!
PTARenegade-
Your Carnival Excel program sounds great! Can you email me a copy,
Thanks Toodles [img]smile.gif[/img]
