Each year, we like to look back and reminisce about the best events from the previous summer as inspiration to ourselves and our clients. 2019 was especially fun for us, with groups big and small from Chula Vista, up to Valley Center and all the way out to Yuma, Arizona! Our smallest picnic was hosted for nine, and our largest included more than 5,000 guests. Our clients ranged from military families to schools, Fortune 500 companies to hospitals — and everything in between. Overall, we served nearly 50,000 guests in only six months!
Every picnic is unique, but here are a couple of our favorites:
The first event that comes to mind is a California Dreamin’-themed picnic, hosted on a hot summer day with a cool breeze drifting in from offshore. Captain Picnic greeted guests as the ultimate surfer dude — shades, floppy hat, zinc oxide and all. The picnic area was filled with every accouterment a California beach party requires surfboards, palm trees, fishnets, pier pillars, a lifeguard stand and a surf wagon cut-out photo op! Local brews, fresh churros and fluffy cotton candy tempted guests from the start, while they got airbrush tattoos, made flower crowns and posed for caricatures.
“Danger Zone” played over the speakers, signaling the start of the volleyball tournament, while the kids enjoyed the inflatable obstacle course and combination moon bounce. Smoked chicken, juicy hot dogs and big, 1/3 pound burgers on the grill teased everyone’s senses, as the buffet with accompanying fresh sides and desserts opened for lunch.
After everyone had their fill, the Picnic Lawn Games started with the youngest, most eager guests first, bringing in everyone who wanted to play and win prizes as the games continued! The day finished with just a little more excitement, as the bravest guests participated in the hanging powdered donut eating contest.
Whether taking part or watching, everyone ended their day with a big laugh and a full stomach — exactly how we like it!
As the summer cooled to autumn, a fall festival turned out to be one of our most exciting events of the year! It took place on a typical October day in San Diego, when the weather was nothing short of perfect.
We magically transformed our client’s office parking lot into a Fall Carnival wonderland, with pumpkins, straw bales, striped carnival booths and concession stands. Kids were invited to decorate pumpkins — with help from our creative team members, of course — and enter their designs into the pumpkin contest. Meanwhile, the adults took part in a pumpkin bowling contest, which took on a life of its own when a few aces came in and showed their stuff! But the main competition came in the form of the Guess the Weight game, in which a massive pumpkin sat alone as admirers gave their best guesses.
The autumnal scent of fresh kettle corn filled the air, along with the festive aroma of caramel apples and cotton candy. Families hopped in the back of a horse-drawn carriage for classic hayrides around the lot. Goats, bunnies, pigs, ducks and chickens were hopping, snorting and clucking around at the petting zoo, ready to play!
By the time the event ended, most guests sported face paint applied by one of the roaming artists, had prizes under their arms and a bag of kettle corn for the road. That’s what we call success!
The best part of creating custom events from year to year is that no two are exactly alike. Some groups love the classic summertime picnic, some love to be transported from their offices with a big theme, some love being active, and others want nothing more than a comfortable spot in the shade to enjoy great food. Fresh ideas are always circulating, and guests can look forward to something new each time around. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
It's never too early to start. Give us a shout to find out how we can deliver the most scrumptious picnic catering in town and help you throw an epic event from start to finish.