Guest columnist
There are many decisions to make pertaining to hosting a party for your child's birthday: theme, location, food, entertainment, and the like.
Whether you decide to have the party at your home or at a restaurant or other location, you may want to have entertainment.
You can have a magician, clown, face painter, balloon twister, caricature artist or some other entertainment.
If you do decide on an entertainer, don't wait until the last minute to contact them. Most entertainers are booked up at least three weeks in advance. I've been contacted many times on a Friday afternoon for people wishing to hire me on Saturday or Sunday, and 99 percent of the time I’m already booked.
Also when scheduling entertainment, it is best to have the entertainer start a half hour or later than the start time of the party. Many times people arrive late and it is not fair to ask the entertainer to wait and start later, since most times they have another party booked after yours.
Some entertainers ask for payment in advance of the party or at the time of the booking. However, for those that say you can pay on the day of the party, please have the payment, whether cash, check, or credit card ready before it's time for the entertainer to leave.
Serve food after the show
It is also best not to feed children during the show. Parents walking in front of the entertainer giving food and drinks to the kids is distracting. If the food is messy, some children may not be able to assist the entertainer if their hands are dirty. Many props are quite expensive and some are difficult to clean.
Do not have all the adults leave the room while the entertainer is performing. The entertainer is not a babysitter. Sometimes there may be one or two unruly children, and it is not the entertainer's job to discipline them. Parents of children under 3 should stay with their child.
Many times younger children will walk around and also try to touch the entertainer's props which may be dangerous.
Please be aware a child's birthday party is for the children. It’s rude for all the parents to be talking loudly behind the seated children while an entertainer is performing. Unfortunately this happens often and the children can't hear the entertainer and enjoy the show. At one birthday party where I was performing, the parents were so loud that a five-year old girl stood up and shouted “please be quiet I can't hear the magician.”
Keep adult beverages to a minimum
Alcoholic beverages for the adults should be non-existent or kept to a minimum. I have been the entertainer at a number of children's birthday parties where beer, wine and even hard liquor is flowing freely.
You wouldn't believe the number of times I have seen an adult stumble, and almost fall on children and even spill their alcoholic beverages on the children. At one party a grandma was so drunk that when she tried to take a picture she dropped her camera and swore in front of the children.
As an entertainer, I realize the birthday child is the star of the party. However, do not expect the birthday child to be the assistant for every trick the magician performs. The birthday child wants to enjoy and watch the show also
Most magicians and entertainers scan the audience for children that would be more appropriate for certain tricks. I have had parents insist that a two-year old help with a card trick, which is nearly impossible!
Before the show I welcome suggestions for which "special" children to employ as assistants, such as siblings or cousins. The birthday child is always highlighted in my show and in most other entertainers’ shows.
I also try to get as many children involved as possible, but sometimes there are 25 or more kids at a party and it's impossible to have each child help.
Do research before hiring
When looking for an entertainer do some research either online, in a party magazine or ask other parents.
It is generally best to contact an entertainer directly as opposed to calling an entertainment agency. If you contact the person directly you can pose questions, and if you have special needs you can see if the entertainer can assist.
A number of agencies are simply concerned with collecting their fee and many times don't pass on important information or needs to the entertainer. Also when using an agency you will pay up to 150 percent more for the entertainer.
I hope this information will help you have a successful celebration.
Lizotte, a Shelton resident, is a professional entertainer.
