Harvest Festivals and Fall Specials

Annual Halloween Extravaganza

Greater Portland Bible Church

Halloween Night - October 31, 2012

2374 SW Vermont Street

 Portland, Or. 97219

Annual Halloween Extravaganza

We could call it a carnival but that name doesn't fully embody the total awesomeness of this annual event. 

Giant inflatables that reach to the ceiling!

Free games and prizes at every turn!

More candy than your stomach can handle in one night!

It’s no wonder kids ask to come to the Extravaganza rather than go trick-or-treating. Parents love it because it’s warm, free, and safe for their children to enjoy. 

This event runs from 6 pm-8 pm.

To help their big "To Do" they are accepting donated bottled water , single serving bags of chips, juice boxes or candy. You can even volunteer your services and help with security for the children, working a carnival booth , serving popcorn, cotton candy or pronto pups to their guests. 

Sign-ups will begin in October in the lobby on Sunday's or e-mail Diane Dodge @email Diane if you have questions. All people are invited.

for more pictures visit:

PDX Church Halloween Event

Budget Cuts That Won't Cheapen Your Event

Smart Planning Is Key: Negotiate Upfront for Discounts & Extras

THE GOOD NEWS: The boss grudgingly gave the okay for a Company Event
THE BAD NEWS: The budget is going to require EXTREME CREATIVE THINKING

Don't panic, you have plenty of time to put together an event with guaranteed smiles from bosses and employees alike. Everyone is stretching dollars these days and creative financing is more the standard than the embarrassing. The most important tool in your arsenal is PRE-PLANNING. After all, asking for reduced corkage fees will be a lot more attainable before the bottles are corked. Following are 15 tips to help ease your budget crunch and free up some dollars for the entertainment. Some of the tips might sound nagging (see 3), but in today's environmentally conscious society, waste is not only burning cash, its wasteful.

1. Try to limit your coffee breaks. Coffee breaks are the most wasteful type of F&B. If you have ordered a coffee break, give instructions that at the end of the break, dirty cups, and dishes are to be removed and that coffee, tea, and decaf are to be consolidated and left in place until lunch or until breakouts begin again. that way a few thirsty people can still have their thirst quenched, and you will have used your money's worth. Always pay "by consumption' instead of 'per person."   treat continental breakfasts the same. Consolidate everything for latter use.
2. Have large breakfast rolls (Danishes) cut in half when serving continental breakfast. They're easier to eat and discourage heavy consumption.
3. Have food stations attended by a waiter to discourage over-indulgence. People tend to eat less if they see an attendant.
4. Know the history of all of your events. track them carefully so you can give accurate guarantees.
5. Use drink tickets at all bars. The bars hosted and you pay only on the number of tickets taken in.
6. Limit drink tickets to two. And have attendees pay cash after using the two tickets. 
7. Buy liquor by the bottle. If you expect 300 or more guests to be in attendance at your party, and if the duration of the event is two hours or more. Estimate three drinks for each guest, per two-hour period. If your estimate reaches 900 drinks or more, you should purchase liquor by the bottle.
8. Insist on a measured pour for each drink. The number of drinks each bottle can yield is determined strictly by the size of the shot that is poured from each bottle.
9. Don't order shrimp unless it is in a "passed" hors d'oeuvre. When it's gone, don't reorder.
10. Avoid salty snacks. They Simply make your attendees thirsty and make them drink more.
11. Utilize leftovers. If you order a cheese display and it is relatively undamaged after the cocktail hour, have the cheeses sent to the presidential suite.
12. Explore food options. In some cities, you can actually have a sit-down dinner for less money than a reception. (as long as you have a cash bar)
13. Think about hosting only wine, beer, and soda. Provide other alcoholic drinks at a cash bar-especially today when everyone is trying to discourage chemical and alcohol dependency.
14. Shop Around. If you have a particularly expensive event, place it on a bid basis with three hotels who could handle the numbers. 
15. Don't over serve. 
16. Price compare using an Event Planner to help you. Often times they have discounts already negotiated.

Most important. Have fun, it's a party.

25 Dazzling Decor Ideas for Special Events

25 Dazzling Decor Ideas for Special Events

Stuck with a plain-Jane event space? These special event decor experts share party design ideas that take "bow wow" to "wow."

        

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1. SWEET THEMES: Fun themes guests will enjoy

To create an exciting, interactive “Iron Chef” theme (see photo), design centerpieces featuring ikebana-style palm stalks placed in a wok filled with long-grain rice. Accent centerpieces with small, seaweed-wrapped candles set in square plates filled with soy sauce. Add tabletop props such as samurai swords, geisha fans and plastic sumo bellies, and send guests home with favors including sake cups, lacquered chopsticks and wind-up “walking sushi” toys.
— Carla Felicella, Rare Indigo, Vancouver, British Columbia

For a '60s theme event, use scaffolding as anchors for large fabric swags and oversized graphics. Ultraviolet paint can make fabric stand out, as can a wash of amber lighting. Have Day-Glo items such as buttons, glow sticks and decals on tables for attendees to play with.
— Gary Davis, Freeman Decorating, Orlando, Fla.

Read more: http://specialevents.com/decor/meetings_dazzling_decor_ideas/index.html?imw=Y#ixzz1rh0PFjg1