Big Top Birthday

Happy third birthday to my sweet petunia, Abby! I'd been thinking about her birthday probably since the day after her second birthday was over. I knew a circus party would be ripe with tons of ideas and details to draw from, and I began collecting things for it from the moment I decided to run with this theme. My closet had been stuffed with giant swirly pops, butterfly nets, and stale circus peanuts for over six months! So glad to be able to reclaim it as my own again - at least for a couple of months anyways. (Always next year's party to think about...) I scoured the internet for inspiration and this is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy the photos of a very special day for a very special little girl.

The ticket booth

Collect your tickets, clown nose and goody bag.

 

The dessert buffet

Birthday banner detail

Four layer vanilla almond cake

Love the mini pennant banner!

Cake stand from OTC gets a little pennant love, too.

Popcorn cupcakes!

Love the vintage feel of these plastic balloon toppers

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Circus animal crackers, of course.

Banner made from vintage circus themed Old Maid cards.

Elvis makes his annual appearance at Abby's birthday.

The concession stand turned out great. And the cotton candy was a lot of fun, even if it was a sticky mess. It took awhile to get the hang of it, but by the end we were cranking out some pretty good looking cones of the pink fluffy stuff. Totally worth the hassle.

Vintage inspired bags from Etsy.

I created a big top feel by swagging red and white strips of plastic sheeting from a sewing hoop suspended from the center of our pergola.

Carnival action in full swing.

Can't escape the lure of the bounce house.

Oriental Trading Company signs - too perfect!

 

Thanks Jo-Ann!

Punch the clown - every kid's fantasy.

Scoop the ducks, win a prize.

Bean bag toss

Tons of prizes from the Dollar Tree

Win a "gold fish" (or two) at the ping pong toss game.

The photo "booth" (a red and white striped sheet, a stool and a bucket of wigs and silly props) made for some great photo ops.

 

 

Birthday girl + cotton candy = gold!

 

 

Details from under the big top:

Tons of bright punch balloons pack a huge impact.

Favor boxes and personalized cups.

Favor box contents for the big kids.

And for the one and under set.

Birthday wishes

Brad exacts his revenge.

The birthday girl loves a good balloon release.

Until next year...