Inflatables Should Be “Safety Always”

Inflatables should never be “Safety First”, rather
“Safety Always”

Safety has become the preeminent concern among the inflatable amusement industry, as kids and parents expectations of our attractions grow, so must the products. As the sizes grow so must our attention to the effects the environment around the install location will have on our equipment. In the eighties, you could only rent a Moon-Walk Bounce House, the nineties Giant Inflatable Slides and Inflatable Obstacle Courses were available to rent. Now there are inflatable slides that are over three stories tall for company picnics, one-hundred foot long inflatable obstacle courses for school carnivals, and challenging inflatable games that add mechanical elements into them available for college fun-days.

Taller inflatables have a greater potential to become affected especially by wind, swaying from side to side if not properly tethered. The proper way to offset this concern is to ensure that all guy lines are secured at the angle the manufacturer recommends, another trouble shooting method is asking the manufacturer to increase the number of tie down points. Something whoever you hire proactively does even for our low to the ground inflatable, because you should make sure whomever you hire believes in “Safety Always”

“All reputable manufacturers provide weight and tethering guidelines” says Scott Weisberg, President of Everything Entertainment.

Scott has been in the business since 1988 and carries some inflatables that require a dozen cement blocks, each weighing over eight hundred pounds.

“There have been many scary videos online of bouncers blowing away with children inside, that could have been avoided if the rental company just did what they should have done in the first place, which is follow the manufacturer's guidelines” said Scott Weisberg, President of Everything Entertainment.

Further measures can be taken such as using stakes whenever possible, and concrete weights on surfaces that are cannot be staked. By using cement block in lieu of water weights, you are greatly reducing the chance for wind gusts sliding an inflatable across surfaces such as concrete, asphalt or turf due to the increased friction of the concrete weights versus the smooth surface of water barrels. Secondly and unfortunately overlooked, is sandbags are prone to rips and tears, spilling its contents and reducing the weight with no one aware until it’s too late. In another “Safety Always” measure, we recommend you hire a company that uses extra durable sandbags when there is no other choice but to use sandbags.

Properly trained staff can considerably reduce the frequency of safety issues. Many more issues than just wind can affect the safety of the inflatable bounce house or slide. How power is run and where it is drawn from can lead to fire hazards, trip hazards, and blown electric circuits. If a cable is run to far from its source the wiring may be “working too hard” raising its temperature as well as its potential for overheating. Another power related concern can be overload, if too many items are drawing power from the same source, overheating again is a risk, both potential fire hazards. Please check that you use a company that trains its staff in proper electrical practices, places fire extinguishers within 6’ of every ride to ensure quick reaction to an unfortunate situation.

By having staff attend seminars led by industry professionals they begin understanding how every step they take can impact the safety of the event guests, which should always be the company you hire’s number one priority. Understanding the importance of watching those on the ride as opposed to just standing by, making sure rules are followed and injuries are greatly reduced. 

Having a Street Fair in NYC? 

Each year the NYC Street Activity Permit Office issues permits to thousands of street fairs and special events, many that use multiple blocks over several days. Events increase overtime costs to the City for use of additional police, etc. Street fairs and events also take police officers from their main job of fighting crime and counter terrorism.

Street Activity Permit Office is to deny permits for new events scheduled for calendar year 2017 if the event was not held in the calendar year 2016.

If you are hosting a Street Fair in New York City and are able to obtain a permit, contact Everything Entertainment for your Tent Rentals, Staging, Amusements, and more. Call 718-556-3430 or email us today.

For more information, feel free to read the adopted rule here: http://rules.cityofnewyork.us/content/street-fair-moratorium-1

Tips to Renting Inflatable Rides for Your Party

Tips to Renting Inflatable Rides for Your Party

Whether you are planning a milestone event like a communion party, a child’s birthday, a block party or school carnival, inflatable rides are a big hit for youngsters.

Inflatable jumps, giant slides, inflatable slides, and other inflatable rides are something the kids will remember. Young guests leave with big smiles, and so do parents because their kids are totally exhausted (parents really like the exhausted part).

Finding a company that rents inflatables is usually easy, and most companies have a variety of styles to choose from (inflatable obstacle courses, inflatable combo units, etc.), but please hire someone that will make safety their number-one priority.

Before you pick up the phone and enter into a contract for a bounce house or inflatable interactive sports attraction, be certain to ask these three important questions:

1. Are they setting up and operating as per the inflatable manufacturer’s recommendations?
   The manufacturer knows how the inflatable was designed to be set up safely better than anyone. Confirming the company you hire knows and uses the amount of weight required to tether the attraction is paramount.
   

   "Proper tethering can help avoid unsafe situations like the ride shifting, moving, or even blowing away while being used" says Scott Weisberg of Everything Entertainment, an amusement operator since 1988.

   
   
2. Has the individuals that setup been trained?
   What type of training did they receive? Was the training documented with the state (certain states require it.)
3. Will they advise you when to cancel the attraction because of high winds.
   It is generally recommended inflatables shouldn’t be operated in winds over 15 mph. From time to time you see a news report of an inflatable ride blowing away with a child inside! It can happen. It has! If their answers demonstrate that they put safety first by assuring you that their equipment is maintained and operated in the safest manner, then you probably can feel comfortable moving forward.

Once you have hired someone for your inflatable bounce house, inflatable slide, etc., here are a few things you should bear in mind:

1. Have the inflatables been set up professionally.
   When using inflatables for entertainment at events and parties, don’t inflate or deflate them yourself. Have the company you hired set them up and take them down for you, plus pay for a trained attendant to staff the ride for you. They possess the knowledge about the attraction and will be dedicated to the safety and operation of it at your event. Please remember the operator is not a babysitter. They should inform guests of safety rules, but still may need a parent’s help if a child isn’t listening. Having an attendant there will be one less thing for you to worry about.
2. What’s the best place for the inflatable?
   Give some thought to where you want the attraction placed. The best spot is typically flat, level ground, free of rocks and debris. Overhead branches, electric lines, etc shouldn’t be close either. A tree branch could fall and injure a child or tear a hole in the bounce causing it to deflate and possibly trap a guest. Somewhere close to where the parents are gathering, but not too close to affect the refreshment area and other party activities. You should discuss your thoughts with the company to find the best area to inflate the ride.
3. Check your insurance policy.
   Don’t just ask, but have the company send you a copy of their insurance (and licensing: needed in most municipalities.) Besides General Liability (which most companies carry to protect themselves,) they should also have Worker’s Compensation and Disability if one of their staff gets injured. If they don’t have the proper insurance, you may be left as the responsible party, so you should see if your homeowner’s policy covers you. (I am not an insurance agent or broker, this is just my opinion from my experience.)

Asking the right questions and having some knowledge about these attractions will go a long way in hosting a fun, safe event featuring inflatables.

Water Barrels As A Tent Anchoring Option

A water barrel demonstration at Industrial Fabrics Association International Tent Expo 2015 showed that a 20-by-20-foot tent required 40 water barrels to achieve 1,000 pounds per leg when all of the variables were taken into consideration

Water Barrels As A Tent Anchoring Option

When you mention water barrels within earshot of tent safety experts or insurance representatives, they noticeably cringe. Why? They are the worst option to tether tents for many reasons.

Scientific Reasons

• A water barrel is tall, narrow and it ties off from the top which could allow it to slip, especially if not tied properly.
• A plastic barrel offers little resistance against concrete or asphalt surfaces and has a tendency to slide.
• These factors reduce a typical 55 gallon barrel’s 480 pounds of water weight to a barrel that can fail at as little as 160 pounds of force.

Practical Reasons

• Professional tent companies properly anchor tents they lift the tent so they don’t have to combat the wind. That practice is almost impossible due to the time it takes to fill the water barrels all the way.
• Water appears to be an easy way to make weight. It’s not. Water is not always available, many venues won’t allow them to be emptied on site, and fresh water is wasted.
• Most tent manufacturer’s instruction don’t include water weighting as option. This puts the liability on the tent company and sometimes on the renter.
• More municipalities and venues are banning water barrels, and we expect this trend to spread.

Quantity Of Water Barrels Needed To Be Safe

Sure, water barrels are adequate for securing tents, IF you’re willing to use enough of them. Experts recommend installing tents so that the holding power is 1 ½ to 2 times the forces imposed on the tent. For a single 20’ by 20’ tent you need 37 barrels of water! If the wind is severe, even that huge quantity won’t be enough protection.

Other Options To Water Barrels

Consider using cement ballast, a widely accepted, safe and reliable alternative. Cement blocks weigh way over double that of water, have a lower center of gravity and offer much more resistance against sliding, greatly reducing the ballast footprint. The reduced footprint also presents an opportunity to properly ballast larger tents. For example, a 40-foot-wide tent will typically call for 2,000 to 4,000 pounds per leg, which is nearly impossible to accomplish with water barrels.

Everything Entertainment

718-556-3430

Children Entertained in Portable Haunted House

Children Entertained in Portable Haunted House

Two kids walking with their parents suddenly became paralyzed. Almost as mysteriously as it came on, they were actually giggling just minutes later. Many believe the paralysis was brought on by fear. Fear from seeing a ghost, not from seeing blood, gore, or anything gruesome.

Paralyze children with fear this Halloween, without all the blood and gore…

“Event planners and parents are always asking us for a gore-free, yet entertaining experience, in our Haunted Tent, “ said Scott Weisberg of Everything Entertainment, who has been providing a Walk-Through Haunted Tent experience for over fifteen years.

Young kids can enjoy being scared, but they don’t need all that blood and gore. Adults enjoy themselves too with just the entertainment factor!

The traditional haunted house, using sensory stimulation through a theatrical environment, creates tons of entertainment. According to the Haunted Attractions Association, professional haunted houses are a $300 million industry. People enjoy their entertainment value.

I think that there are lots of ways that people can enjoy scary material," said Margee Kerr, a sociologist who teaches at the University of Pittsburgh and a "scare expert" at a Halloween attraction. "I see that a lot at haunted attractions," said Kerr. "People come out the other side hugging and exchanging high fives. Strangers come out the other end as friends."

“Around age 7 to 11, kids start to understand the difference between a real monster and a fake monster. Imaginative play is important, but when it crosses the line into terrifying, that's bad. You want people to have a good time, to laugh and smile after they scream," Kerr said. (published in national.deseretnews.com).

Everything Entertainment can help you and your family and friends have a good time and scream a bit too this coming Halloween.  We can help you create your own bit of fear and “paralysis” for your guests   - of all ages – with a custom designed haunted house.

Haunted houses make Halloween parties.

Proper lighting, professional actors, theatrical props, custom made props, computer controlled automated  special effects,  all set up in a physical portable structure,  have been the trademark elements of Everything Entertainment’s Halloween events for the past 15 years.

Cemetery scenes, ghosts playing chess, corpses popping up from behind tombstones, skeletons trying to enjoy dinner, haunted photo ops, and pictures changing in front of your eyes, are the thrilling presentations designed and executed at a variety of corporate and private parties.

Many people also enjoy decorating themselves for their Halloween party, but want to enhance their party with theatrical quality props. Everything Entertainment has lots of skeletons, coffins, tombstones, low lying foggers, and more. Even some minor theatrical lighting will add a huge impact to turn an ordinary party into a scary setting.

Although magicians are the most popular additional entertainment, other great Halloween party entertainment is disc jockeys, wax hand creations, photo booths with a Halloween theme border, a monster theme bouncer, and balloon sculptors. Lastly, rustic décor is super popular to use at parties and events. Realistic and flame resistant prop bales of hay, corn stalks, farm tables, split-rail wood fence, wooden wagon wheels, and much more.

“Paralyze” your Halloween guests with fear and fun, whether they are 5 years old or 50, this coming Halloween. Ghosts are waiting for your call: 718-556-3430, www.EverythingEntertainment.com.

NYC Fashion Show 2014

NYC Fashion Show 2014

Everything Entertainment was an integral part of the first ever runway show - held during Fashion Week 2014 - at the beautifully rebuilt South Street Seaport. Managed by the Howard Hughes Corporation, this popular tourist destination hosted an outside early evening Fashion Show on September third featuring the ModaBox clothing line. 

Everything Entertainment's team handled the staging of the runway, the audience layout, and private space for the ModaBox models, which resulted in a summer evening event not only enjoyed by fashion buyers but even NYC passersbys.

Everything Entertainment was honored to be part of Fashion Week 2014 and the other fashion show events they have lent their expertise over the years.   Companies such as Kleinfeld Bridal , Gant Men's Wear, and MAC Cosmetics showcase unique fashion show events and it has been an honor to work with them as well.

Click Here to see NYC Fashion Show Events Everything Entertainment has provided the production for.

Everything Entertainment has decades of experience in staging events for a variety of occasions. For more information and examples of our work, contact Everything Entertainment at 718-556-3430 or www.EverythingEntertainment.com

ModaBox models strut their stuff down the
80 foot long runway provided by
Everything Entertainment. 

Runway, Chairs, Tent, Lighting,
Stanchions, Ropes, and other rentals,
all supplied by Everything Entertainment.

Tailgating Season

Can’t make the game?
Then bring the game to you!

Football season is here and it just takes a bit of creativity to take your game viewing to the next level.
Everything Entertainment has turned private venues into virtual football stadiums.

Stadium seating can be re-created through custom made bleachers combined with turf-lined carpeting professionally laid with football markings creates your very own stadium.

Custom signage and personalized football jerseys as chair covers make it your unique football party. Personalized foam fingers are also a fun way to recognize someone’s milestone being celebrated.
Add in a sports trivia guy walking round giving away silver dollars, a cigar lady handing out cigars, and freshly popped popcorn and - let the football begin!

Everything Entertainment has decades of experience in creating themed parties for a variety of events and occasions. For more information and assistance on planning your next event, contact Everything Entertainment at 718-556-3430 or www.EverythingEntertainment.com.

Safety. What really matters when you rent a tent!

Safety.
What really matters when you rent a tent!

June through November, the most popular time for tented events, coincides with hurricane season. Add in that unpredictable weather occurrences are becoming the norm, having some fundamental knowledge of tent safety will help you ask the right questions to your tent vendor.

The most important item you need to think about when putting the finishing touches on your next event or celebration, is whether or not the tent you rented will be safe during inclement weather. Oftentimes, that is the one thing you haven't given much thought.

Start a conversation with your vendor on the following topics and test your vendor's expertise of the tent they are providing. Scott Weisberg of Everything Entertainment, which provides tents to some of the largest events in the New York tri-state area, recommends you ask some of these questions:

• Ask your tent company how they are planning on anchoring your tent. Make sure you understand the steps taken to ensure the tent they are providing will stay grounded and handle windy conditions.

• If your vendor is using tent lingo such as wind categories, uplift and drag, etc., make sure you understand what they’re saying. Reputable firms will provide you with an overview of the set up of the tent(s) with respect to the safety and sustainability with regard to weather conditions. Make sure the vendor you are doing business with relates all this information to you in a clear and understandable way. An important tip - the greater the speed of the wind, the greater the wind pressure. When the wind suddenly gusts thereby coming at you at a greater speed, that is when the tent you rented will feel the most wind pressure and be put to the test. Everything Entertainment had to recently demonstrate that its tents could sustain wind gusts when erecting tents at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, a high wind prone location.

• Everything Entertainment clients, such as the security details of federal officials, often look for proof that our tents meet industry standards. They want to be certain that our tents have engineering paperwork, meaning they have been evaluated and deter-mined to have proper strength with regard to weather conditions such as wind and that they are erected following local codes and ordinances. Local building codes determine various exposure conditions your tent may face based on where it is located, such as how near it is to man-made or natural structures. Ask your vendor about tent exposure as it relates to where you want to place your tent(s). See if your tent vendor is installing your tent using industry standards that have been set forth by Industrial Fabrics Association International and the International Building Code.

• Can your vendor include an extreme weather evacuation plan? If so, go over it with them and make sure you understand it. Make sure you understand how much time you may need to make the decision not to use a tent for your party, allowing for time to safely dismantle it and make alternate plans.

• Can they provide attendants to oversee the tent during the event, and how much extra will that cost? Everything Entertainment recommends having two event attendants to open and close sidewalls, handle turning lights on and off, re-positioning fans, etc.

And, above all, If the wind is too much during your event (over 25 mph or whatever the tent company recommends), and/or you are worried about your safety and the safety of your guests, just leave. Pack up the party and go somewhere else.

Everything Entertainment has decades of experience in safely erecting tents for a variety of events and occasions. For more information on tent safety and renting a tent for your event, contact Everything Entertainment at 718-556-3430 or www.EverythingEntertainment.com

Client Confidence

20x20 High Peak Tents and a 20x32 Stage

Client Confidence

Three years in a row, Everything Entertainment has supplied this event in Harlem with tents, tables, chairs, and staging. Over 20,000 guests attend the event at this historic national monument. Everything Entertainment has built confidence with this client by providing engineered tents and staging, all while protecting the venue.

30x30 Engineered Frame Tent setup in front of General Grant's Tomb.

Company Picnic on Staten Island

Company Picnic on Staten Island

Today, guests had a great time at their company picnic being entertained by our crew. Four challengers tried to knock each other off opposing pedestals on the Wrecking Ball, while youngsters enjoyed themselves in our Pirate Theme Inflatable Combo - featuring a bounce, climbing wall, and slide!

Children and adults also had a chance to cool off when they zipped down the Double Splash Water Slide. Lastly, memorable keepsakes were created right on site with the Everything Entertainment Open Air Photo Booth. Families received photo strips with the company's logo and were also able to email themselves an animated GIF of the photos they took.

lyft NYC Launch Production

lyft NYC Launch

From the custom built 6' tall vintage marquee style letters illuminated with classic Edison style bulbs to the string lights strung over the entrance and lounge area, Everything Entertainment handled the entire production and rentals for the lyft Launch Party in NY. Held at The 1896 in Brooklyn, the event equipment supplied blended perfectly with the rustic feel of the venue.

Everything Entertainment provided sub-flooring, green turf, string lighting, a stage, audio equipment, video projection, rustic theme rental bars, rustic picnic tables, and fire safety equipment to comply with FDNY's requirements.

Out Magazine Hot List 2014 Production

Out Magazine Hot List 2014

Everything Entertainment was excited being a part of Out Magazine's Hot List 2014 Party at The Carlton Hotel in NYC.

Everything Entertainment projected the logo onto the stage and other floor areas, plus provided colored LED lighting, stage lighting, the disc jockey equipment, and step & repeat wall. Additionally, a custom pedestal was built in the Everything Entertainment shop for a model to pose on.

Decorated High Peak First Birthday Tent

Beautifully Decorated High Peak Tent

One of our clients beautifully decorated one of our High Peak Pagoda Tents for their child's first birthday. Also supplied by Everything Entertainment was our white concession wagon, 48" round tables, garden chairs with padded seats, and white vinyl garden umbrellas.

Call Everything Entertainment to start planning your event: 718-556-3430

Clear Tents for Transformers 4 Premiere

Clear Tents for Premiere

With a sudden change in the weather report, Clear Top Tents with air conditioning was requested for the Transformers 4 Premiere in NYC at the classic Ziegfeld Theater. Contacted by 15/40 Productions who designed the arrivals and regularly works with Everything Entertainment, needed to cover the arrivals. In addition to Mark Whalberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, a slew of other Hollywood talent, and paparazzi, an area for 600 fans also needed to fit within the tented area. To meet the NYC Mayor's office requirements and Department of Buildings, Everything Entertainment selected three clear top tents for the main area. The 15x125' tent held the Bumblebee Camaro and was the first portion of the arrivals. The largest tent was a 30x150' Clear Top Maxi Frame Tent. The third tent was a 20x40' Clear Top Tent, which needed to be carefully placed right against the theater's marquee, needed to accommodate the 14' tall, 1,000 pound replica of the Bumblebee transformers robot.

Additional tents were supplied for Will-Call, the A/V booth, and Promotion area.  to secure the tents, over 60,000 lbs of cement block weight was used, 80,000 BTU's of  air conditioning, a dozen tent cooling fans were used to help circulate the air.

Easter at Rockefeller Center

The Easter Bunny at Rockefeller Center

Everything Entertainment is proud to provide the Easter Bunny at Rockefeller Center again this year. We're looking forward to entertaining hundreds of youngsters during special event.

Springtime Carnival Amusements

Springtime Carnival Amusements

A beautiful spring day in Queens, New York, played host to a fun-filled carnival attended by thousands. Everything Entertainment provided a multitude of inflatable amusements, including the Figure 8 Crash Course Obstacle Course, a Theme Bouncer, Tropical Maze, Pirate Ship Combo, Bungee Run, and more. Generator power from our studio quiet generator provided the electricity for the amusements too.

Everything Entertainment handled acquiring permits from the NYC Department of Buildings and NYC Department of Consumer Affairs for the event as well. 

Clear Top Wedding Tent

Clear Top Wedding Tent

A 30x50' clear top frame tent was installed for Allison & Alex's wedding reception, held in Brooklyn, NY. A blue glow emanated from LED tent lighting, while a projection of the couple's monogram shone on the parquet wood dance floor. The tent was secured with cement block weight since it was setup on a stone surface. Round tables topped with cherry red linens were surrounded with garden chairs, and cathedral window style sidewalls provided privacy from partially obscuring the view of people passing by.

Community Day in NYC

Amusements for Community Day in NYC

Everything Entertainment setup it's new Tiger Slide for a community day in New York City. For five years, inflatable amusements, carnival tents, and cotton candy have been provided for this fun festival in Manhattan. Several thousand guests enjoy themselves throughout the day. A silent generator was also provided to power the event.

Tents for Polo Match

Tents for Polo Match

A 60x120' and 40x100' Everything Entertainment Tension Tents were setup in addition to a dozen 20x20 High Peak Marquee Tents were setup in Suffolk County, NY for a Polo Match.

Since the tents were being used for a television shoot, the High Peak Marquee Tents needed to be raised to 12' legs and custom sidewalls needed to be fabricated.

Seating for 600 extras, air conditioning for the tension tents, and other assorted rentals were also supplied by Everything Entertainment. Temporary flooring was setup prior to installing the equipment to protect the ground and removed before the event began. Prior to the trucks and fork lifts were brought back in for the strike, temporary flooring was installed once again.

Corporate Presentation

Corporate Presentation Tent

A presentation for seventy five guests was held in the middle of a Long Island golf course on a beautiful July morning. Everything Entertainment setup a 30x45' frame tent with a smooth white tent liner and draped the tent legs with matching white fabric. Our 12x24' stage was carpeted with light grey turf and two large flat screen monitors were setup on top. Seventy-five white garden chairs with padded seats were supplied, as was several tables that held the continental breakfast.