Location, Location, Location
If your school, church or social organization is planning on having a fund raiser at a location that is not already known by the people you hope will attend, make absolutely sure that you select a location that is highly visible. Many vacant grocery store parking lots on main roads are a good eye catching location.
When you approach the owners of such a location, tell them that you are raising money for your organization and that you would like to use their lot for a carnival set-up. Tell the owner that this is tax deductible and that there will be news coverage there to honor them for their charitable deed. Wal-Mart is an excellent location to set-up as well. They are very neighborhood friendly and the traffic is enormous at most Wal-mart locations.
The worst thing you can do is select a poor location that doesn't attract attention. When you are in a high-traffic location and the rides are set-up, children will see them and you will get the parents out to your event. Scout out your location in advance making many contacts with execs of companies etc. Don't just throw your event together on a whim. Make sure you plan it out completely starting with location. Fun Source also has skydancers that dance 30 feet in the air to guarantee your event will be seen by those passing by. *************HIGHLY VISIBLE********* HIGHLY VISIBLE*************
Space and Power Needs
Fun Source has been in the party rental business for 7 years and by far the worst events for us to set-up are the ones where the person in charge does not understand that you need power and a layout in order to ensure a precise and timely set-up. Regardless of which party rental company you decide to go with, every company dreads dealing with the person in charge that does not have a clue as to what he/she is doing. PLAN IN ADVANCE!!! Find out the dimensions of all the pieces of equipment you are renting and draw a layout in the available space..
It is important to know the power requirements of every piece of equipment you are renting for your fund raiser or carnival. Fun Source is not responsible for power at your event. Should you need generators, Fun Source does rent generators. Power cords should not be over 100 feet per item. If you have power issues, then it is advisable to rent a generator. Remember you will need power cords for each piece of equipment. The blowers for the inflatables are on the back of the units, so try to position your inflatables in a way that keeps the extension cords to the back of the units. This will prevent any tripping hazards at your event.
Note: You need a relatively level surface on grass or concrete for set-up. Fun Source will not set-up an inflatable on sand or dirt. This causes extremely long cleanup time of our equipment after your event is finished. This includes volleyball courts, beaches, dirt infields etc... Also, it is advisable to put one person in charge of the layout to avoid any confusion when we arrive to set-up your event. Usually each truck has approx. 6-8 deliveries a day and time is important to our drivers as we do not wish to make anyone late with their event. If you have further questions please do not hesitate to call us.
Making Money at Your Event
The following is a suggested price guideline to follow when charging admission to our pieces of equipment. If it is your intention to make a profit from your equipment then we recommend you follow our pricing guidelines for a successful event. If you want to make it affordable for your families and don't want to charge as much as the recommendations below, then be aware that you may lose money. We have seen many customers lose money simply because they would not follow our advise on this subject. We have been in this business a while and know what most parents will and will not pay.
Moonwalks |
$1.00/ approx. 3 minutes |
| Pirate Ship Combo | $1.00/ approx. 3 minutes |
| Twist & Shout | |
| 22' Tropical Waterfalls | $2.00/ 2 slides |
| First n Goal (Reverse Bungee) | $1.00/ 2 tries |
| Water Slides other than 22' | $1.00/ 2 slides |
| 26' Rock Climb | $5.00/ 1 Climb or $8.00 for 2 Climbs *** Premium Money Maker*** |
| Wacky World Combo | $1-2 per 3 minutes (Ride will hold 12 Children at a time) |
| Combo Units (Other Combos) | $1-2 per 3 minutes ( Most rides will hold 12 -15 children at a time) |
| Mini Ball/Bounce/Slide Combo | $1 per 3 minutes |
| HomeRun Derby | $1 for 3 hits... If a HomeRun is hit the player gets candy or a small item |
| Basketball Challenge (The contestants shoot against each other) |
$1- 2 per game (30 seconds the winner
plays again against the challenger) This sets up people wanting to beat
the incumbent winner |
| Mountain Climb | $3.00/ 1 climb/ 3 minutes Premium Money Maker, Line all day long, you can run 4 persons at a time on this piece. |
| Bungee Run | $1.00/ 2 tries |
| UpRoar | |
| Swings | $2-$3 per ride/ 2.5minutes per ride Premium Money Maker |
| Whirley Bird Ride | $2 per ride/ 3 minutes per ride Premium Money Maker |
| Rock n Roll Ride | $2 per ride/ 2.5 minutes per ride Premium Money Maker |
| 8 Horse Carousel (9 and under) | $1 per ride |
| Trackless Train (16 persons per ride) | $1-$2 per ride children & adults Premium Money Maker |
| Racer Train | |
| Roller Racers (Excellent Money Maker) | $1 per ride/ 3 minutes per ride Premium Money Maker |
| Noah's Ark | $1 per 3 minutes (Large Capacity for Kids) |
| Thomas 3 in 1 | $1 per 3 minutes (Large Capacity for Kids) |
| Bouncer Maze | $1 per 3 minutes (Large Capacity for Kids) |
| Deluxe 3 in 1 Combo | $1 per 3 minutes (Large Capacity for Kids) |
| Jonah & The Whale | $2-$3 per 2 slides/ children & adults Premium Money Maker |
| 18' Backyard Slide | $1 per 3 slides Premium Money Maker |
| Screamer Slide | $3/ 4 minutes (high child output) Premium Money Maker |
| Water Slides | $1/ 3 minutes |
| Wind Tunnels (Caterpillar, Puffy, Fire Engine) | $1/ 3 minutes |
| Sea of Balls | $1/ 3 minutes |
| Bungee Bullride ( No one under 10 years old) | $2/ 2 rides ( Excellent money maker) |
| Ladder Climb | $1/ 2 tries |
| 60' Ultimate Obstacle Course | $1 per race (high child & adult output) |
| Velcro Wall | $2/ 3 minutes |
| Bouncy Boxing | $2/ 3 minutes |
| Pedestal Joust | $1/ 2 tries |
| 33' Slip n Slide | $1/ 2 slides |
| Dunktanks *** Premium Money Maker *** |
$1/ 3 balls - make this some what hard, put the kids back a little way from the target to assure they do not hit every time. Also, if you can get the person being dunked to crack on the thrower, you will make a ton of money. |
| High Striker | $1/ 2 tries |
| Games | .50 -$1/ Varies depending on your prizes - ask for help from Gerald on our staff should you need plush toys. |
| Sno Cones | $1/ per cone |
| Popcorn | $1/ per bag |
| Cotton Candy | $1/ per cone |
Staffing Your Event
There are organizations that you can call on to get volunteers for your events. The Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center has a list of organizations that work in their facilities to raise money. You can call them and ask for their lists. Also, many high school bands as well as athletic boosters try to raise money for trips etc. Another idea is to try large churches that are trying to raise money for mission trips etc.
Be very careful about using teens for your event, our experience with teens is they are very accustom to wandering, chatting with friends and may not be doing their job of watching the attraction they are in charge of. Be clear that if they are not doing their job then they will not be paid. Have an adult in charge of checking on equipment staffed by teens. Remember, children's safety is the primary reason for having attendants at each piece of equipment.
Review this chart for the staffing needs for specific equipment:
Moonwalks |
1 volunteer |
| Pirate Ship Combo | 1 Volunteer |
| UpRoar | We Provide an operator (You can provide 1 volunteer to speed up the flow of people and increase profits) |
| 22' Tropical Waterfalls | 2 Volunteers |
| First n Goal (Reverse Bungee) | 1 Volunteer |
| Water Slides other than 22' | 1 Volunteer |
| 26' Rock Climb | Fun Source Provides an operator If you provide 1 volunteer to help with putting on the harnesses your profits will increase because of faster turnover... but it is not required |
| Wacky World Combo | 1-2 Volunteers |
| Combo Units (Other Combos) | 1-2 Volunteers |
| Mini Ball/Bounce/Slide Combo | 1 Volunteer ( Can be a Teen) |
| HomeRun Derby | 1 Volunteer |
| Basketball Challenge (The contestants shoot against each other) |
1 Volunteer |
| Mountain Climb | 1 -5 people depending on how many sides of the mountain you are running. You can run up to 4 sides therefore increasing your hourly output of riders. You need one volunteer for each side to belay the participants ensuring safe operation. Men and women can operate, however, the women should only belay the girls of average weight and younger boys 11yrs and down. Fun Source staff will give detailed instruction to volunteers after set-up. |
| Bungee Run | 1 volunteer |
| Swings | Fun Source provides 1 operator. You will also need 1 volunteer to increase speed of loading and unloading. |
| Whirley Bird Ride | 1 Volunteer |
| Rock n Roll Ride | 2 Volunteers/ Men preferably |
| 8 Horse Carousel (9 and under) | 1 Volunteer/ older teen to adult |
| Trackless Train (16 persons per ride) | Fun Source Provides driver, You will need 1 volunteer to help in loading and unloading passengers. |
| Fire Engine (12 persons per ride) | Fun Source Provides driver, You will need 1 volunteer to help in loading and unloading passengers. |
| Roller Racers (Excellent Money Maker) | 1 volunteer |
| Noah's Ark | 2 Volunteers - 1 at beginning, 1 at ending of unit |
| Thomas 3 in 1 | 2 Volunteers - 1 at beginning, 1 at ending of unit |
| Bouncer Maze | 2 Volunteers - 1 in front, 1 at back of unit |
| Deluxe 3 in 1 Combo | 2 Volunteers - 1 at beginning, 1 at ending of unit |
| Titanic Giant Slide | Fun Source provides 1 operator. You will also need 1 volunteer to increase speed of loading and unloading. |
| 18' Backyard Slide | 1 Volunteer/ adult, no teens |
| Screamer Slide | 1 very Strict volunteer/ no teens |
| Water Slides | 1 volunteer |
| Wind Tunnels (Caterpillar, propella, puffy, fire) | 2 volunteers preferable |
| Sea of Balls | 1 Volunteer/ teen or adult |
| Bungee Bullride ( No one under 10 years old) | 1 adult volunteer/ absolutely no children under 10 years old on this piece, you will be required to sign a waiver stating this. |
| Ladder Climb | 1 volunteer/ teen or adult |
| 60' Ultimate Obstacle Course | 2 Volunteers - 1 in front, 1 at back of unit |
| Velcro Wall | 2 Volunteers - 1 to help suit up and the other to operate |
| Bouncy Boxing | 1 volunteer |
| Pedestal Joust | 1 Volunteer |
| 33' Slip n Slide | 1 Volunteer |
| Dunktanks (EXCELLENT MONEY MAKER) |
2 Volunteers - 1 handling the throwers and the other in the tank |
| High Striker | 1 volunteer |
| Games | 1 volunteer |
| Sno Cones | 1 volunteer |
| Popcorn | 1 volunteer |
| Cotton Candy | 1 volunteer |
Request Donations for Giveaways & Prizes
Approach local businesses, health clubs, restaurants etc.. about donating to your cause. It's easy to acquire many goodies from businesses if you have a worthy cause. Many businesses, organizations etc... are very willing to donate items such as dinner for two, household items, manicures, haircuts, movie rentals, free memberships, even a moonwalk occasionally for noble causes. When trying to raise funds, consider either a silent auction, or for a $2 donation from each person, a raffle drum drawing of prizes for doorprizes.