Bobrick’s Luau in the Park

Menu Options

330

Minutes of Fun

400

Staff and Their Families

Games, Rides, and Attractions

A Tropical Cookout

It was a warm summer afternoon when we were contacted by Bobrick washroom accessory company to help organize a staff and family day for their employees. Bobrick is a top-of-the-line company, one who values their staff and knows how important it is to show how much they are appreciated. Since it’s inception 100 years ago, Bobrick has made it a mission to give back to their valued staff and have partnered with us for employee appreciation events countless times in recent years.

Bobrick wanted to throw their staff an exciting picnic with team building activities in the beautiful Montecillo de Leo Politi Park nearby their North Hollywood headquarters. We’ve worked with the amazing staff at this park numerous times, and for this company cookout, we’d be renting out the Old Lodge section. Bobrick wanted a theme suited to the warm California summer, so they decided on our Luau company picnic theme. When planning a culturally significant theme, we take care to ensure it’s always culture-appropriate (see some of our inclusive picnic ideas for more on that). Together, we planned a day full of excitement, games, and entertainment for their employees. From competitive games with fun prizes, to authentic Polynesian dancers from a local troupe, we knew their staff would have a blast, just like they hoped.

Making Magic

The day started early for us, at 6:00. We always like to arrive early and have everything set up far ahead of the picnic’s starting time. The sun was pale in the sky, casting the picturesque lawns of the park in soft light, its heat fair and welcoming as we began preparations. On the asphalt at the Lodge, we set up the hub for the company barbeque. In the center of the pavement, we set up picnic tables and decked them out in vibrantly colored tablecloths. This would be the center spot, where Bobrick’s employees and their families could come to kick back between rounds of games. It would be the epicenter of the entire staff BBQ, and we were sure to make it look the part.

Plenty of Fun

Surrounding the picnic tables were the booths for our barbeque vendors. The vendors arrived early just like us to begin cooking hotdogs and hamburgers for that day’s cookout. We’d helped Bobrick craft an amazing menu, with barbeque ribs, teriyaki chicken, tropical fruit salad, veggie burgers, novelty ice cream, mouthwatering kettle corn, and more. Bobrick wanted a classic cookout feast and lots of options, so every member of their staff could find something they’d love.

On the grassy greens of the park, we set up plenty of game booths. We brought in various carnival games, from ring toss to a tabletop horseshoe game.

Our team busied themselves inflating an ocean-themed bounce house and setting up a gigantic Slip-n-Slide. The Slip-n-Slide, once inflated, towered incredibly high, and we hoped it’d provide a fun way for the cookout guests to cool off between challenges.

On the note of challenges, Bobrick wanted some fun inflatable sports games, so we brought in three giant setups for their staff to enjoy.

Let the Festivities Begin!

The morning passed quickly for our crew, who hustled and bustled setting up more entertainment and putting each final touch on every booth and table. The smell of barbeque beckoned to us, but we knew we had work to be done. It’s always an honor to be the ones to make a space, and an event, magical. We were already eagerly anticipating Bobrick’s staff’s arrival, and their reactions to our setup. It’s never stopped being extraordinary to witness.

At 10:30, shuttles full of staff and families arrived on the scene, and the company BBQ was officially under way. 400 guests in total ushered out of the shuttles. Just as we, and Bobrick, had hoped, you could see the joy on their faces. It’s a wonderful sight, seeing folks’ eyes light up and dart from attraction to attraction. We love watching the cogs turning in their minds on what game to play or which food to try first.

Staff and families lined up at our registration booth, where they got their brightly colored leis to don. Here, they had their pick of branded water bottles and other goodies to take with them. From there, the fun began. At 11:00, our game leader took the stage to welcome the picnic-goers and set the scene for the day.

Like Music to Our Ears

The park, which only hours before had been empty and silent, was now alive and vibrant. Children laughed and played, conversations hummed in the air, and people moved around, laughing and talking. It was as if they were the spark to ignite this location’s heartbeat. The excitement and joy were palpable all around us.

Guests tried their hand at our mechanical surfboard, and others tried out the giant rock wall we’d set up that morning. The sounds of rings hitting bottles from the carnival booth rang out. Tiny feet and laughter floated on the summer air from the bouncer. Staff and their families tried their hand at our Soccer Kick, Quarterback Toss, and Strike Zone inflatable games. Laughter and voices drifted our way from the Slip-n-Slide, like music to our ears.

A Day of Fun

At 11:00, our face painter opened his booth to the guests. For the rest of the day, a steady line was at his booth. As the event went on, the crowd became more and more decorated with beautiful and bright airbrushed art. It was a sight to behold, and our photographers were sure to capture it.

Shortly after, our costumed dancers arrived and spent time greeting and mingling with every guest at the company picnic. When they’d met everyone, they took to the stage and began their performance. There were multiple routines and performers, and the crowd was swept away by it all. Music mingled with cheers and applause, and each performer did an absolutely astounding job. It’s always an honor to partner with such amazing talents for an event. Once the performance was over, the dancers took time for photos with the guests.

Fun in the Sun

Bobrick had brought out all the stops for this company picnic, including some fun competitions and awesome prizes. Their staff and their families tried their hands at a variety of games, from hula hoop contests to a pie eating contest. It was a blast to watch groups having fun and trying out each game. The crowd was excited, and we knew then that the picnic was a success.

As families filed into the photobooths and picked up their prizes, the picnic began to wind to an end. We watched on as groups got their photos taken by themselves and alongside the performers, and knew they’d have plenty of keepsakes to remember this big staff and family fun day. Their colorful leis draped over their necks and eyes still full of glee and wonder, we could tell the memories they made today would stay with them for a long time.

Making Memories

It was 4:00 when the event came to a close, and the shuttle pulled up with a hiss. The crowd, still abuzz with chatter and laughter, boarded on and departed.

The air in the park grew still as they, in the parking lot down the way, bustled into their cars. It was mid-afternoon now, and the sun was beginning its descent for the night.

We deflated the bouncers and games and began packing away the tents. The park had returned to the silent spot it had been that morning, but the traces of jubilation lingered in the air and in our hearts.

The energy still bounded through us, and Bobrick’s guests’ enthusiasm carried us through our work.

As we packed away the last booth, we knew the staff cookout had been a success. We’d done our job, and we knew the staff and their families had exactly the perfect day Bobrick had wanted them to.