Fall Fun in the Sun in Arkansas

Food Trucks

Entertainment Options

1600

Employees

1320

Feet

Fall Time Fun

The leaves are changing, and the air has a chill in it this wonderful time of year. Fall brings its vibrant colors with it, and for us, opportunities for amazing fall time company picnics. When a freight railcar manufacturer asked us to plan a company picnic in the beautiful fall scenery of Rector Memorial Park in Arkansas, we were all ears.

We booked their next big corporate shindig for the last weekend in September. Arkansas is beautiful this time of year, just as its foliage is beginning to turn those vibrant oranges and reds.

Our client wanted a large outdoor picnic to breathe in the crisp air and feel the warm Southern sun. It would focus on games, competition, and most importantly, team appreciation. Of course, as always, we were excited to help.

Preparing for the Day

September in Arkansas is still very much summer, though the leaves may have started to turn. The days stay in the mid-80s, so we were sure to bring plenty of awnings and umbrellas to keep the guests cool. We’d provide cooling refreshments, like iced tea or lemonade, and plenty of water to keep the employees hydrated as they enjoyed the games. We arrived at 7:00 that morning to begin our set up, the wide-open area we chose full of birdsong. Our pumps whirred as we blew up our inflatables and a cool breeze tickled our necks. For this event, we’d brought in a massive assortment of bouncers, inflatable games, and a giant slide, and we hoped our guests would be tickled pink.

Our food trucks arrived shortly after we did, bringing with them a marvelous cacophony of senses. The noises of their work filled the venue, as did the delicious scents from the day’s food being prepared. We’d organized multiple lines for our buffet, hoping to reduce wait time. After all, we were expected to have 1600 guests! As they busied themselves prepping BBQ and snacks, we worked setting up the game tables, attractions, and furnishings for the big day.

Games in the Sun

Our guests arrived at 11:00 sharp, filing in with a buzz and tangible excitement. As they entered, they were greeted with a live band playing their first set of the day, Arkansas native rock group, Fallen Within. We handed our wristbands and filled in registration for the employees and their families. The turnout was exactly as we’d prepared for. We had a full day planned, and while we’d coordinated a schedule, there was plenty of time for employees to enjoy all the entertainment we’d set up for them.

We’d brought in a slew of games, from Jenga to carnival booths. Guests lined up to try our Western Shootout carnival game, and others gravitated towards the Interactive Lounge setup. Our lounge was full of various tabletop games, from standard shuffleboard to some of our own unique games, like the Mind Puzzle puzzler game. We held rounds of Human Sprocket and Water Balloon Toss. There was an obstacle course for guests to try out, as well as an inflatable corn maze, a basketball shoot game, and a bungee cord run game. There really was no shortage of amusement. Looking on, the crowd buzzed and moved from one to another, chatter and laughter filling the air like music to our ears as they went.

Working up an Appetite

If they worked up an appetite from all the games, we’d prepared for that too. Our catering team served up juicy burgers and mouthwatering chili dogs, grilled fresh that morning. Our sides were picnic classics, like fresh salad, tangy baked beans, and creamy potato salad. We’d also brought in some fun foods to make the meal a little extra special. Guests were treated to oven-fresh cookies, tasty cotton candy, and freshly popped popcorn. If the Arkansas sun and cheering their fellow staff on made their throats a little dry, we’d also provided ice-cold sno-cones for them.

Family Day Fun

Over the course of the picnic, we held a variety of competitive games, each with their own prizes. Guests competed in Family Feud first that afternoon, before the CEO of the company gave a welcome speech. This was followed later by a round of corn hole, relay races, and tug of war. We easily got caught up in the action, as the crowd cheered the competitors on. Team games can easily sweep up a crowd in the excitement, and even as onlookers, it’s hard not to get lost in the fun. The energy was like static, in the best way possible, as voices rang out and laughter chimed. It gives you a rush and brings a smile to your face every time. It never gets dull.

The afternoon was full of good music, enjoyable games, and a flurry of excitement and buzz of chatter from the group. Laughter and conversation filled the air, and the day flew by at an astounding pace. The sun reached its zenith, and began its descent to the horizon, casting the picnic in a beautiful golden light as it went. Guests took turns in the photo booth as our own team busied ourselves in the background. We would glance up and feel good knowing they’d have a tangible keepsake of this day’s memories. The smiles on their faces brought light to our hearts as we watched on.

All in a Day’s Work

The event wore to a close at 4:00 with the band wrapping up their final set of the day. They’d played four amazing sets, and it’d been a joy to hear. Our little enclave slowly emptied as our guests filed out. We could see the joy on the employee’s faces and knew our job here had been well done.

It’s always cathartic for us to be able to bring an amazing team a wonderful event to remember. As we watched them return to their cars, we felt a little proud of ourselves, having brought it all together. We hoped this event, the games, the prizes, and the camaraderie, would stay fresh in their minds for a long time. It definitely would in ours.

The sun was now low in the sky, though its heat hadn’t quite faded yet. The air had that early-fall chill to it, but we stayed plenty warm as we broke down our equipment and packed up. In the end, we felt rejuvenated, and we hoped our guests did, too.

The buzz and joy from an event always carries us through to the next, and we suspected it might for the employees, too. It had been a successful day, and our jobs had been well done. Now, it was on to the next.