I organized and hosted a large event at a local cabaret to celebrate Heated Rivalry. My birthday, one of the character’s birthdays, Pride month, and an open day at the venue happened to line up perfectly. I had a connection at the space, so was able to use it just for the business it would bring in, but I made and funded everything else myself. Since it was my birthday, I invested a bit more than I would have probably normally, but folks seemed to have fun!
There were 110 free tickets available. The event “sold out,” though in the end not everyone showed up for their reservations. That was fine and gave everyone a bit more breathing room, but it was also a bummer because I bought, made, and prepared 110 of everything!
I made gift bags. I designed and printed and attached labels to the front of the bags (and a small venue label on the back). The bags had everything pictured above. I included a pen to make it easier for everyone and had postcards printed as an extra bonus.
I made friendship bracelet kits. I chose, ordered, and built over 110 kits with beads and elastic cord. The beads were rainbow and special ones that referenced the show. I put them in zip bags and included a little paper boat to build them in at the event, so beads wouldn’t be rolling away.
I made buttons. I designed them and then used my 1.25" button maker. I paired them with a paper fortune in a plastic capsule. The fortunes were tied to prizes at the end of the night. They were all basically quotes from the show. Unfortunately, a bunch of the winning fortunes were in the bags that were unclaimed because the of people that didn’t show up for their reservations.
I made some paper items - trivia sheets, emoji puzzles, and a coloring sheet. A main part of the event was trivia. I wrote all the trivia myself, made a slide show presentation (because the cabaret has a massive screen) and answer slides with screenshot evidence. I designed and printed the answer sheets. I also developed, designed, and printed emoji puzzles to go with the trivia, which were all quotes and references to the show. They were printed on the back of the trivia sheets. I included the coloring sheet in case folks had down time or needed an anxiety soother. I had colored pencils and markers available.
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I made cupcake toppers. I used 1" circle labels and printed the logo I designed and an image of the actors and then sandwiched them on toothpicks (logo on front/actors on back). I bought the pride flags. They both adorned cupcakes I commissioned from my neighbor who runs a small bakery.
I made prizes: I used my sublimation printer and heat press to make some prizes - mugs, bookmarks, and tote bags.
I developed some themed drinks and mocktails with the bartender at the venue.
I designed and made shirts for two of the servers and myself. I designed and cut the vinyl with my Silhouette, and modded the t-shirts to lace up. I mapped out the holes, slit the collar, and used my Kamsnaps eyelet setter, and then added the rainbow shoelaces.
I got to the venue about six hours early and set up almost everything myself. I ordered posters and a birthday banner. One of my posters was sadly in the wind by the end of the night, which was a bummer because they were spendy and I was hoping to reuse them for future events. Hopefully it’s a treasure for whoever took it! 
I set up a photo op. I sublimated the logo on a few fabric discs. They wouldn’t stick to the balloons very well, even though it was special tape for that purpose, so only one ended up in the final product.
And I got trophies made for the top three trivia teams. We had a “fan-shion” show, which was super cute, and the winner also got a trophy.
I made a bunch of stuff that didn’t work out, too, but I’ll spare myself the annoyance of revisiting those projects (though they were HOURS of work), haha!
I put this all together in three weeks because, though I had the idea much sooner, I didn’t get to meet with the venue director until then. Overall, I think it was a pretty good night!
Thanks for taking a look!
Wow. Just… WOW! You did an incredible job making a super fun fan night! So many great, custom details. I’m sorry some people flaked on their reservations… schmucks! It’s such a great show and the thought you put into everything - especially the trivia with screenshots and everything? - AMAZING! I think my favorite piece above is the “I can carry my own bag.” bag!
Congratulations! Your Heated Rivalry “Party” Event is a Featured Project this week!