Planning Wedding Music
Music is a very important aspect of wedding ceremonies and receptions. Music sets the mood of the event and gets the party rolling at the reception. When planning a wedding, it is important to consider what type of music you want to include.
For those on a budget, prerecorded music can be a simple solution. I have been to a wedding where the music consisted of a boom box and a member of the wedding party hit play at the appropriate moment. It was a simple and functional solution. With today’s technology, you can set up a play list on an MP3 for guests to dance to during the entire reception and simply hook the MP3 up to speakers.
When using pre-recorded music, having a DJ will make the event progress more smoothly. DJs are very popular for receptions as they can pick and choose the right music for the moment and take special requests from the guests. They can also make announcements and help move the event along. DJ’s will generally bring a wide selection of music and may bring their own equipment to play the music on as well. Be sure when discussing the event that it is clear who is providing what. If there are specific songs want for your wedding, make sure the DJ has them or procure them as necessary for your event. If you want a particular type of music at your event, such as country or classical, be sure the DJ knows.
Having live musicians is ideal for a wedding ceremony. Pre-recorded music cannot change in tempo when things go slower or faster or make last minute improvisations when things change. Experienced wedding performers generally have a wide repertoire of wedding music and can improvise as necessary. Live musicians can be expensive though as their rates compensate them not just for the time they are playing at your event, but also for the practicing and rehearsing that is necessary for their trade. A popular option for weddings is to hire musicians for the ceremony and have a DJ for the receptions. This particularly makes sense when the wedding and reception are at separate venues.
There are many choices when hiring musicians for an event. Do you want classical music at your event? If you like strings, you can hire a soloist, a duo, a trio, a quartet, or a larger group. You can also hire a brass ensemble, use a pianist or organist, have a singer, or pick a performer with pretty much any instrument you like. For instance, a harpist makes an unusual and lovely choice for a wedding ceremony. Keep in mind, the more musicians in the group, the more the group will cost. When looking for musicians, ask friends for referrals, check with the local orchestras, schools, and universities. Not every musician plays weddings, but many will be able to refer you to someone who does. You might be able to find students who are willing to perform for a lower rate; however, be realistic about your expectations. There are some very good young musicians, but the best performers will likely charge more money regardless of their age and schooling level.
Would you prefer rock music for your wedding? Or perhaps you want classical music for the ceremony and a rock band for the reception? There are many bands that play events, or you can hire a singing guitarist to entertain your guests. Watch for local bands that suit your tastes, and ask them if they would be willing to perform at your wedding. Whatever kind of musician you choose, know what you are getting. It is advisable to listen to the performers prior to the event. If you cannot go to a live performance, listen to a recording.
Whether you have hired musicians or a DJ, be considerate of them on the event day. If you have booked the musicians for an hour, do not expect them to stay longer if things go astray. You can ask, but remember they may have other engagements later in the day, and if they do stay longer, pay them accordingly. If you are happy with the performers, tip them and refer them to your friends when they are planning events.
Wedding music can get expensive, but if the event is a success it is well worth the expense and effort required. After all, theses are the entertainers for your event and their performance may be the difference between a ho hum party and an event that the guests will remember for years.
Make a Scene: Creating a backdrop and set pieces for events
When adding a theme or setting to a party or event, backdrops and scenery can be useful additions. For instance, if you are putting together a princess birthday party, a castle might be the desired setting. While you could rent a facility that is already decorated as a castle, if that is not a realistic option for your event, you can make a castle yourself. Set pieces and scenery can be as simple or complex as your skill and budget allow.
Perhaps the easiest way to create a backdrop is to paint a mural on a wall, but very few venues will allow you to paint on their walls. Plus, murals take time to paint and often set up time for venue rental is minimal. Therefore for most events you will need a backdrop and/ or set pieces that can be created off site and are easy to set up and remove without damaging the venue where you are holding the event. If the event is taking place outdoors, you will additionally need your scenery to be weather resistant. Most venues have walls and other structural features that can be used to attach or lean the scenery against, but if the venue is an open space, the scenery may need to be self supporting as well.
In the theater, it is common to use muslin stretched on a wood frame and stapled in place with a staple gun. The muslin can then be painted like a canvas. You can create the frame work as a large backdrop or smaller set pieces. Foe instance, you can paint the castle and scenery on a large square or create a frame shaped like a castle and stretch the muslin to fit. You can also create 3D buildings by making multiple muslin and wood walls. If the walls need to be self supporting, you can add wood supports to the back.
If weather is a concern, using plywood may be a better option. Plywood has the disadvantage of being heavier and more difficult to transport, but it has the benefits of being sturdier and weather resistant. You do not necessarily need to put a frame on plywood as it is self supporting; however, if you are using very large pieces supports or re-enforcement may be necessary.
Particle board is a cheaper option then plywood, though the texture of the board can be a concern. There are other options available at the hardware store that you can paint on as well. Take a walk through look at the various materials available. Talk to the employees for suggestions.
For events on a tight budget, consider using cardboard. Cardboard can be easily cut to shape with a box knife. Check with stores that sell large items to see if they have any scrap cardboard they would be willing to give you.
Paper, such as newsprint, is a real economy option; however, newsprint and other lightweight papers are easily damaged and wrinkle when you paint them. If you are using paper, you will need to attach the artwork securely to a wall. Make sure the venue where you are holding your event will allow you to do so. You can use thumb tacks, masking tape, or poster putty, but each of these may cause damage to the wall and there is always the possibility that the paper will fall down or get torn during the event.
Depending on the complexity of your scenery or backdrop and your artistic skill, you can either draw your design directly on the material or you can use a slide or opaque projector and trace your image. A projector makes transferring images much simpler. Be realistic about your skills as an artist when designing your artwork. If you are not much of a painter, don’t try for photo realism.
You can use artists acrylic paints, wall paints, or tempera paints. Make sure whichever paint you use suites the material you are painting on. For instance, if you are painting on lightweight paper, avoid thick wall paints as the paper will not support it. If you are using the painting outdoors, make sure the paint is weather resistant. Keeping the color pallet to a minimum can reduce your paint costs. You can buy primary colors and mix them with most paints, however if you have large areas in single colors, like a blue sky or a brown wall, it may make sense to buy a large container of that color instead of attempting to mix it.
If you are trying to create textures, such as a wall texture, a sponge or a rag can be a useful tool. Consider purchasing a book to help you learn texture techniques. As long as the material you are using is sturdy enough (muslin or plywood), you can use masking tape to block the paint and help you create straight lines, then remove the tape once the paint is dry enough. Consider practicing techniques on a scrap piece of material. Your set piece will be only as good as your painting and construction skills.
When you finish creating your scenery and/ or set pieces, all that is left is to transport them to your venue and put them in place. Be sure to allow plenty of time in case any issues arise. It is a good idea to bring tape and other materials in case of damage in transport and set up. If you do not have a lot of time to set up at the event venue, practice setting the pieces up off site to make sure that you have resolved any issues before the day of the event.
Constructing scenery and set pieces can be complicated and does require a certain amount of artistry. Volunteering to help with set construction at a theater company or school is a good way to gain skills and make sure you are not getting in above your head with your plans. If you decide that you are not up to the task but would still like to include some set pieces or scenery consider hiring someone to create the work for you. Contact your local community theaters or university theater departments for referrals if you are interested in hiring someone to create your set pieces. You might be able to get a student to do the work for a lower rate than a professional.
Sometimes you can find set pieces and scenery that are already completed to rent or purchase for an event. If you see a theater production with set pieces you would like to use, ask the theater company if they would be able to rent them to you for your event. Remember that sets are often taken apart immediately following the production, so make arrangements as soon as possible to avoid being too late. You can also contact AZ Party Rents to discuss whether or not we have anything available that might work for your occasion.
After an event is completed, you will need to take down your scenery and set pieces. If you have rented them, you will need to return them. If the scenery and set pieces are yours, you might be able to reuse them as is for another event or if you used muslin or plywood, you can repaint them for additional events or reuse the materials. Theater departments often use the same materials over and over again for many shows.
Holding a Carnival Themed Party
What is your favorite part of the carnival? Is it the roller coasters and other rides, the Midway Games, or the Cotton Candy? Carnivals are fun for everyone, especially kids, so a carnival theme is a great choice for a birthday party or other fun event.
Perhaps the simplest way to have a carnival themed party is to hold the party at an amusement park such as Castles n Coasters located in Phoenix, Arizona. Most amusement parks offer birthday party and event packages which make planning your party a cinch.
A party at an amusement park might not be quite what you are after. Perhaps you want to avoid the crowds and lines that go along with the amusement park experience or your budget does not allow for the price of the park’s party package. You use a carnival theme for a party at any venue.
How many people do you want to invite to the party? What is your budget? Where do you want to hold your party? How complicated do you want things to be? How much time do you have to set things up?
Parties can be held at a home, at a restaurant, at a ballroom, or at another event venue. The choices are only limited by your budget and time. If you are planning a party on a small budget, consider holding the party at a city park. You can generally reserve picnic areas for a very affordable price. If the party is small, most parks have picnic tables that are available on a first come first serve basis for free. While rain is unlikely to be a concern in much of Arizona during most of the year, you should plan your party where you have access to shade, especially if the party is during the summer months when the weather gets pretty hot.
Once you have picked your event venue and date, you need to make your invitations. Your local party or dollar store will probably have pre-made invitations that you can hand-write the date and pertinent information in or you can get custom invitations made at copy stores, print shops, or the photo processing departments of many stores.
While you are at the party or dollar store, check to see what other goodies you can find. These stores are great for table clothes, paper plates, cups, napkins, balloons, party favors, and decorations. You should be able to find many of these things with a carnival or related theme.
If you purchase a cake for your party, have it decorated to match the theme. You can also make your own cake and decorate it yourself. If you are making a cake, consider getting plastic animals or other figures to place on top to help it match your theme. Cupcakes can also be lots of fun.
Consider having Cotton Candy at your party. AZ Party Rents has cotton candy machines and other concession equipment available to rent for parties.
After you have the venue, invitations, and food squared away, think about what you are going to do for entertainment. Inflatables make a fun addition to a party. The Wild One Obstacle Course which looks like a roller coaster might be a good choice. Make sure that the venue you are holding your party at allows inflatables and if a permit is required, be sure to get it taken care of in advance. Carnival games are also lots of fun at a party. Balloon artists, clowns and other entertainers help complete the carnival atmosphere.
Carnival are lots of fun and your carnival themed party is sure to be a blast. Once all your planning is complete, have a great time at your party!
Planning an Arizona Wedding
Congratulations! A wedding can be a very complicated event to plan as everyone has their own dream of what their wedding will be like. Here are some suggestions to help you plan your dream wedding.
Weddings can range from a simple event to an extravagant affair with hundreds of guests. The number of guests makes a huge difference, so one of the first things you should do when planning a wedding is figure out the guest list. Knowing the number of guests is necessary to determine all of the other details for your event. Is the wedding just going to consist of the couple and their immediate family, are a few friends going to be included as well, or is this going to be a gala event with everyone the couple knows? Not everyone who is invited to an event will attend; however, once someone is invited, it would be a huge faux pas to try to rescind the invitation. Remember that most people will bring a significant other or guest to the event and plan accordingly. If the event is going to be very small and intimate, make sure it is clear from the get go that only the guests listed on the envelopes are to be included.
Pick a venue for the event. Will the ceremony and reception take be at the same place or separate venues? Be sure your venue(s) can accommodate the maximum number of people you think may attend. When you are picking a venue, consider whether you want your event indoors or outdoors. If the event is outdoors, plan for the weather. Arizona has beautiful weather most of the year, but even if it does not rain, guests will appreciate shade. Consider tenting part or all of the event if shelter is not available at your venue.
When considering the rental price of the venue, be sure to keep in mind what amenities the venue includes and what you will need to provide. Some venues are all inclusive while others may only include the space for your wedding in which case you will need to provide tables and chairs and any other wedding furnishings. If you want to keep the stress of planning your wedding to a minimum, an all inclusive venue might be the way to go.
Pick a date. Consider whether you want to have your event on a weekday or on the weekend. Weekend events are more popular since it is usually easier for everyone to attend; however, if your guests are able to attend during the week, a weekday event may be more affordable and most venues are more likely to be available during week then on the weekend for short notice events. If you have a very specific date in mind, be prepared to consider alternate venues in case your first choice is not available. The farther ahead you plan, the more likely you will get the space you want on the date you want.
Get the required paperwork prior to the wedding. In Arizona, you can pick up a wedding license at the county clerk office which is generally located in the probate or circuit court. The license is valid one year from its issue date and there is no waiting period for the license.
Once you have a definite date and your venue is reserved, put together your invitations. If it is very far in advance, you might consider sending out a save the date notice first. The actual invitation should be sent early enough for out of town guests to make travel arrangements. Be sure the invitation includes clear RSVP directions so you can be sure to know how many people are expected to attend. There will generally be a deadline by which you time must give caterers and the venue a final number of expected guests, so make sure your RSVP date is prior to this deadline and gives you enough time to contact any guests who have not responded to your invitation. If you find yourself with less guests then you want, you can also send out a few additional invitations as long as there is still enough time for the guests to RSVP.
Pick a caterer. Some people have friends and family take care of the food. Some venues include the food in the price or have their own exclusive caterers. If neither of these is the case, shop around and pick a caterer you like and can afford. Choose a menu with the caterer. If the caterer is not providing the wedding cake, make arrangements for the cake as well.
Figure out the details. Who is officiating the wedding? Be sure to book this person far enough in advance so you can have your first choice. What is everyone wearing? Is the wedding going to have a theme or anything goes? Will their be bridesmaids and groomsmen? How many? What is the bride wearing? How about the groom? Will there be a rehearsal dinner and where? Who is planning the bachelor party and the bridal shower? Are you going to give out party favors? What flowers do you want? Who will be taking photos? What music are you going to have? Do you want to book a strings quartet or a DJ or perhaps both? There are so many details to plan with a wedding and it can definitely be stressful and get overwhelming. Be sure to get help and lots of it. If all the planning stresses you out, consider hiring a wedding planner to make things easier.
It may be simpler to elope, but a wedding can be a once in a lifetime chance for a couple to feel like royalty and the memories will last long past the event. Make the day one that you will want to remember forever.
Make Your Own Invitations
Having a party? You can get pre-made invitations at the store and write in the pertinent information or have them custom printed, but if you really want to add a personal feel to your invitations, make your own. With a little computer know how, it isn’t hard to do.
For simple and inexpensive invitations, design your card to take up half of an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper. You can then print two cards at a time, cut the sheet in half, then fold the cards. The finished cards will measure 4.25”x5.5” and fit nicely into an A-2 envelope.
Decide whether you want your card to be vertical or horizontal. Using a layout or photo program, place your images and text as shown in the diagrams below. You can add additional photos or information if you like on inside and back of the card. A map is often a helpful addition.
Vertical Cards:
Horizontal Cards:
When you finish designing your card, print a copy. Be sure the back and front line up correctly and that you like the result. Once you are happy with your card, you are ready to print the finished product. You can do this yourself or go to a copy store.
Since people have different software on their computers, specific instructions for designing the card on your computer are not included here. However, if you are not good with computers, you can also put together your invitation by hand, cutting out photos and using glue or double-sided tape to attach them to the paper. You can either hand letter your card or print your text and glue it in place as well. Take your finished prototype to the copy store to have copies made to send out. Be sure to check the first copy to make sure that it is as you like it. If there are problem spots, use white-out on the copy and copy from the corrected copy for additional cards. Do not have the bulk of the invitations made until you are happy with your results.
Pick a card stock paper you like for your invitation. For a home printer, you will want to pick a light weight card stock and make sure your printer is able to handle the thickness. A white card stock with a smooth finish is usually a good choice, though there are times when colored papers and textured papers are appropriate. If there is a store in your area that sells a variety of papers and envelopes, look at your options before making a decision. If you are having copies made at the copy store, check to make sure they will accept outside papers, and if they will not, chose from their selection. While you are choosing your paper, pick a matching envelope as well.
Once your cards have been printed, use a paper cutter, an exacto knife, or scissors to cut the cards and fold the folded side by hand. Be careful as it is very easy to accidentally cut the wrong side.
You can use your word program to make address labels or address the cards by hand. If you want to put together an RSVP card, you can do that as well. You can make the RSVP card self mailing, like a post card or you can purchase smaller envelopes and fit it to size. Depending on the event, you may include return postage as well.
If making your own invitations proves too challenging or time consuming, many stores offer photo cards. You can also have your card custom designed by a professional designer, a copy or print shop, an artist or a design student. The options are only limited by your imagination and your budget.
Promoting Your Arizona Event
You’ve picked a date, reserved a space, and made all the arrangements to hold your event, but for an event to be a success, people have to show up. How can you promote your event?
The first thing you need to determine is how many people you want to attend your event and which people you are going after. If this is a wedding or party, you might just send out invitations with RSVP cards and be done with it. Small informal events can use email or Facebook invitations. Just make sure that everyone RSVP’s so you don’t end up with too many (or not enough people).
Larger events are going to take more work to promote, especially when there is an admission charge for an event. The earlier you start promoting your event, the better. Figure out what your draw is for your event and use that to your advantage. Sometimes it is a good idea to book entertainers or bring in inflatables games to draw more people to an event.
There are many events calendars online and on print, many of which will include events at no charge. Get on as many of them as possible. If you can not find information on adding your event to a guide, make some phone calls or emails until you find someone who can help you.
Advertise your event in the appropriate venues. The newspaper is usually a smart choice. There might also be magazines that are suited to your event. For large events consider radio and television ads. You can also post fliers and do a direct mailing (or email) to any individuals you feel would be interested. If you have a web-site or Facebook page, use it to promote your event. If you don’t, set up a Facebook page. It’s free and it’s a great place to promote both this event and future functions.
If you are selling advance tickets for your event you should have a pretty good idea how successful your promotion is. After all, once an event is sold out, there is no need to continue pushing it unless you plan to hold additional events in the future. If you have a lot of extra tickets, consider offering some as prizes for giveaways at radio stations, stores, and other businesses. Giving away tickets will get someone in the seat, plus you get advertising out of it every time your event is mentioned.
The event day is your final opportunity to get people to come to your event, so take advantage of it. Don’t stop promoting your event until it is over (or full). Make sure your event is well marked and easy to find. Good signs are very helpful. You can rent promotional items like Sky Dancers and Feather Flags from AZ Party Rents. These are effective for drawing people’s attention and helping people find your event.
After the event is over, keep track of what promotions worked and what did not and use the information to further promote your next event.
Putting Together an Oscars Celebration worthy of the Stars
The Oscars are coming up February 26 and for movie aficionados, that is ample cause for a celebration. An Oscars Academy Awards party can be loads of fun, whether you just invite a handful of friends or have a big gala event.
An Oscars Party can be an informal event, or you can have your guests dress up like stars. You can hold the party at any location you wish, as long as it is big enough for your guest list. Just make sure that you have a good sized television to view the show on. If you really want to pull all of the stops, rent a movie theater to host your event and watch the Oscars on the big screen.
Make your Oscars party really special by renting a popcorn machine from AZ Party Rents and popping fresh popcorn for the guests. No movie event would be complete without popcorn. Something about fresh popped corn from a movie theater, it just tastes better then the stuff you make from home. By using a movie theater style popcorn machine, you can have the good stuff at your event, plus the machine is easy to use, pops a large quantity at once, and keeps the corn warm until it is served. To really replicate the flavor from the theater, put a small spoon full of Flavacol seasoning salt on the kernels before putting them in the popper. Serve the popcorn with melted butter or if you prefer you can use Whirl or another butter alternative.
For a casual event, serve movie theater style concessions, pizza, candy, and soda. Be sure to get theater bags (or buckets) and cups, so you can replicate the whole movie theater feel. If you prefer a more elegant affair, serve champagne in glasses and fancy hors d’oeuvres.
Have partygoers vote on their favorites for each of the categories at the beginning on the party. You can then name off the winners based on your party’s ballets right before the actual winners are announced on the show and see how many coincide with the official vote. Find out which one of the party goers votes for the most of the actual winners for a prize. Consider giving a prizes, like DVDs and posters of the nominated movies. Play movie trivia during the ads and sing along and dance with the songs. Send the guests home with swag bags with fun movie related stuff. Most importantly, have lots of fun. Be sure the paparazzi are invited to your party or at least make sure there’s someone taking lots of pictures to immortalize the event.
Hope you have a great Oscars event! In the mean time, hurry up and watch as many as the nominees as possible so you are ready to cast your ballet on Oscar night.
Inflatable Fun for Parties and Events
Having a birthday party, a picnic, or another event with lots of kids? Consider renting inflatable play equipment to add extra fun to your event. Many parks and event venues allow the use of inflatables for events. Inflatables are also a great draw for trade shows, conventions, and fairs to make the events more kid friendly.
Kids love bounce houses! AZ Party Rents has a selection of great bounce houses to choose on so kids can jump around to their hearts content. Bounce houses have soft walls, making them much safer than the old fashioned trampoline. And they are so much fun! Plus, as long as the event permits, adults can jump too!
Inflatable slides are also a popular choice with kids and adults. AZ Party Rents offers a variety of slides to choose from including a water slides which are perfect for warm Arizona weather.
Obstacle courses include a variety of fun obstacles and activities such as climbing, sliding, and bouncing. Kids and adults can race through the course to see who gets the best time or just go through at their own pace.
Can’t decide between a bounce house, a slide, and an obstacle course? Get them all! Combo units combine slides and bouncers plus add in other great activities such as obstacle courses, a basketball hoop, and climbing walls.
Having an inflatable at your event is sure to add fun to the event, regardless of which inflatable you choose.
Tucson Company Picnic Venues: Parks with Ramadas
Tucson has many parks with ramadas available to reserve for company picnics and events (and fair number of parks without ramadas as well).
More details about these parks can be found on the Parks and Recreation web-site. Information on reserving park ramadas and other park amenities is available on the park reservation page or to reserve a ramada call East District at 520-791-5930 or West District at 520-791-5909.
Abraham Lincoln Park
4325 S. Pantano, Tucson
Abraham Lincolcn Park is a 191 acre park with a softball complex, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, a swimming pool, walking paths, a bird sanctuary, and a playground. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Amphi Neighborhood Park
510 E. Navajo Rd, Tucson
Amphi Neighborhood Park is a 1.79 acre park with a field for sports, a basketball court, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Balboa Heights Park
2526 N Castro Ave, Tucson
Balboa Heights Park is a 1.16 acre park with a basketball court and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Blenman Elementary School
1695 N. Country Club Rd, Tucson
Blenman Elementary School is available for community use when school is not in session. The school has a basketball court, play courts, a sand volleyball courts, a play field, and a playground. The school has two ramadas available for picnics and events.
Case Park
9851 E. Kenyon Dr, Tucson
Case Park is a 41 acre park with a butterfly garden, public art, nature trails, and a playground. The park has picnic sites available for picnics and events.
Catalina High School
3645 E. Pima St, Tucson
Catalina High School is available for community use when school is not in session. The school has a pool, softball and baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts, a roller blade arena, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Catalina Park
900 N. 4th Ave, Tucson
Catalina Park is a 4.19 acre park with a wading pool, exercise stations, and a playground. The park has a picnic site and a ramada (non-reservable) available for picnics and events.
Christopher Columbus Park
4600 N. Silverbell Rd, Tucson
Christopher Columbus Park is a large park with two baseball fields, a playground, a horse trailer area, trails, a camping area, and a lake. The park has ramadas and picnic sites available for picnics and events.
David G. Herrera and Ramon Quiroz Park
600 W. St Marys Rd, Tucson
David G. Herrera and Ramon Quiroz Park is a 6.36 acre park with softball fields, basketball and volleyball courts, a pool, a wading pool, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
El Pueblo Park
101 W. Irvington Rd, Tucson
El Pueblo Park is located next to the El Pueblo Activity/Neighborhood Center and El Pueblo Pool. The park has a playground and ramadas for picnics and events.
Escalante Park
6900 E. Nicaragua Dr, Tucson
Escalante Park is a 5 acre park with a multi use field, a horseshoe pit, and a swimming pool. The park has a ramada and a picnic site available for picnics and events.
Fort Lowell Park
2900 N. Craycroft Rd, Tucson
Fort Lowell Park is a 59 acre park with a tennis center, sports fields, a sand volleyball court, a walking path, a swimming pool, a playground, and a pond. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Francisco Elias Esquer Park
1331 N. 14th Ave, Tucson
Francisco Elias Esquer Park is a 1.39 acre park with a playground and a walking path. The park has a ramada and picnic tables available for picnics and events.
Freedom Park
5000 E. 29th St, Tucson
Freedom Park is a 34 acre park with sports fields, basketball courts, a swimming pool, a recreation center, and a playground. The park has picnic sites and ramadas available for picnics and events.
Gene C. Reid Park
520-791-4873
900 S. Randolph Way, Tucson
Gene C. Reid Park is a 131 acre park that includes the Reid Park Zoo, the Edith Ball Adaptive Aquatics Center, the Cancer Survivors Plaza, the David Bell Bike/Walking path, the Rose Garden, the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, the Hi Corbett stadium, and two urban lakes. The park has picnic areas and ramadas available for picnics and events.
Golf Links Sports Complex
2400 S. Craycroft Rd, Tucson
Golf Links Sports Complex is a 54 acre park with sports facilities, a walking path, and a playground. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Greasewood Park
1075 N. Greasewood Rd, Tucson
Greasewood Park is a 160 acre park preserving natural desert with a walking path. The park has a ramada and picnic tables available for picnics and events.
Grijalva Park
5433 S. Oaktree Dr, Tucson
Grijalva Park has sports fields, a basketball court, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Harriet Johnson Park
6100 E. 25th St, Tucson
Harriet Johnson Park is a 4 acre park with a multi use field, a horseshoe pit, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Hoffman Park
4800 E. Cecilia St, Tucson
Hoffman Park is a 4 acre park with sport fields, a volleyball court, and a playground. The park has picnic sites and a ramada available for picnics and events.
Iron Horse Park
75 N. 1st Ave, Tucson
Iron Horse Park is a small park next to the downtown railroad tracks with a natural desert area, a railroad monument, and a playground. The park has picnic spaces and a ramada available for picnics and events.
Jacobs Park
3300 N. Fairview Ave, Tucson
Jacobs Park is a 49.22 acre park with Jacobs YMCA Center, softball and soccer fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a play pool, a dog park, and a playground. The park has picnic tables and ramadas available for picnics and events.
James Thomas Park
3200 S. Forgeus Ave, Tucson
James Thomas Park has tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields, and a playground. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Jesse Owens Park
400 S. Sarnoff Dr, Tucson
Jesse Owens Park is a 39 acre park with sports fields, a basketball court, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and playgrounds. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Joaquin Murrieta Park
1400 N. Silverbell Rd, Tucson
Joaquin Murrieta Park is a 38 acre park with soccer fields, Little League fields, softball fields, and a pool. The park has picnic areas and ramadas available for picnics and events.
John F. Kennedy Park
Ajo Way And Mission Rd, Tucson
John F. Kennedy Park has sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, a fishing lake, a pool, and playgrounds. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Juhan Park
1770 W. Copper St, Tucson
Juhan Park has softball fields, a basketball court, and a playground. The park has a ramada and picnic tables available for picnics and events.
La Madera Park
2700 E. La Madera Dr, Tucson
La Madera Park is a 5.19 acre park with fitness equipment, a basketball court, a soccer field, and a playground. The park has a ramada and picnic area available for picnics and events.
Lakeside (Charles Ford) Park
8300 E. Stella Rd, Tucson
Lakeside (Charles Ford) Park has a 12 acre fishing lake, sports fields, a basketball court, a horseshoe pit, a walking path, and playgrounds. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Las Mariposa Park
310 E. Aviation Dr, Tucson
Las Mariposa Park has an amphitheater, a walking path, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Mansfield Park
2000 N. 4th Ave, Tucson
Mansfield Park is a 20.39 acre park that contains the Northwest Center, public art, a soccer field, a baseball field, a multi-use field, basketball courts, a walking path, a pool, and playgrounds. The park has ramadas and picnic tables available for picnics and events.
Manuel Herrera Jr. Park
5901 S. Fiesta Ave, Tucson
Manuel Herrera Jr. Park has a basketball court and a playground. The park has a ramada available for events.
McCormick Park
2950 N. Columbus Blvd, Tucson
McCormick Park is an 18 acre park next to the Lighthouse YMCA with sports fields, a basketball court, an exercise course, and two playgrounds. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Mirasol Park
1100 E. Silverlake Rd, Tucson
Mirasol Park park has a basketball court, a softball field, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Mission Manor Park
6100 S. 12th Ave, Tucson
Mission Manor Park has basketball and tennis courts, sports fields, a walking path, a pool, and playgrounds. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Morris K. Udall Park
7290 E. Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson
Morris K. Udall Park is a 173 acre park with a recreation center, an amphitheater, tennis and volleyball courts, bocce courts, horseshoe pits, sports fields, a dog park, exercise equipment, a walking path, and a playground. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
North 6th Avenue Dog Park
2075 N. 6th Ave, Tucson
North 6th Avenue Dog Park has a dog wash area and a ramada for picnics and events.
Ormsby Park
24th St. and Verdugo Ave, Tucson
Ormsby Park is adjacent to Ormsby Recreation Center and has basketball and volleyball courts, softball and sports fields, and a playground. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Parkview Park
3700 E. 24th St, Tucson
Parkview Park has a sports field and a ramada for picnics and events.
Pueblo Gardens Park
2500 E. 36th St, Tucson
Pueblo Gardens Park has a basketball court, a sports field, a pool, and a playground. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Purple Heart Park
10050 E. Rita Rd, Tucson
Purple Heart Park is a 36 acre park with sports fields, sand volleyball courts, a skate park, a walking path, a swimming pool, and playgrounds. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Rio Vista Natural Resource Park
3974 N. Tucson Blvd, Tucson
Rio Vista Natural Resource Park is a 40 acre park with natural desert areas, an equestrian staging area, an amphitheater, and a playground. The park has ramadas and picnic tables available for picnics and events.
Rodeo Wash II Park
Aviation and 12th Ave, Tucson
Rodeo Wash II Park has a walking path and a play area. The park has ramadas with grills available for events.
Rolling Hills Park
8900 E. 29th St, Tucson
Rolling Hills Park is a 4.5 acre park with tennis and volleyball courts, a walking path, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Rudy Garcia Park
5001 S. Nogales Highway, Tucson
Rudy Garcia Park has nine sports fields, basketball courts, a walking track, and a playground. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
San Antonio Park
S Santa Rita Ave & E 14th St, Tucson
San Antonio Park is a .8 acre park with an amphitheater, a walking path, and a playground. The park has covered picnic tables available for picnics and events.
Santa Cruz River Park
West Of Interstate 10, Tucson
Santa Cruz River Park has a frisbee golf course, a softball field, a sand volleyball court, and a playground. The park has two ramadas and picnic benches available for picnics and events.
Santa Rosa Park
1055 S. 10th Ave, Tucson
Santa Rosa Park is a 6 acre park with a basketball court, a Little League park, a sports field, and a playground. The park has a ramada and picnic tables available for picnics and events.
Stefan Gollob Park
401 S. Prudence Rd, Tucson
Stefan Gollob Park is a 7 acre park nest to the OTT YMCA that includes a lighted field, tennis courts, a skate park, and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Sunnyside Park
5811 S. Del Moral Blvd, Tucson
Sunnyside Park has sports fields, play courts, a walking track, a pool, and a playground. The park has ramadas available for picnics and events.
Terra Del Sol Park
6700 E. Calle Marta, Tucson
Terra Del Sol Park is a 4 acre park with a gazebo and a playground. The park has a ramada available for picnics and events.
Know which park you want to hold your event in? Great! Now it’s time to figure out the details and AZ Party Rents can help. AZ Party Rents can provide a tent to shade your party, a bounce house to entertain your guests, chairs to sit in, and much more.
More Places to Hold a Company Picnic in Tucson
Tucson Company Picnic Venues
Tucson is a lovely place to have a picnic with an average of 360 sunny days a year. There are many possible places to hold a picnic including at a ramada in a city park or in one of the other event venues featured below.
Cocoraque Ranch Pavilion
520-682-8594
3199 N. Reservation Rd, Tucson
Cocoraque Ranch Pavilion, located on a 16,000 acre working cattle ranch, is available for company picnics and other events. The Pavilion includes 3,200 square feet of banquet area and 1,200 square feet of Cantina area. The Pavilion has a band shelter, a dance floor, a bonfire pit, and a mesquite fired grill.
The Hacienda
800-331-6782
4300 E. Broadway Blvd, Tucson
The Hacienda is a 16 acre desert property owned by the Girls Scouts that is available to rent for company picnics and events. The outdoor Casa Catalina accommodates up to 200 people. The covered porch, Ramada Grande, seats up to 150 people. Two meeting rooms each accommodate up to 48 people. The bunkhouse sleeps 46 people. A commercial kitchen and an enclosed courtyard are also available.
Kino Sports Complex
520-434-1146
2500 E. Ajo Way, Tucson
Kino Sports Complex is a 51,428 square feet park that is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and has seating for over 11,000 guests. The complex includes three soccer fields, twelve senior baseball fields, two youth softball fields and ramadas. The facilities are available to rent for company picnics, sports, and other events.
Old Tucson Studios
520-908-4806
201 S. Kinney Rd, Tucson
Old Tucson Studios is a replica old western town that has been featured in over 300 films and television shows. The facility is available for company picnics and other events with 50 to 5,000 guests.
Pima Air and Space Museum
520-618-4850
6000 E. Valencia Rd, Tucson
The Pima Air and Space Museum is an 80 acre museum that includes over 275 air and space craft and over 125,000 artifacts. The museum has outdoor function space for company picnics and other events of all sizes as well as indoor function space for events with up to 700 people.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
520-26-9686 ext. 29
2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson
The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a wild bird sanctuary and a horticulture and educational center. The gardens have shelters and outdoor spaces available for company picnics and other events. The SAHBA Pavilion accommodates up to 200 people. The Xeriscape Garden Patios accommodate up to 60 people. Indoor event spaces are also available at the garden. The Porter Hall and Reception Garden accommodate up to 120 people. The Education Building accommodates up to 50 people. The Founders Room accommodates 12 people.
Tucson Museum of Art
520-624-2333
140 N. Main Ave, Tucson
The Tucson Museum of Art includes five historic properties encompassing an entire block of downtown Tucson. The museum offers outdoor settings for company picnics and other events. The Plaza of the Pioneers accommodates up to 700 people for standing events or 500 people for seated events. The Moore Courtyard accommodates up to 200 people for receptions or 100 people for seated meals. Additional spaces are available for indoor events at the museum including the Museum Galleries, the Museum Lobby, the Auditorium, the Conference Room, the Goodman Pavilion, and the Palice Pavilion.
Tucson Parks and Recreation
520-791-4873
900 S Randolph Way, Tucson
Tucson Parks and Recreation manages over 100 parks, aquatic centers, and community centers in Tucson. Ramadas and picnic areas in city parks provide ideal settings for company picnics as there are many to choose from and the reservation fee is generally very reasonable. Parks also offer playgrounds and sports facilities. Aquatic centers can be reserved for pool parties. Community centers often have meeting rooms and other indoor spaces available for events.
Reid Park Zoo
520-791-4022
1100 S. Randolph Way, Tucson
Reid Park Zoo features exotic animals from around the world on 17 acres in the middle of Tucson. The zoo has a variety of indoor and outdoor venues available for company picnics and other events.
Once you decide where you want to hold your picnic, there are plenty of other details to determine. Does the facility have shade or do you want a tent? Are chairs and tables provided? Are you having the picnic catered? Are you planning on having any entertainment? Do you want a bounce house? Whatever you decide, be sure to contact AZ Party rents for all of your party rental needs.
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