Carnival Graduation Party in Niantic CT

Circus performers in a carnival themed graduation party in Niantic CT

A carnival themed graduation party in June seemed like the best way for me to spend a gorgeous Saturday this summer! When I heard my clients plans for her daughters’ graduation party my head was spinning so bad it almost popped off my neck! Perhaps it was because I would have the honor of working with one of my most favorite planners, Jacqueline and her team of Lifetime Events by Jacqueline, based in New York City. We had the pleasure fo working together for Kaylee’s quince and for Karen and Shawn’s destination wedding in Puerto Rico last year. Jacqueline is so cool and collected, and legit ALWAYS has a smile on her face. She brings the best people with her at every event, complete with calm attitudes and big smiles. Add to this our lifetime clients, Karen, Shawn and their kids and we are a happy crew. Then add even more talented folks to our team to create an epic party for their friends and family to celebrate Savannah and Kaylee’s high school graduation and it’s on! The weather was absolutely perfect, and everyone had such a great time playing the carnival games, watching the performers and feasting on the carnival themed food! Corn dogs, cotton candy, candy apples, sausage and peppers, popcorn and soft serve topped with a wood fired pizza- and this was only the warm up for the dinner by Gourmet Galley!

Speaking of- Miss Gina outdid herself with the decor and centerpieces. I loved the elephant and tickets so much, so clever! Kelsi and her team from Art of the Event were tireless in pulling everything together for the party. Everyone was a team player and did such amazing work, it was truly an honor to be on the team for this party!

Creative partners for this epic carnival themed graduation party extravaganza:

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck  /@c10ike

Event Planner & Production Leader: Lifetime Events by Jacqueline @lebjv

Hair& Makeup: Catie Bane, Willow Salon Guilford CT

Concessions, Catering & Tent Reception Rentals: Gourmet Galley Catering @gourmetgalleycatering

Tent & Flooring: Peak Event Services @peakeventservices @smthrive

Draping & Tent Lighting: Drape Art Designs @drapeartdesigns

Décor, Lounge & Game Rentals and Ferris Wheel: Art of the Event @artoftheevent 

Balloon Décor: Ava Party Designs @avapartydesigns

DJ: Rico Entertainment @djricoct

Entertainment – Roaming Jugglers and Stilt Performers: Murray Hill Talent @murrayhilltalent

Entertainment – Jesters, Ring Master Unicyclist, Hula Hoop Girl & Ring Stand Aerialist: Cirque Central Entertainment @cirque_central

Pizza Truck: Old World Pizza Truck @oldworldpizzatruck

Whirly Lollipops: Dylan’s Candy Bar @dylanscandybar

Ice Cream Truck:  Mister Softee Connecticut @mistersofteect

Cupcakes: The Cupcake Brake @TheCupcakeBrake

Lighting: Power Posse Productions @powerposseproductions

Restroom: United Site Services New England @unitedsiteservices

Parking Valet: Curtin Transportation Group (Waterbury, CT) 

Guests ride a Ferris wheel at a carnival themed graduation party in Niantic CT

Guests were greeted by these jesters with colorful lollipops.

Jester greets guests with lollipops at carnival themed graduation party in Niantic CT Rainbow lollipops at carnival themed graduation party in Niantic CT

I never dreamt of having a Ferris wheel in my back yard because who in the world ever thought that could happen??? THIS TEAM DID!

Candy apples and cotton candy at carnival themed graduation party in Niantic CT

They had every fun carnival game, and prizes for everyone!

cotton candy and balloons at a carnival themed graduation party in Niantic CT

I get it, dude. Ice cream is AWESOME and always something to get excited about!

How cute are these? Yes Gina!

I want this guy with the orb to just like follow me around all day scooping and scrolling that ball all effortless. It was mesmerizing!

Jacqueline brought Karen through the tent to show how her vision all turned out! She was pumped!!

I may or may not have stalked these stilt walkers all day! Their wings were so fun to photograph!

Congratulations graduates!

Savannah’s reaction to seeing the tent!

Just doing a back bend on the dance floor, y’all. Come at me!

More stalking….

Karen is a great dancer!

The party was just the right amount of organized chaos- color and action and hula hoops and I was into it!

But then I got tired, like this little lady. She just laid down right in the middle of the dance floor! Night!

Savannah and her Mom, who I have also known for a hot minute! They were having such a nice moment together dancing and I of course was photographing them then they caught me! I am always watching!

The Moms dance it out! Love this.

I send my daughter a picture of this as often as I can when she asks me what I’m doing. I say: ‘Just hanging out’ and then I laugh like I am a stand up comedian. IT’S FUNNY, GUYS!!

I have learned that Shawn likes to end his parties with fireworks, so knew to plan for them! Who doesn’t?

During our planning meetings for the party all of the creative team kept saying how we were going to hop on that Ferris wheel and don’t you know we sure did end the night there! BAM!

Congratulations to Savannah and Kaylee! I can’t wait to see what you do in the world! XO

To see more events photographed byConnecticut photographer  Carla Ten Eyck, click the links below:

Engage Wedding and Business Summit at the Solaz Luxury Resort in Cab San Lucas Mexico 

Field to Vase Dinner at Thistle Dew Farm in PA with David Beahm Events

Welcome Party at Mount Stuart in Scotland with Sarah Haywood

Donna Morgan Campaign Shoot in the Hamptons, NY

  1. Jacqueline says:

    Not every event has a Ferris Wheel on the clients property, but it doesn’t mean they can’t have it. LOL. I loved planning this event not only with the client, but also with the FABULOUS A-Team we had. Thank you Carla for capturing every detail.

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