Sheena’s 60th Party at The Ageas Bowl
What makes a great party? Well, Sheena’s 60th Party at The Ageas Bowl last month is a good example.
From the moment the guests arrived to the moment the last one left, Sheena and I had made a plan to ensure something was happening. We squeezed a lot in but made sure nothing was rushed and that everyone felt a part of the celebration.
I arrived at The Ageas around 4pm to load in and set up in the first floor Robin Smith suite. By the time Sheena and her family arrived I was suited and booted with the music playing and a slideshow running on my big projector screen with over 400 pictures from the family album. Everything was ready for Sheena’s Party at The Ageas Bowl.
Once we had everyone seated, I introduced Sheena’s Uncle Pete who presented a brilliant quiz. When Sheena and I met to plan the party I mentioned a quiz and she told me all about her Uncle who is an excellent quizmaster and has done my family events in the past including her 50th. I had my colleague John with me who run quiz nights and we were both very impressed with Pete’s quiz. There were 9 tables of guests and the winners were invited to go to the warm buffet table first, runners up second, etc … the table that came last had to wait a while longer!
After the two course buffet it was time for the formalities. I introduced another of Sheena’s uncles, Malcolm, who had travelled from Canada to join in the celebrations and he gave a lovely speech. Then I had video messages I’d collected from friends and family who couldn’t be there – messages from Thailand, Hong Kong, more from the family in Canada and many other places – over 6 minutes of snippets! Finally Sheena said her thank you’s – with many lovely insights into her family and friendships.
Then we gathered everyone together so that the official photographers could get a big photo of everyone together. Two of the guests, Thelma and Jacob, were also celebrating birthdays and Sheena had cakes for both of them. Then, birthday girl, Thelma sang “Ain’t Missbeahvin'” acappella with everyone singing and clapping along.
Finally it time to get the dancing underway and it wasn’t long before the floor was busy and it stayed that way until the end at 12:30. I had plenty of requests from the birthday girl which I had in advance and I was able to add requests from the guests as the evening went on. We were also entertained with an excellent version of “Never Gonna Give you Up” by Gerry who sang over a backing track I had ready for him.
There were a few other things that we did to make the evening special – but if I tell you everything people will just copy and that wouldn’t be right 😉
That was Sheena’s fabulous Party at The Ageas Bowl, truly a night to remember.
