It all started when Karissa turned 9 months. My husband and I started planning for our daughter's 1st birthday.  A Carnival Theme came to mind.  Where do we start? The invitations were the first thing we had in mind. I was able to find postcard invitations that had a boarding that fit the theme. It included hot dogs, pizza, soda drinks, popcorn, admission tickets, you name it, it was all their.  The invites read: Hip! Hip! Hooray!  The Carnival in town!  Join us for a day full of fun! Karissa is turning 1, Date, Events heat up at Time, Leon Fairgrounds, Address RSVP XXX XXX-XXXX I mailed the invitations 4 weeks in advance. In each envelope I included raffle tickets for a change to win 50/50. I also include a note to bring an extra change of clothes as they will be getting wet.  That is due to the fact that we were renting a Dunk Booth. Then the preparations. My husband made 4 game booths and one ticket booth, Louis,12, my oldest was going to distribute tickets for the games.  All the booths where painted in red & white stripes.  Each booth was for a different game, Ring Toss, Balloon Dart, Fishing game, (this fishing game consisted in small bowls that contained a gold fish.  3 chances to win. If the ping ball falls in the bowl they win, last but not least, Knock the milk bottles with a bean bag.  We rented concession items to include:  Hot Dog Warmer and a Popcorn Machine. My husband made Andres, 9, my middle son, a carry tray which he placed around his neck for bagged cotton candy and peanuts.  His script was, "Get your fresh peanuts and cotton candy".  I was selling 50/50 tickets for $.25 ea. or 5 for $1.00. The 50/50 consisted of 2 winners from the total of the sells. As for food: we served, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, bottled water, canned sodas. Finally, time to sing happy birthday and the cutting of the cake.  Karissa's cake decoration consisted of a merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel.