Ian's Pirate Party - Ian's 7th Birthday was almost rained out but we continued on anyway... INVITATIONS We made some special invitations each containing a treasure map of the Hesston King Park that had the edges burnt, wrapped around an announcement that the adventure was leaving port at 3pm and guests wouldn't want to be left behind. It tied with a natural cord and they were lowered into a glass bottle that had blue sand and mini shells at the bottom. The cord was then pulled up through the opening to make it easy to retrieve the message. A cork was placed in the bottle & a red wax M" seal was stamped over the cords. We actually had a few people refuse to open the invitations. DECORATIONS  The party was under the large covered shelter in the park where we stretched a room decoration of a beach scene across to keep the rainy wind from blowing in. We then placed a large sand colored tarp with shells & a treasure chest below the covering for the kids to get pictures with The Scallywag Pirate Group (who were GREAT with the kids!!! ) The tables had a grass skirting and green table cloth coverings with sea shells spread out on top. We had parrot streamer decorations hanging from the ceiling in place of balloons. COSTUMES As each guest arrived we dressed them with a pirate bandana for their head a red sash an eye patch a gold earring a cloth pouch that was tied to the sash and a pirate themed pin to attach to the sash knot. ACTIVITIES We had a pirate comedy group aclled The Scallywags come and help get the kids into the pirate mood!!! Little Beard & Biggin & Rich & Mark were GREAT!!! They taught the kids to talk like pirate get their own pirate name and posed for some really cute pictures!!! GAMES The kids played several games including using a plastic para-scope to scoop up the Gobstoppers out of a tub so they could earn a collapsable para-scope to put in their pouch. Next was a game where teams had to run down to a bucket of water and using a small cup they had to bail out the water one cup at a time by transfering the water to another bucket. The teams actually were completely even in the end so everyone earned their pirate guns. We then had a peg-leg race. (3 legged race) to earn their pirate gold-medallion necklaces. Now that everyone was dressed & equipped as a pirate they were ready for the treasure hunt. The treasure hunt consisted of several clues leading them all over the park. In the end they were led to a bridge in the middle of the park where they all dug into a leather covered wooden treasure chest filled with gold coins jewels candy rings & assorted candy. PARTY FOODS Ian chose a wide variety of foods. It included kiwi pineapple mango pieces grapes cantalope chunks cheese cubes summer sausage slices potato salad baked beans hot dogs hamburgers and of course bottles of root beer served ice old.The cupcake-cake was decorated like a beach & wavy ocean with a treasure chest candle on edge of the surf. PARTY FAVORS Before everyone went home they also got a 3D pirate book & a pirate coloring book to add to their pouch of candy and pirate costume pieces. The kids had a blast but the parents said it makes them look bad because they can't compete :) "