FAQ WHEN PLANNING AN AWESOME EVENT

That's an excellent question! We are always happy to supply a quote with no obligation to you. We’ll ask you the following:

• What's the date of your event?

• What time does it start?

• What city is the event in?

• What services are you interested in (for example: Face Painter & Balloon Artist)?

• How many kids, adults, teenagers will attend?

It also helps to have a budget in mind. Our website offers estimated prices on many of our rental items and services, so you can browse your options and get an idea of what you’d like to rent before talking to an AFE representative. Give us a call at 614.224.9568.

To confirm an order, we require your contact information, event details, valid credit card information and a non-refundable reservation fee. The reservation fee equals 50% of your order total and is applied toward your final balance. This payment can be made by Credit Card, Cash or Check. Reservations for events within 30 days -- require payment in full at time of booking. Reservations with 30+ days in advance booking -- require a minimum of 50% reservation fee. Reservations with total amounts owed under $500 -- require payment in full at time of booking. No refunds on unused supplies such as prizes, foam, concession supplies and other items. If items are left with the equipment at time of retrieval, we may remove/take them. No refunds. Please see our Payment Policies for complete details.

Have a basic idea of the layout before we deliver your items. Keep in mind that it’s best to keep attractions close to each other. If they are too spread out, additional fees may apply to accommodate that. Think about access to water sources and electricity, if needed for your attractions. The blower motor for an inflatable must be located within 50 feet of a standard electrical outlet. If a generator is needed, let us know in advance, and we will rent you one for an additional fee. Make sure to mow the area where attractions will be placed at least 2 days before they arrive.

Please make sure sprinkler systems are shut off completely and underground utilities have been marked! Please make sure you have all required permits, permissions and license fees needed before equipment is delivered.

Please make sure all gates, doors and entryways are unlocked and opened for delivery. Please secure all pets AND make sure the area for setting up the attraction has been cleared of debris and pet droppings. At delivery, Awesome Entertainment will place rental equipment but will not return to set up or operate an attraction for use, unless that service is provided on the invoice.

YES! When AFE delivers your Amusement Attraction, you will be asked to designate an attendant who will operate the equipment safely throughout your event. An attendant must be age 18 years or older and able to follow operating instructions. This attendant will be responsible for operating the attraction safely at all times. An attendant makes sure the number of guests using the ride doesn’t exceed the number allowed by law and may have to pause or shut down the attraction if weather conditions require it. As the Client who rented the equipment, you are responsible for making sure there is an adult operator for the entire time the attraction is being used. Some attractions clearly note that an AFE attendant is included in the base price. For others, AFE offers an attendant if desired, for an additional fee.

Please see our Resource Page for PDF Instructions, and our How To section for videos for safety and general instructions.

Our inflatable attractions may be set up in many different places on your property. For safe operation, the surface under an inflatable attraction must be mostly flat and relatively firm. Grass, concrete and asphalt are acceptable (not gravel, sand and mulch). Please note that we anchor these attractions by driving stakes into the ground and only use sandbags on surfaces where stakes cannot be used. An additional fee may apply for setting up equipment on a surface that doesn’t allow us to anchor the unit with stakes.

Keep set up away from pools, ponds and other bodies of water. Keep set up away from power lines, low-hanging tree branches and foreign objects — and don’t set up too close to buildings. We take pride in our clean inflatables and insist that all animal yard waste must be removed before set up. Please take into consideration that prolonged installation of equipment may harm grass or similar plant surfaces. While we never want this to happen, we sometimes arrive with a delivery and encounter unique set up situations that pose a safety risk. When this happens, we reserve the right to deny set up or rental because of these unsafe or unsanitary conditions. Please see our Resource Page for PDF Instructions, and our How To section for videos for safety and general instructions.

Beyond providing advance, clear directions to your event, Entertainer requirements vary, depending on the service. Your responsibilities should be listed in your booking contract, but please make sure to ask if your preferred Entertainer requires certain performance or operational details, or has any safety-related requirements, before finalizing your reservation!

Planning for entertainers requires attention to space, safety, and comfort to ensure they can deliver their best performance. Below are key considerations for a variety of entertainers, including fire performers, jugglers, stilt walkers, face painters, and more.

General Performance Guidelines:

Ceiling Heights: For performers like stilt walkers and jugglers, ensure ceilings are at least 12 feet high to accommodate tall props and movements.

Smoke Detectors: For fire performers, confirm smoke detectors are disabled or safely managed in performance areas to avoid triggering alarms. Always check local regulations for fire safety.
Space Requirements: Performers need room to move freely. Jugglers and stilt walkers often need at least a 10x10-foot open space to perform safely without risk to the audience.

Specific Performer Needs:

Fire Performers:
- Outdoor space is ideal, or large indoor spaces with proper ventilation.
- Clear the area of flammable materials, and provide a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Check local laws for fire performance permits.

Jugglers:
- Ensure an open area with at least 12-foot-high ceilings.
- For outdoor events, ensure there’s no wind interference.

Stilt Walkers:
- Provide ceilings at least 12 feet tall, and ensure obstacles are cleared from the performance area.
- Outdoor performance areas should be free from low-hanging branches.

Additional Setup for Artists and Performers:

Face Painter, Caricature Artist, Henna Tattoo Artist:
- Provide 1 table and 3 chairs per artist.
- Ensure the area is well-lit for detailed work.

Magician:
- Allocate an open performance area.

Costumed Characters:
- For large events and multiple costumes and hours, ensure a secure, private changing room (avoid using restrooms when possible).
- Characters and live entertainers may take reasonable breaks at their own discretion, and extreme heat or other conditions may prompt more frequent or longer breaks for costume considerations.

Outdoor Events:

Shaded Areas: For any outdoor event, ensure a shaded or tented area to keep performers comfortable, especially in hot or sunny conditions.

By ensuring these basic needs are met, you’ll create a smooth, enjoyable experience for both performers and guests! Planning Guide For A DJ:

To ensure your DJ can create an unforgettable event, here’s what you’ll need to provide:

Power Source: The DJ will require access to a reliable power outlet, ideally on its own circuit, to run their sound equipment, speakers, and lighting.
Table: Provide a sturdy table (at least 6 feet) for the DJ to set up their equipment. Make sure it's positioned in a stable, dry area.
Performance Space: Ensure there’s enough space for the DJ to set up, including speakers, lights, and any additional equipment they may bring. Generally, a 10x10-foot space is ideal.
Lighting: If the event is indoors or during the evening, consider providing adequate lighting or allow the DJ to bring their own. Ambient or party lighting can enhance the atmosphere.
Sound Levels: Discuss sound restrictions in advance, especially for outdoor events. Verify with the venue if there are noise limits, and if so, ensure they align with the DJ’s setup.
Weather Considerations (for outdoor events): Provide a covered or tented area to protect the DJ’s equipment from rain or direct sunlight.
Wi-Fi/Internet Access: Some DJs may require internet access for music streaming, so check if this is needed beforehand.

Also see... Preparing for us to retrieve your items Prepping for your delivery

YES! We pride ourselves on renting clean and sanitized equipment to our Clients. Do I need to clean my items before I return them? Yes! Our rented inflatable equipment should be wiped clean and free of grass, leaves, mud, candy wrappers, food and other debris. NO CONFETTI, SAND OR SILLY STRING should be used in or around our equipment. Concession machines should be emptied of product, including sugar, popcorn and ice. A simple “wipe down” is required, but there’s no need for you to do a thorough cleaning with soap and water. We deep clean items when they return to our warehouse. Please do not wash any linens you rent from us — just make sure they are free of any debris when you return them. Please drain water from inflatables, dunk tanks and other water activities before we arrive to retrieve them. Don't want to do detail cleaning after your event? Check out our Prepaid Cleaning Waivers.

Click Here to see our seating charts for the variety of tents we offer for parties and events.

General Tent Info Pole Tents must be staked in grass. Frame Tents can be set up on grass or hard surfaces, but we must know which, BEFORE delivery!

In high winds, tents must come down. Tighten the straps or ropes as needed. If heavy rain occurs, knock off accumulated water on the tent top.

Do not poke any holes in a tent. Go under the tent and brush the water off the top with a broom. You are responsible for damages caused by neglect. Tables & Chairs Info Unless otherwise noted on your invoice... Set up or tear down of tables and chairs isn’t included in our delivery or retrieval service.  Items must be cleaned prior to our arrival.  Items must be folded and stacked prior to our arrival.  Deliveries and retrievals occur at curbside or entryway.

Items must be brought to driveway, loading dock or the closest retrieval point accessible by truck.

Never tape, glue or staple items to our chairs, tables or tents! Also see... Preparing for us to retrieve your items Prepping for your delivery      

Most of the items that you rent from AFE will require a power supply. You will find the number of outlets needed on your invoice and on your contract. You can also check the Logistics section under the product description on our website. If you don't have electric access within 50 feet of the set up location, we recommend renting a generator from us.

Power/Electric

Generators are not included in your order, unless they are listed on your invoice! To avoid power issues, when not renting a generator from us…  turn off all unneeded

 Lights - Fans - TV's - Dishwashers - Washers - Dryers .

Plug in only 1 item per dedicated 20 AMP outlet. No GFCI outlets. If you need more than  3 outlets, we recommend using a generator.

  The set up location must be within 50 feet of the outlet you're using.   A 12-gauge extension cord can be used, as long as it is no more than 50 feet from the outlet, and only 15 feet away when using concession machines. If farther away, the item may not function properly and it may trip circuit breakers. 

Have quick and easy access to the breaker box(es), just in case there are issues.   For Mechanical Rides, including Bull Rides, Meltdown & Surf Rides,  it’s best to use at least a 9000 watt generator for each ride.  No GFCI outlets for these rides. No refunds are given for power issues when you use your own outlets or generators!

We Generally CANNOT…

  Go up or down steep hills  Lift items over fences or bushes   Set up in gravel or dirt  Go up or down flights of stairs Also see... Preparing for us to retrieve your items And not all of our items fit in elevators, stairways or doorways! Pay attention to your item's dimensions, found in the Logistics section of its description on our website. Before we arrive with your items, decide on the BEST installation location. Asking us to move partially or fully installed  equipment will result in fees of up to 50% of the rental cost. Prepping Your Site & Other Important Info Unlock gates, doors and entryways prior to our arrival. Entry-points need to be at least 62” wide for dunk tanks and most inflatable attractions. Remove the middle bar from double-door frames (if applicable) for indoor set ups prior to our arrival. Inflatables and amusement rides cannot be set up under utility lines, low-hanging tree branches or too close to buildings. Grass should be mowed 2 days prior to set up, not the night before or the day of delivery.

Shut off all sprinkler systems while you have your rental(s) on site.

Mark underground utilities, including sprinkler systems. Call 811 to find underground utilities. The set up area should be mostly flat and at least 10 feet away from pools and bodies of water.

Rentals must be shut down and covered up during heavy rains and winds that exceed 15 miles per hour.

Follow all directions and posted warning signs. Clean up any dog or other animal droppings prior to our arrival.

We may refuse to set up or drop off if there is a mess. Add at least 3 more feet to all dimensions when calculating the space needed to operate amusement attractions and set up tents.

Wipe the items down prior to retrieval/return to avoid cleaning fees. Also see... Preparing for us to retrieve your items Prepping for your delivery

You can do a lot to help your delivery run more smoothly. We've gathered many helpful hints for you here. Please take the time to read each category! Also see... Preparing for us to retrieve your items We Generally CANNOT… Go up or down steep hills  Lift items over fences or bushes  Set up in gravel or dirt  Go up or down flights of stairs And not all of our items fit in elevators, stairways or doorways! Pay attention to your item's dimensions, found in the Logistics section of its description on our website. Before we arrive with your items, decide on the BEST installation location.  

Asking us to move partially or fully installed  equipment will result in fees of up to 50% of the rental cost.

Flexible Delivery Means... You are assigned an estimated delivery window

— and you will be texted on the day before your delivery — with date/time subject to change at a moment’s notice, depending on many factors. We might deliver the day of your event or as early as 2 days prior to your event

(and we might retrieve the day of your event or up to 2 days following your event), unless noted otherwise in your reservation. If applicable, we will do the set up when we deliver. Not all items include set up.

We do not return to do set up unless you have contracted specifically for “event planning” services. Same Day/Time Sensitive Delivery Means... ~ This option should be only selected when it is a must! ~

AFE will try to assign a 2-4 hour arrival window for delivery or retrieval of your rented items.

When unforeseen issues prevent Same Day service

(weather, lockouts, power outages, large crowds or similar issues beyond our control), AFE will prioritize your retrieval the next day.

For All Delivery Options

AFE must have access to the event location with enough time to set up equipment completely and safely.

If not, AFE is not responsible for an event’s late start. (Remember: not all items include set up.) I Need To Upgrade My Delivery Option Flexible Delivery won't work for you? We MIGHT be able to upgrade, but that's harder to make possible the closer we get to your event date. For pricing options:

Click Here Refusal Of Delivery

When you refuse delivery, we may return items to the warehouse for you to pick up during our regular Will Call (customer pick up) hours. There is NO refund when a delivery is refused. Delays If we don't have access to the event site or if the site isn’t ready for delivery, we may drop off items and leave the set up for you to do. We make NO refunds if we are prevented from doing set up at delivery as planned, even if that set up was

included in the reservation. Or we may return items to the warehouse for you to pick up during our Will Call (customer pick up) hours. We make NO refunds if your lack of preparation forces us to change our delivery of your items. Delays of more than 5 minutes may trigger additional charges, perhaps as much as $100+ per 15 minutes. Instructions Review our "How To" Videos at:

www.columbusparties.com/howto

Review our PDF instructions at:

www.columbusparties.com/planning-resources Cancellations/Rescheduling WITH The Weather Waiver: Click Here WITHOUT The Weather Waiver: Click Here I just need to flat-out cancel my delivery: Click Here Can I Give A Tip to the Crew or Entertainers? Yes! Our performers and crew work very hard to make your event awesome — and they appreciate your acknowledgement, including tips!

Power/Electric

Generators are not included in your order, unless they are listed on your invoice! To avoid power issues, when not renting a generator from us… 

turn off all unneeded

 Lights - Fans - TV’s - Dishwashers - Washers - Dryers .

Plug in only 1 item per dedicated 20 AMP outlet. No GFCI outlets. If you need more than  3 outlets, we recommend using a generator.

  The set up location must be within 50 feet of the outlet you're using.   A 12-gauge extension cord can be used, as long as it is no more than 50 feet from the outlet, and only 15 feet away when using concession machines. If farther away, the item may not function properly and it may trip circuit breakers. 

Have quick and easy access to the breaker box(es), just in case there are issues.   For Mechanical Rides, including Bull Rides, Meltdown & Surf Rides,  it’s best to use at least a 9000 watt generator for each ride.  No GFCI outlets for these rides. No refunds are given for power issues when you use your own outlets or generators! Adult Supervision Operators/Attendants are not included with our attractions, unless listed on your invoice. We do not provide Lifeguards. Ohio law requires dedicated Adult Supervision at all times for amusement attractions, and a Lifeguard is required on most water attractions. Ohio Law states each Rider must obey all warnings and directions and refrain from behaving or acting in a manner that may cause or contribute to injuring himself or other people while occupying an amusement ride.

O.R.C. 993.08(A)(2), Rule 901:9-1-07(A)(1)

General Tent Info Pole Tents must be staked in grass. Frame Tents can be set up on grass or hard surfaces, but we must know which, BEFORE delivery!

In high winds, tents must come down. Tighten the straps or ropes as needed. If heavy rain occurs, knock off accumulated water on the tent top.

Do not poke any holes in a tent. Go under the tent and brush the water off the top with a broom. You are responsible for damages caused by neglect. Tables & Chairs Info Unless otherwise noted on your invoice... Set up or tear down of tables and chairs isn’t included in our delivery or retrieval service.  Items must be cleaned prior to our arrival.  Items must be folded and stacked prior to our arrival.  Deliveries and retrievals occur at curbside or entryway.

Items must be brought to driveway, loading dock or the closest retrieval point accessible by truck.

Never tape, glue or staple items to our chairs, tables or tents!       Prepping Your Site & Other Important Info Unlock gates, doors and entryways prior to our arrival. Entry-points must be at least 62” wide for dunk tanks and most inflatable attractions. Remove the middle bar from double-door frames (if applicable) for indoor set ups prior to our arrival. Inflatables and amusement rides cannot be set up under utility lines, low-hanging tree branches or too close to buildings. Grass should be mowed 2 days prior to set up, not the night before or the day of delivery.

Shut off all sprinkler systems while you have your rental(s) on site.

Mark underground utilities, including sprinkler systems. Call 811 to find underground utilities. The set up area should be mostly flat and at least 10 feet away from pools and bodies of water.

Rentals must be shut down and covered up during heavy rains and winds that exceed 15 miles per hour.

Follow all directions and posted warning signs. Clean up any dog or other animal droppings prior to our arrival.

We may refuse to set up or drop off if there is a mess. Add at least 3 more feet to all dimensions when calculating the space needed to operate

amusement attractions and set up tents.

Wipe the items down prior to retrieval/return to avoid cleaning fees. Not Included, Unless Otherwise Noted On Your Invoice Attendants - Water Hoses - Generators Water is never included for Dunk Tanks or any water attractions. Prizes are not included, unless ordered. General Safety

See All FAQs Click Here Also See Preparing for us to retrieve your items

Remember... Decide on BEST installation location prior to our arrival.   Asking us to move partially or fully installed  equipment will result in fees of up to 50% of the rental cost.

Many rental companies in Ohio do not permit you to use Well Water with their equipment. We do our best to accommodate our awesome Well Water clients. Well Water can have a negative impact on our inflatables and dunk tanks, sometimes immediately. Non-filtered Well Water can include iron, rust and salt, often creating dirty stains, streaks or a white film on equipment. The special cleaners that we must use to remove these marks also wear considerably on these units. Plus, it sometimes takes us up to 6 hours to properly clean an attraction stained by Well Water. We may permit Well Water to be used on the inflatables that we allow to be used Wet, as well as our Dunk Tanks, where other non-awesome companies won't. But for us to make this special accommodation, we charge a $199+ Well Water Fee. This fee covers the replacement of liners that can't be cleaned, as well as the additional time it takes to clean items when iron stains and other negative effects appear on the unit. We understand some clients have amazing filter systems. However, we've discovered that outdoor water connections often bypass these systems, pumping out unfiltered Well Water. Sometimes the filter systems themselves cause a film or faded look on a unit's vinyl over time. On some items, we may decline your request to use Well Water for numerous reasons. These may include the fact that the liners on these items are hard to replace, the unit is new or we don't want certain colors to fade. If Well Water is your only option, you may want to consider renting other inflatables on our web site that can be used with Well Water. On the product page under pricing, you often see this statement: "If Well Water is used, a $199 fee will apply.

If item was used wet or with Well Water, without disclosing this intended use at time of booking, you will be charged $200 to $499+ (or more, depending on cleaning needs or damage) when item is returned. No exceptions." We thank you in advance for your understanding in this matter.

AFE’s delivery and retrieval teams do their best to install and secure equipment with the least amount of impact on lawns and other surfaces. Our first priority is that you, your family and guests enjoy our rides safely, which means our inflatables must be located on mostly flat, relatively firm surfaces that include grass, concrete and asphalt. We cannot install inflatables on gravel, sand or mulch. We are required by law to anchor inflatables securely to the ground in specific ways, and the best way to do that is by tying equipment to stakes that are driven into the ground. The holes stakes leave behind usually repair themselves in a short time. If we absolutely cannot secure equipment with stakes, we will use sandbags, but there will be an additional charge for this option. Your planning will play a big part in determining whether your rented inflatable will damage your lawn, and each location varies in weather conditions, type of grass, amount of moisture and length of time the equipment is installed. The longer a ride is set up, the greater the danger that grass or other plant surfaces will be impacted. We recommend that you locate a bounce house or other large equipment in more shaded areas, which are less likely to already be stressed by too much sun and heat. The healthier the grass, the more resilient it will be to potential short term damage. After our equipment is removed, you can water that area of lawn to help the grass repair itself naturally within a few days. Please consider these other factors:

A water slide or other water element is likely to cause muddy areas on lawns or other surfaces.
AFE is not responsible for the natural wear and tear on any surfaces through the use of our equipment.
AFE cannot install equipment near pools, ponds, other bodies of water, buildings or under overhead hazards such as utility lines, low-hanging tree branches or other foreign objects.
Grass in lawns and fields must be mowed at least 3 days before our equipment is set up, and we insist that all animal yard waste must be removed before we arrive to install our rides and attractions.

Please be warned that we sometimes arrive with a delivery and encounter unique set up situations that pose a safety risk, either to the equipment or to riders. When this happens, we will do our best to accommodate your event needs, but we reserve the right to deny set up or rental because of these unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

Check with your event venue to make sure our crews will have access at the scheduled drop off or pick up times. Sometimes companies, school parking lots or church properties close at dusk or lock security fences after hours. Some sites, such as parks, don't allow access before dawn or after the sun sets. Make sure the people onsite during those hours know that you have arrange with us to bring equipment or to retrieve it. Remember that we will deliver well in advance of your scheduled event start time, so that equipment can be set up and checked for safety without delaying your event. That may mean a predawn setup, perhaps on a field day. And sometimes equipment must be removed after a late-night prom or other party. In both cases, make sure there will be adequate lighting to safely and securely set up equipment and to retrieve it from your site.