Bringing bubbles to parties

I'm thinking of adding a bubble machine to my party packages. It would attract attention at festivals and booths, and would be a great add-on for private parties. Does anyone have a bubble machine? Which model do you have, and how do you like it? I want a professional grade machine, but need it to be affordable (-$100) and it needs to be battery AND 120v operational since I never know if I'll have electricity available.

That is a fab idea! Let us know how you make out.

I am looking for one as well. I can use it for my fairy parties and for when I am facepainting.

I was looking around a few months ago, I will see if I can dig up the info I found.

I don't personally own one, but I've heard from a few people that have and they recommended checking lots of reviews on the model and videos of it in operation (if available) beforehand. Some of them are great and some of them are garbage, so shop carefully.

I've been looking at a lot of reviews today, and some youtube videos, and seem to be no farther along than I was before. They all have mixed reviews, but the biggest concern seems to be that the ground or floor gets slippery with bubble soap after a little while, causing people to potentially fall. I finally purchased a Chauvet B-250, which definitely puts out the most bubbles and seems to be high quality. Some say it's messy, but I have a feeling that all of them are. It has to be plugged in, so I'll just have to ask about a power source before agreeing to bring it for parties. I'll let you know how it goes!

What a great idea to attract people at festivals/booths!

Update:

Well, I bought a Chauvet bubble machine on eBay for a great price, and it works really well. The motor isn't loud, and it makes nice bubbles. My main fear was the ground getting slippery in front of it, but so far it's not that messy. I've reorganized my "rates" page on my website to list party options and add-ons, and have bubbles listed at $20 extra per hour. Does that sound reasonable? I want to make money from it, but I also want to be able to use it, so I don't want it to be cost prohibitive.

OR...you can throw it in free if they do the "Supreme" package. Or if they book so many hours.

Great idea Jessica!

I think that sounds perfectly reasonable considering both the bubble juice and the upkeep on the machine should anything break from long term use.

I assume this is all for outdoor use only? And does the stuff leave marks on the neighbours house, car, tent, products....? For festivals best to check with the vendors down wind before setting up!

I specified "outdoor" on my website, though I've seen where people used them inside, particularly in nightclubs and dance halls. I've kept it running on my back porch for a while and there isn't any residue on the house or even the windows. Most of the bubbles rise up into the air and disperse. I'd definitely ask before setting it up at a a festival, and keep an eye on whether or not it's bothering anyone. Most of the pay-per-face events I do have the entertainers spread out a bit anyway. I plan to attach it to the top of my tent (hanging from the "rafter" so the bubbles will mostly be over people's heads. I'm going to test it out at my daughter's BD party soon and see how it goes.

I was thinking of doing this as well.... any updates, Angie? Have you had any trouble with it at festivals?

There's a bubble machine outside the entrance to our children's nursery at church. They have it up high so the bubbles fall in front of the door. There's no residue, or slippery tile & no spill. The toddlers spin & play everytime & it's so inviting!

We haven't heard from Angie in ages.... sigh... I miss her.

I use a bubble machine but it makes big bubbles....really big ones so the kids chase it instead of hundreds of them popping everywhere. I have found that it's a pain in the rear to keep having to stop painting to put stuff in it when it runs out- and the kids complain if I don't. Also If I leave it on the ground some kid who's mum isn't watching picks up a handfull of grass and dirt and dumps it in it - not good and if I put it on my table for some unknown reason no matter which way the wind is blowing they still float over and pop on my head while I'm painting!

I will still use it for events to attract attention, but not offer for birthday's anymore as I find it hard to watch it and paint.
You can see it in this pic - just- on the end of the table on the right. I had to move it there because it stopped the kids touching it.
Sorry it's not such a great shot.

Thanks for letting me know all the pros and cons, Tash!

I may think on this a while. I don't have anymore major festivals until fall (it's just too hot here to be out of the a/c during the summer) so I have some time to consider it. I was thinking of putting it up high on one of my towers and face it in to the entrance so the bubbles would fall over their heads as they walked in. But if it's too high up, then it might be too hard to refill with the bubble liquid. I do have a line manager working during festivals so if we put it on the table with the cash register that might work. Here is a picture of our booth at night so you can see the towers and the table.

wow the lights look amazing!
How long does it take you to set up?
I guess you have to plug into power so do you use this for outdoor events?
My daughter looking over my shoulder just asked me why I don't have a fairy light castle! I could just see her hassling the hell out of me to get in there.
Fantastic. Great work Squiggle I hope you are really proud of yourself!

me too. i tried to contact her a couple of times with no luck. she just may have gotten really busy.

try pm'ing her.

Thanks, Tash!

For this setup, it usually takes around an hour and a half, including unloading, and we usually have 3-4 people helping. The towers are 10' tall and have to be strapped to the luggage rack on our mini-van and they're the most cumbersome thing, but are perfect for the "castle" look, for holding our big banner up high so it can be seen from a long way, and for holding our outer displays. They also 'light up' so they stand out, especially at a night-time festival! We strap the towers to the front two legs of the canopy, along with our weights that we made out of PVC pipe and concrete, and then spray-painted gold. You can see the edge of them (standing up) in the picture at the bottom of the towers. For the festival in the picture, we didn't have the top on our canopy, because we were under the overhang of the Coast Coliseum and didn't need it. Definitely felt more open and nice! We usually do have to have the top for street fairs and other festivals.

Yes, we do pay extra for power for the lights, the cash register, the small fans, etc. And we definitely only use this setup for large festivals! Too much work to setup for anything small like birthday parties. The lights are actually just Christmas icicle lights that we run along the "X" of the EZ-up and along the outer edges. A friend who was moving gave me 20 boxes of them so she wouldn't have to pack them

I would never do this kind of thing if I knew I wouldn't have a lot of help loading, unloading, and then breaking everything down and loading and unloading again! But it sure does get alot of attention

I've been researching them for years too and just haven't bought one...thought of the idea too when I was painting at another party where they had rented one on their own. It really is a great way to draw attention! I found the hum of the machine weirdly relaxing too. ;-) I think $15-$20/hr sounds good, after having looked into the cost of the bubble solution. I'd love to hear your update if you're still out there, Angie!

Bubbles would be a great addition! I like this idea!

Was wondering if anyone else has added this to their services offered and what your experience was?