Popcorn vs Cotton Candy vs Shave Ice: Which Concession Rental Should You Choose

Planning a party is more than just decorations and a guest list. Food and entertainment can have a massive impact on the whole experience and a good way to make it more engaging is with some form of concession station. Popcorn, cotton candy and shaved ice each create a very different ambience so your choice of concession will depend on your guests, the theme of the event, the season, the venue and the sort of experience you're after. A decent concession machine comparison will go a long way to helping you make your decision prior to booking.

If you're planning a movie night, a birthday party, a family gathering, a school function, a wedding reception or an outdoor event, think about what your guests are most likely to enjoy. Plan-it Rentals can be part of your planning when you're looking at event equipment and Food & Beverage Rentals. Don't just go for the concession machine because it looks cool. Consider how it fits into the schedule of the event, the amount of space you have, the age group of your guests and the general theme of the party.

Why add a concession machine to your event?

A concession station can be used to turn the refreshments into part of the entertainment. Rather than just having snacks on a normal food table, you can have a concession which gives the guests something to engage with and makes a real visual focal point at your event.

Concession machines are ideal for children's birthdays, family reunions, outdoor movie nights, graduation parties, community events and the like. They can also be used as a complement to a full food menu rather than a replacement. A movie night might have popcorn as the 'thing' you're selling, a summer birthday party might have shaved ice as the 'thing' you're selling.

Before you go any further, think about what kind of concession station you're after. Are you after a proper classic cinema experience, are you after a bit of a carnival atmosphere or are you after a nice summer treat? That will go a long way to helping you decide.

Popcorn: The Classic Choice for Movie Nights

Popcorn is one of the most iconic of the concessions and is absolutely the right thing to have at an entertainment focused event. If you're having an outdoor movie, a game night, a sports day or a cinema themed event then it's the perfect thing to have to reinforce the theme.

A popcorn machine rentals also creates a really welcoming atmosphere as you can see the popcorn being made and you can smell it too. It can actually become part of the event rather than just another item on the food table.

Popcorn is absolutely the ticket for an evening event as it doesn't rely on hot outdoor temperatures to be the right thing. It's ideal for birthday parties, family movie nights, corporate functions, school functions and community events all year round.

When setting up a popcorn station, pick a location that is easy for guests to get to without obstructing the main walkways. Have all the serving supplies on hand (bags, cups, napkins, appropriate utensils etc). If the station is being used by children then ensure that adults are supervising the equipment and that the rental provider's operating instructions are followed.

Cotton Candy: Colorful and Fun

Cotton candy is a completely different animal. It's very much the sort of thing you'd have at a children's party, a fair, a festival, a school event, a fete or a birthday with a really vibrant theme.

One of the big pluses of cotton candy is the sheer visual appeal. You can't miss the machine and the finished product. It's an absolutely entertaining thing to have at an event.

Cotton candy also works very well if you're going for a more playful rather than a formal dining atmosphere. It works perfectly with balloons, carnival type decorations, a colourful party theme and all the other things that you'd have at a party.

When you're setting up your cotton candy station, allow sufficient space for guests to come up to the machine and then move away again. Don't position it in the middle of a high footfall area. Get all your supplies organised prior to the event. Cotton candy is a very light product and can be affected by moisture so take your environment into account and follow the equipment provider's advice.

Shave Ice: A Refreshing Outdoor Treat

Shave ice is the perfect treat for a warm weather occasion, ideal for a summer birthday, a backyard bash, a family reunion, a festival, a poolside get-together etc.

Popcorn gives you that nice cosy movie night feel, cotton candy gives you that carnival feel. Shaving ice on the other hand can give your event the feel of a proper summer destination. People can pick their own flavours and go at it themselves so it's quite an interactive food.

When you're planning out your shave ice station, think about where the guests are going to actually get their shave ice and where they're going to sit afterwards. The product is cold and will melt so you want to arrange the station so that people can move from the serving area to the seating area very quickly.

You should also plan for the supplies you'll need to serve the treats efficiently. Cups, spoons, napkins, the various flavour options and waste containers all need to be in place and organised so that guests can move through the station without creating a long queue.

Think About Space and Event Logistics

Your available space should be a factor in your concession decision. Before you go and book a machine you need to know where it's going to be and how the guests are going to get to it.

Measure the area where you intend to set up and consider access to electricity, proximity to tables, guest traffic flow, serving supplies and of course the area available for cleaning up. Don't put your concession equipment in the middle of a narrow walkway or right next to an area where kids are going to be running.

If you're doing a number of Food and Beverage rentals then create a full food service layout. Wherever possible separate out the areas for food prep, serving, seating and waste. That will make a big event a lot easier to run and will reduce the amount of congestion.

Estimate Your Guest Count and Serving Needs

Your guest numbers will also have an effect on your planning. A small group might only need one station whereas a larger event may need quite a bit more thought as to how you organise things to avoid queues. Start by working out how many guests you think are going to be using the concession. Will it be the main dessert/snack or just an additional thing to go with a much larger menu?

Create a supply checklist prior to the event. Depending on the nature of the concession this could be serving containers, napkins, utensils, the ingredients themselves, flavour options, waste bins etc. Having all these things in place beforehand will obviously prevent all sorts of disruption during the event.

Choose Based on the Experience You Want

Ultimately the best concession rental is the one that enhances your event experience. Popcorn creates that classic entertainment feel, cotton candy is great for adding some carnival energy and shave ice is a great option if you're having a warm weather event.

When you're planning with Plan-it Rentals think about the theme of the event, who the guests are, the venue, the season, the amount of space you have, the food menu and the entertainment schedule. Your concession station should be part of the event, not an isolated piece of kit.

Make Your Concession Station Part of the Experience

A concession machine can be so much more than just a way of selling snacks. It can be an integral part of the entertainment, the décor and the overall guest experience. The trick is of course to pick the right machine for the event and to set up the station appropriately.

Whatever you go for in the way of snacks (classic popcorn, colourful cotton candy, refreshing shave ice etc) you need to start by thinking about your guests, the theme of the event, the season, the venue and the amount of space you have. With a bit of planning and the right Concession Machine Rentals your snack station can easily become one of the highlights of the day.

For events that require additional equipment Plan-it Rentals can also be considered when you're looking at your overall Food and Beverage Rentals and party setup. The right concession option can go a long way to creating a fun, well organised and enjoyable experience for all ages.