What time should my son's 1st Birthday Beach Barbecue start?

We rented a pavilion at the park/beach that we have for the whole day. We're hiring someone to bbq hot dogs, burgers and chicken. What time should I schedule the party to start and what time should Mickey Mouse come out with the cake? I'm taking into consideration what my son's nap schedule might be then, the heat, out of town guests, fitting in food, beach, balloon animals, and snowcone machine, etc. DS takes two naps now... 45 minutes and 1 1/2 hours... either one could be the long one.

Also, do I put an end time on the invite?

TIA!!

Re: What time should my son's 1st Birthday Beach Barbecue start?

I would think after his 2nd nap so it will be cooling off. I would also put a definite end time. Lo that age get over stimulated and they always recommend to keep it short and sweet and go easy on decorations. I assume you are having other kids that may be a little older? They usually suggest around 2-3 hrs from what I read when I was planning ds. If you can make it more simple and save the more stimulating stuff for when hes a little older.

Re: What time should my son's 1st Birthday Beach Barbecue start?

We are also doing a party at a beach pavillion for DS's first. The party is 11:30-3:30 and I did put the end time on the invite. We plan on doing cake around 2:45.

Re: What time should my son's 1st Birthday Beach Barbecue start?

we did a park pavilion party for both my kids.. one in July and the other in August.

we had both parties start at 12 and most people left around 4.

my kids at that age were hit or miss with naps, and if they did nap, i had a stroller for them or someone would hold them.

i didnt schedule anything around naps... but you know your kid best...

ppl started arriving about 11:00-11:30 food went out by 12:30-1, the entertainment came from 1-2 and the cake came out about 3-3:30

ETA: we only put the start time on the invite

Message edited 4/24/2012 6:26:22 AM.