Party Compass Erie

✨ Our friends at Once Upon A Party NEED YOUR HELP (And are giving away 50% OFF in return!) ✨

The Details:
Behind the scenes at Once Upon A Party, we are always looking for ways to make planning your magic as stress-free as possible. This week, we are rolling out a brand-new booking system—but before we fully launch, we need to test the waters!

We are looking for a handful of awesome parents and party planners to try it out and give us your HONEST feedback.

We want to know it all: What works? What doesn’t? Is it way easier than before, or is it more complicated?

Time Commitment: Only 2 to 5 minutes! We promise we keep things simple.

The Process: We will send you both our previous method and the new system to try out, so even if you’ve never booked a party to completion with us before, you can easily compare them!

The Reward: As a massive thank you for your time, everyone who completes the test and shares their feedback will receive an exclusive 50% OFF voucher for any 30-minute or 60-minute party package! (Valid for one-time use anytime before December 31, 2026! 🥳)

We only have a limited number of tester spots available so we can closely review the feedback.

Want to help us build a better experience and snag half-off your next character adventure? Comment "TESTER" below or send us a DM right now, and we’ll send you the details! 👇✨

How fun is this?? Reach out to Presley and Pear for some summer craft fun!!

What are you the most excited to create??

We're excited for summer!! 9 am, 10 am and 11 am spots available! $20 per child includes 1 main craft and 1 mini craft or experiment! Email Rachel to schedule!

Trendy Tuesday:
The "Chill Zone" Revolution 🧘‍♀️✨
Wellness & Sensory-Friendly Fun

The newest trend in town? The Wellness Party! We're seeing more guided kids' yoga, spa-style pampering, and dedicated "Quiet Corners" or sensory-friendly zones at larger events to make sure every guest feels comfortable and included.

Trend Tip: Incorporating a movement-based activity like yoga is a great way to channel all that birthday energy! Look through our directory (HInt- The Little House Company) for local businesses who specialize in bringing the "chill" to your thrill.

We wanted to take a moment to look back and say a massive THANK YOU to our incredible community! Since launching The Party Compass Erie, the response has been nothing short of overwhelming.

Over the last four months, we have watched this platform grow into a thriving resource for families and event planners across the region. We are now seeing more than 1,500 site visitors every single week, which confirms what we suspected from the start: Erie truly needed a one-stop shop for all things party and event planning!

Whether you are searching for the perfect baker, a unique venue, or top-tier character entertainment, your support proves that a comprehensive local directory is a vital tool for our community. As a business owner who knows how much this city relies on word-of-mouth, seeing this kind of engagement means the world.

Want to join our directory? 🧭✨

If you are a vendor, a local business, or anyone involved with parties and events, we want to help you reach more people! We are always looking to grow our directory with the best local talent to ensure we are a comprehensive guide for everything from bakers and decorators to venues and entertainment.

Fill out the vendor form below to be part of the compass!
https://form.jotform.com/260138401666151

Look at this fun event that two of our Vendors are part of this weekend!!

Go see the Demon Hunters from Once Upon A Party at Board & Brush Erie, PA Saturday!!

Bonus: use code HUNTER for $10 off two seats!!

It’s National Dance Like a Chicken Day, and we want to know: who is the undisputed Chicken Dance champion of your family? 🏆

Whether it’s the song that gets everyone on the dance floor at a wedding or the go-to move to embarrass the kids, today is the day to embrace the feathers and flap!

Show us your moves and maybe we will feature you in our stories!!

Welcome to our brand-new series: Trendy Tuesdays! 🧭✨

As we see over 1,500 visitors a week hitting the directory to plan their big moments, we’ve noticed some incredible new themes popping up. Every Tuesday, we’ll be navigating the latest party trends taking over the Erie event scene to give you fresh inspiration and connect you with the local pros who can make it happen!

The "Silly Goose" Aesthetic 🦆🌿
Move over, bright primaries! For our tiniest Erie celebrants, it’s all about "Cottagecore" vibes. Think "One Silly Goose" or "Wild One" themes featuring moss, mushrooms, and pastel gingham. It’s whimsical, cozy, and looks amazing in photos.

⭐ Trend Tip⭐
This look is all about texture! Pair natural wooden rentals with custom floral cookies from one of our local Erie bakers. Head to our directory to find the perfect vendors to bring this earthy magic to life.

📷 Rubber Ducky Balloon Designs

The Party Pro Tip: 3 Secrets to Saving Your Sanity 🧭✨

After years of running an entertainment business and navigating the Erie event scene, we've seen it all! Planning a celebration should be a joy, not a source of stress. Leveraging a bit of a marketing mindset—where timing and guest experience are everything—here are three practical tips to keep your next party smooth and your sanity intact:

1. The "Cake Rule" 🎂
Never serve the cake at the start! Aim for about 30 minutes before the end. It’s a natural signal that the festivities are winding down, and guests leave on a happy note. If you want the centerpiece of the party to taste as good as it looks, you have to check out the creations from Sweet Jane Bakery—her treats are always the talk of the town!

2. The "Activity Buffer" 🖍️
The first 15 minutes can be chaotic as guests trickle in. Avoid the "what do we do now?" energy by having a passive activity ready immediately. A total game-changer for this is the Coloring Wall from Party Spot Rentals. It gives the kids a massive, creative outlet the second they walk in, giving you time to greet parents and get settled.

3. The "Reverse RSVP" 📞
Instead of chasing people down, try a "Regrets Only" RSVP for larger school-wide invites, or give a firm "Confirm by" date. Clearly stating that you need a final count for the baker or venue by a specific day helps parents understand the "why" behind your deadline.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the memories, not the perfection! We love seeing our Erie community thrive, and we’re here to help you find the local experts who can handle the heavy lifting for you.

Looking for more local pros to help with your next big day? Head over to our directory to find everything you need in one spot!

Did you know about this great space for parties and events at St. Martin Center, Inc.??? Check out their info on www.partycompasserie.com and reach out for your next party!!

St. Martin Center's Multipurpose Room is available to rent and it's ideal for birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers, family gatherings, and more!

Here's what you get:
- Seats up to 120 guests
- Chairs, round tables & rectangular tables included
- Tables arranged just the way you want
- No restrictions on event length

$75/hr weekdays | $85/hr weekends
(Security deposit required)

📞 Call 814-452-6113 ext. 215 to check availability and book your date.