Big Heads, Big Sports Trend, Big Fun

The biggest trend in college basketball student sections is really B-I-G.  Three feet tall, big head cutouts, numbering 150 strong at some schools are waved as an attempt to distract visiting players when shooting free throws.  Whether they are effective is debatable, but it’s clear their popularity has taken off.

“The big heads are very popular during the NCAA tourney. Those watching the games from parties at home or in bars wave personalized big head cutouts of their guests to produce a few laughs, while cheering on their favorite teams,” remarks Jacquie Downey, Director of Sales and Marketing at Shindigz, a leading national party supply company.

Making a BIG Impression

High schools are enjoying the action, too. Administrators and parents create big head cutouts to recognize players and coaches during games. “It was the highlight of the night and the talk of the town,” says one mother who used them during her sons’ final high school football game.

Cheering families of marathon runners find the big head cutout’s huge three feet size make a huge impact when their runner turns the corner and sees themselves larger than life.

“They’re not just for sporting events anymore. We get many orders for milestone birthdays.  Big head cutouts showing the guest of honor as a child and an adult really makes a big impression,” adds Downey.

About Shindigz

Since 1926, Shindigz has been a part of over 22 million events and delighted customers with creative party ideas, supplies, and decorations.

Shindigz National Soccer Festival Features 44 Teams

Shindigz National Soccer Festival

The 2011 Shindigz National Soccer Festival returns to IPFW’s Hefner soccer fields for another year filled with 16 top-ranked collegiate soccer teams. The 2011 Shindigz National Soccer Festival will not only host a “who’s who” of nationally ranked Universities, but 28 high school teams as well during the August 19, 20 and 21 event. This year’s line-up includes the 2010 National Champion Akron, 2010 National Runner-Up Louisville and Final Four participant, University of Michigan.

Perennial ACC soccer powerhouse Duke will be accompanied by Creighton, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Denver, Michigan State, Ohio State,   Xavier, IPFW, Saint Francis and Indiana Tech.  Girls and boys high school powers from the Fort Wayne area and throughout Indiana, plus the addition of four Michigan schools, will square off on the pitch Friday and Saturday.

In addition to plenty of great soccer, families will enjoy a midway filled with games and activities for the kids. Try out the Speed Kick game or bounce in one of the bounce houses. Have your child’s face painted by Sweetcakes Entertainment or receive a fun balloon art sculpture. For the adults, a beer tent will serve ice-cold adult beverages.  Music will also be heard throughout the weekend soccer event making it a top midwest soccer party.

Advance Tickets can be purchased at any of the ProFed locations or Connolly’s Do It Best hardware stores through out the Fort Wayne, Indiana area, or at Soccer Plus. Tickets will also be available at the gate: $5.00 for students (college I.D. & under) for the entire weekend, $5.00 for adults for a day pass or $10.00 for adults for a weekend pass.

The Shindigz National Soccer Festival has grown to include the spring Kickin’ It At the Diamond as well as this annual multiday Festival in August. Teams attending the festival over the years have won 38 of the 52 NCAA National Championships and of the 48 teams who competed in the 2010 NCAA tournament, nine of them, including six who made the sweet sixteen and three who made the final four, are competing this August.

Gear Up for the World Cup with a Soccer Themed Party

Personalized Soccer Stand In

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is just a few weeks away, and soccer fans all over the world are getting ready to celebrate the culmination of another great season. If you love the sport, you can celebrate with your friends and family by throwing a soccer themed party!

For such a momentous television event, you’ll want to gather together a lot of party supplies. Find some mylar balloons in the shape of soccer balls to really get this party started!

Since it’s summertime, why not make your event an outdoor bash? Gather everyone together for a barbecue, and set up tables outside for some delicious dining. You can easily find plates that fit in with the soccer motif!

When the game starts, you’ll want to encourage your friends to cheer on their favorite teams. Hanging up a personalized soccer banner rooting for the country you support is a great idea. Or why not display your team’s national flag proudly in your living room?

Be sure to send your guests home with some great party favors to help them remember your event. Soccer key chains, travel mugs or temporary tattoos are all fantastic choices. Or make some noise with a Soccer Ball Clapper.

With all these great decorations, your friends will go wild for this year’s soccer World Cup!

ShindigZ National Soccer Festival Comes to Fort Wayne

Indiana, Notre Dame Soccer to Tangle at Parkview Field

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Two of the Nation’s top college soccer teams in Indiana will lock horns in downtown Fort Wayne during the 2010 ShindigZ National Soccer Festival. The Indiana Hoosiers will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in an exhibition game set for April 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Parkview Field.

 

ShindigZ National Soccer Festival

“This will be a great exhibition and we are happy to be partnered with Shindigz and Parkview Field,” ShindigZ National Soccer Festival director Terry Stefankiewicz said. “This game will not only match two of the top teams in the state of Indiana, but two of the better teams in the country.”

The Hoosiers are seven-time national champions while the Irish have won five conference crowns. Both teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2009.

Tickets purchased in advance are $7 for adults, $5 for kids (college age (College ID required) and under. On the day of the game, they will be $9 for adults, $7 for kids college age-with a college ID and under.

The game will be the first non-baseball sporting event played at Parkview Field since its opening in April 2009. The facility is the home of the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Class-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.

“Parkview Field had an extremely successful first season and now we are excited to be the host for the ShindigZ National Soccer Festival,” TinCaps president Mike Nutter said. “This event will showcase the facility and its ability to host unique events.”

For the first time, ShindigZ has come on board as the primary title sponsor of the National Soccer Festival.

“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the ShindigZ National Soccer Festival,” ShindigZ President Shep Moyle said. “As the largest party supplier in the country, we are excited to be part of a very special event at Parkview Field that will benefit all of northeast Indiana. We look forward to working together to continue to grow and expand the ShindigZ National Soccer Festival for the benefit of our youth and families across the Midwest.”

Invitation Ideas for a Heads Up Soccer Party

A Heads Up Soccer party is a fun theme for a soccer player or sports enthusiast’s birthday. Once you’ve chosen this theme for your party, decide on a slogan to use in invitations, personalized favors and custom banners. Here are our ideas:
• Heads Up! Fun Ahead at Morgan’s Soccer Party!
• Get Your Kicks at Steve’s Soccer Birthday!
• A Great Time’s the Goal at Taylor’s Soccer Party!

After picking a slogan, create invitations to send out to guests.

The Heads Up Soccer Party Kit has a matching paper invitation you can add your party details to and send out to your guests. Add a pinch of confetti for extra fun.

If you can hand deliver your invitations, create them on the computer and print them out. Use curling ribbon to attach the invitations to a soccer favor such as a soccer ball cell phone charm or a soccer ball straw bottle. Guests will love these invitations!

Be sure to check out the rest of our Heads Up Soccer Party TipZ!

Decorating Ideas for a Heads Up Soccer Party

Decorations for your Heads Up Soccer party should be fun and sporty. You can get an awesome soccer look in a breeze with these party tips and supplies.

Start your decorating with the Heads Up Soccer Party Kit, which includes Heads Up Soccer tableware, thank you notes, royal blue star confetti, cutlery, bright blue balloons, green balloons, emerald green curling ribbon, a green plastic tablecover. The Deluxe Kit also includes a 10” x 30” personalized banner, soccer ball mylar balloon, blue crepe streamers, green crepe streamers and silver spiral candles.

Welcome guests to your party with a Varsity Soccer Personalized Banner. Add your own custom wording to the banner printed on heavy-duty, weather-resistant vinyl. The banners are available in seven different sizes and can be used again and again!

Our Orange Cheer Phones (sport cones) are great for running drills, and they will also add a great splash of color to any party location!

Pay tribute to soccer heroes or favorite team by adding logoed pennants, jerseys, caps, autographed balls, or well-worn shin guards…anything you have around the house.

Decorate with balloons. They’re great for filling up space and adding an extra dimension to your party decorations. Create balloon bunches with blue and green balloons in odd numbers (3, 5, 7…). Attach the balloons with curling ribbon to balloon weights or the back of chairs. Add soccer ball mylar balloons to some of the bunches for extra pizzazz.

Use grass mats to create a backdrop or “green carpet” for your party. The grass mats are easy to use and simulate the turf of a soccer field.

Create a fun focal point with a Soccer Player Photo-Op Standee. Guests will have a ball taking commemorative photos with the standee.

Table Decorations

A well-decorated table brings all your party decorations together. Decorate your party tables with the Heads Up Soccer Party Kit and other coordinating table decorations.

Start by covering your tables with a green plastic tablecover. Over the top, sprinkle some confetti. In the center add a Heads Up Soccer centerpiece.

Next, set each place with Heads Up Soccer tableware. The tableware coordinates with your decorations and looks great! You can create cutlery bundles with personalized napkins or Heads Up Soccer napkins and curling ribbon.

Add some extra fun to your table with party favors. Party favors make great table decorations in addition to being gifts for your guests. Use a soccer mug to serve drinks in and add a soccer ball molded candle to each place. There’s tons of choices!

Check out the rest of our Soccer Party TipZ and tell us your ideas!