Party Central, a place synonymous for hosting birthday parties will host its own birthday party celebrating tens years of providing fun for area youths.

The celebration begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 6 p.m. giving kids and young adults complete access to go carts, bumper boats and an assortment of other rides and activities along with providing ten tokens for the arcade and live music. The $10 pass will also includes a free hot dog and birthday cake giveaway while supplies last. Bossier City Fire Prevention will bring their fire truck and smoke house display, Willis-Knighton’s Shots for Tots will provide needed immunizations and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office will do a Motorcycle Demonstration and provide child Finger Printing.

“The Bossier Shreveport area welcomed us with open arms when we started so we just wanted to give back,” said Bernadette Chandler, co-owner of Party Central.

Party Central began as a home based business renting inflatable play areas. Eventually, they began working corporate events at the old Hamel’s Amusement Park in Shreveport. After Hamel’s closed down in 1999, Bernadette Chandler and her husband Cicero Chandler sought to create an entertainment venue of their own.

“After Hamel’s Park closed down there was no place for corporates to have any special events, there was no where for the community to go for birthday parties,” said Chandler.  

The Chandlers purchased Fiddle Sticks, which featured a miniature golf course and batting cages. Over time, the Chandlers expanded the 1,500 square foot building to 10,000 square feet. Then, the Chandlers purchased an additional 16 acres of land for outdoor activities. The old Fiddle Sticks location then became Party Central.
Bernadette Chandler attributes much of Party Central’s success to her husband.

“We are big kids at heart, my husband especially. He knows what kids enjoy — it is a gift he has,” said Chandler.
Chandler explained much of what Party Central seeks to achieve occurs at the front door.

“When you walk into this building and you cannot get excited then something is wrong. When you walk in we try to imagine ourselves as children. That is how we have it set up. To get that feeling kids have,” said Chandler.

“It always does something special to you when a kids walks in the door and they have a big gasp. That is what we want to here.”

Chandler admits even working in a business centered on play and laughter is not all fun and games.

“It has its ups and downs. It is doing well. I think we will withstand the economy. It is like any business,” said Chandler.

Chandler believes Party Central will remain a youth mainstay for years to come.

“As long as the community will support us, we will be here,” said Chandler.

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved