For pop-up market Hosts:

Make your market more family-friendly

Your vendors sell beautiful things. Candles, jewelry, plants, art. All adult-focused. So when families with kids show up, they do one lap and realize "there's literally nothing here for us." Custom balloon entertainment solves that. Families find something that's actually for them, kids light up, and suddenly your market feels different from the five others happening this weekend.

+10

years of experience

Why most markets feel identical

Every market in your area has the same vendor mix. Same candles. Same jewelry. Same plants. Same hand-knit items.
Families can't tell markets apart because your market feels like every other market.

So they pick whichever one is closest. Or skip it entirely.

What you actually need is something that makes your market feel different the moment families arrive.

Face painters? A given.
Generic balloon twisters? The same basic dogs and swords.
Character meet-and-greet? A fantastic option, but what will families do once they get their pic? Probably leave because there's nothing else for the kids to do.

What you need is entertainment that proves "family-friendly" isn't just something you say.

It's something families discover when they arrive.

The System Behind the Magic

How professional balloon entertainment proves your market is family-friendly

Most balloon artists show up with a one-size-fits-all birthday party approach. Same basic designs (dog, sword, flower), same rushed speed, same generic experience families have seen everywhere.
This doesn't bring the "wow, this feels different" factor you're looking for.

Why my process is different:

Before event

I curate a custom-themed menu
Before your market, we create a custom themed menu matching your market's identity and season:

  • Halloween Event - spiders, ghosts, Jack Skellington
  • Christmas Event - Santa, reindeers, Olaf, Elsa, candy canes

Then you have marketing content:
Post the themed menu on Instagram/Facebook 2-3 days before your market: "Sneak peek at Saturday's Halloween balloon designs! 🎃🍂"

What this means for you:

  • Shifts your marketing from claim ("we say family-friendly") to proof ("we show family-friendly")
  • Families see: "Oh, they actually HAVE something for kids"
  • Drives attendance: "My kids will love this, we're coming!"

At the event

Professional Station Setup

  • Tablecloth (matches your theme colors if requested)
  • Umbrella
  • Custom themed menu display showing design options
  • Organized request-and-pickup system if needed (no bottlenecks, no long lines)

When families arrive:

  • Kids spot it immediately: "MOM! BALLOONS!"
  • Parents see professional presentation: "Oh, this market actually IS for families"
  • The visual signal says: "Yes, families belong here" (not just adult-focused vendor booths)

The result

Spreading joy and happiness

  • I make 35-100 intricate balloon designs per event (depending on package)
  • Not only basic designs
  • Kids get elaborate octopuses, pumpkins, characters (not generic dogs)
  • Parents appreciate the craftsmanship
  • Families take photos and post to Instagram with your market hashtag - organic social proof you didn't have to ask for.

Families stay longer (+ dwell time)

  • Extends visits: A 5-minute "just browsing" turns into a 20-30 minute visit
  • Families discover more vendors (before balloon, while waiting, after pickup)
  • Higher receptivity to purchases (good mood = more spending)

This is the difference between entertainment that "keeps the kids busy" and "wow, this market actually gets it." Organized, professional entertainment that proves your market is family-friendly, not just a DIY craft station.

Package and PRICING details

Three ways to make your market family-friendly

You invest upfront, families experience it free

2.5 hours

Standard

$450
Professional and family-friendly.
About 35-45 families get  FREE balloon designs
Custom themed menu matching your market decor
The Brave Bear Balloon Bar Station table, umbrella, themed menu display
$30 signature showpieces available for families wanting premium work
Pre-event marketing content themed balloon designs for social media
Strategic positioning consultation 15 min call about your market layout
Perfect for:
  • Monthly markets with 100-150 attendees
  • First-time booking to test market-sponsored entertainment
  • Markets wanting tangible proof of "family-friendly" positioning
  • Events with 2-3 hour active entertainment window
4 hours

Premium

$675
More coverage for larger events.
Everything in Standard, PLUS:
About 55-70 families get FREE balloon designs
4 hours of continuous professional entertainment
Complements larger entertainment lineup
Perfect for:
  • Larger monthly markets with 200-300 attendees
  • Events with multiple entertainment elements needing coordination
  • When you want entertainment coverage throughout the entire event
  • Markets wanting tangible proof of "family-friendly" positioning
6 hours

Festival

$900
All-day coverage for big festivals.
Everything in Standard, PLUS:
About 80-100 families get FREE balloon designs
6 hours of continuous professional entertainment
All-day presence at major festivals, or seasonal events
Mobility option (can move between festival zones)
Priority booking for popular festival dates
Perfect for:
  • Annual festivals or grand opening celebrations (300+ attendees)
  • All-day events where families come and go in waves
  • Major seasonal celebrations (Oktoberfest, Harvest Festival, Halloween, Christmas, Holiday Market)
  • When family engagement is critical to event success

Not sure which package fits your event?

No worries. Go ahead and fill out the interest form anyway. We can hop on a phone call and find out what works best for you based on:

  • Your expected attendance and typical family visit duration
  • Your existing entertainment lineup and how we complement it
  • Your market theme and seasonal positioning
  • Your budget and strategic goals

Whatever package you choose, you still get:

  • Custom themed menu aligned with your market identity and season
  • Pre-event marketing content (you can share themed balloon designs 2-3 days before)
  • Strategic positioning consultation (where to place us for maximum impact)
  • Request-and-pickup system (prevents bottlenecks, extends vendor browsing)
  • Market-specific expertise (we understand public markets, not just birthday parties)
  • Self-contained setup (we bring everything, require only 10×10 space)
  • Recurring booking option (lock in monthly dates for sustainable partnership)
  • Core menu designs are FREE for guests (market-sponsored). Only $30 signature showpieces cost extra for families wanting premium custom work.

About Steamer Lee

Most balloon artists think their job is making balloons. I think my job is giving families another reason to choose your market over the playground, the mall, or staying home. When kids are engaged and happy, parents relax. When parents relax, they actually enjoy your market—and stick around longer. When families stick around, vendors make sales.

That mindset shift comes from spending 10+ years making balloons while also helping companies fix their terrible marketing.

My day job: B2B marketer for brands like YMCA San Diego, SEMA, and Semrush. Companies hire me when their messaging sounds like it was written by a committee that never talked to an actual customer. My approach: interview real people, find out what they actually care about, fix the messaging and strategy.

Turns out, the same thinking applies to balloon entertainment. When I show up to your market, I'm not thinking "how many balloon dogs can I crank out before my hands cramp?" I'm thinking, "Are families genuinely enjoying this experience?"

Also: I sometimes build websites like this one. And I develop sales funnels. Because juggling balloons and marketing funnels is totally normal.

On a personal note: I've been married to my wonderful wife for 12 years. I'm an over-caffeinated dad barely keeping up with my 6-year-old son and a 16-year-old Westie who thinks she runs the house. (She does.)

10,000+ balloon creations, 10,000+ kids entertained,
10+ years experience.

Since 2014
11+ years of experience

Balloon artistry is a given. Your balloon artist should know how to make balloons.

But what about experience? You also want an artist who knows how to manage guest expectations and the experience of making balloons for 3+ hours straight.

2015-2019
3 days a week at Downtown Disney

Only a handful of balloon artists in Southern California have spent years honing their craft at Downtown Disney. In an environment where you had to deliver the highest quality of service, we entertained resort guests with Disney-themed characters, superheroes, and princesses.

2016-2019
3 years as a balloon artist trainer

If you've seen other balloon artists in Orange County, there's a good chance I helped train them.

"Steamer does a phenomenal job—kids love it, and even adults loved it too."

He was just so easy to connect with. Genuine. Kind. And when he came to the party, we loved having him. We loved the expressions on the kids’ faces as he made the balloons they requested. He did a phenomenal job.

The kids loved it, and even adults loved it too.
Diego, Dad
Toy Story themed birthday party for his son's 2nd birthday party
Our guests were raving about his amazing balloon twisting skills.

He was the talk of the town!
It was such a blast to have Steamer come for my daughter’s 4th birthday.
Sophia, Mom
Blue-themed birthday party for daughter's 4th birthday party
Amet minim mollit non deserunt est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint officia consequat duis enim mollit exercitation.
Lee Morgan, Slack, Inc
New York, NY Team

"A spectacular sight to see smiles on the faces of every adult and child"

It was a spectacular sight to see on the faces and smiles of every adult and child... because of the creations that you made.
Josh Navillo
Blue-themed birthday party his daughter's birthday party
Our guests were raving about his amazing balloon twisting skills.

He was the talk of the town!
It was such a blast to have Steamer come for my daughter’s 4th birthday.
Sophia, Mom
Blue-themed birthday party for daughter's 4th birthday party
Amet minim mollit non deserunt est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint officia consequat duis enim mollit exercitation.
Lee Morgan, Slack, Inc
New York, NY Team

"My daughter already requested him for her next party"

Our guests were raving about his amazing balloon twisting skills.

He was the talk of the town!
It was such a blast to have Steamer come for my daughter’s 4th birthday.
Sophia, Mom
Blue-themed birthday party for daughter's 4th birthday party
Our guests were raving about his amazing balloon twisting skills.

He was the talk of the town!
It was such a blast to have Steamer come for my daughter’s 4th birthday.
Sophia, Mom
Blue-themed birthday party for daughter's 4th birthday party
Amet minim mollit non deserunt est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint officia consequat duis enim mollit exercitation.
Lee Morgan, Slack, Inc
New York, NY Team
Custom-designed menu for a Toy Story/Pixar-themed party. Along with popular favorites like SpongeBob and Hello Kitty.
Sample THEMED Design

Custom designs to fit your theme

The best events have a theme. Your entertainment should too. Whether you're planning a Hawaiian luau, superhero celebration, or sports day, we don't just show up with generic balloon animals. We create a custom menu designed around YOUR event.

submit an interest form

Check for availability

If the pricing is in the ballpark that fits your budget, here's an interest form to start.
‍‍
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
The traditional vendor model

Yes, there's a $0 upfront option.
But here's what changes.

You can sponsor balloon entertainment as part of your market experience, or I can work traditionally where families pay me directly. Both options work - but they create very different experiences for your market.

RECOMMENDED

Market-Sponsored Entertainment

You invest upfront, families get it free
You get credit for hosting the entertainment
Simple and some elaborate designs FREE for guests
Pre-event marketing content themed balloon designs you can add to your social media posts
Strategic positioning consultation 15 min call about your market layout
My mindset is focused on guest experience, not my sales
Starts at $450
Families have to Pay-Per-Balloon

Traditional Vendor

$0 upfront, families have to pay directly
• Zero financial commitment
• Familes have to pay $5-$30 per balloon
• Extremely limited availability
• No marketing content
• My mindset is mostly focused on my own sales, not your theme and guest experience
Your cost: $0
How it works

The Traditional Vendor Model

How it works:

  • You pay $0 upfront
  • I set up: Professional Balloon Bar at your market
  • Families pay me directly: $5-20 per design (depending on complexity), $30 for signature showpieces

What you give up:

  • Can't market as "FREE balloon art!"
  • No themed menu marketing content to post before event
  • Transaction friction (families surprised they have to pay at an event marketed as "free admission" and "family friendly")

⚠️ Important Note on Availability: I prioritize market-sponsored partnerships for recurring dates and popular weekends. Traditional pay-per-balloon dates are first-come, first-served and may be limited during peak season (spring/summer markets, holiday festivals).

Need a specific date guaranteed?
Market-sponsored is the way to go.

market-sponsored event vs. traditional vendor model

What you're actually trading

When you choose $0 upfront, here's what changes:

What matters

Market-Sponsored

Traditional Vendor

How families see it

""This market invested in making it family-friendly"
""There's a balloon guy here if we want to pay for it"

Your marketing message

✅ "FREE professional balloon art at our market!"
❌ Can't claim this (families pay me)

Pre-event buzz

Themed menu you can post 2-3 days before → drives attendance
No marketing content to share

Who gets credit

YOU — families see you provided this experience
ME — I'm just another vendor transaction

Barrier to engagement

Zero — every family can participate regardless of budget
Transaction friction — some families skip it because they don't want to pull out wallets

Visual Impact at Your Market

Kids with balloons everywhere — creates visible proof your market is family-friendly
Only some kids have balloons — others walk by because their parents didn't want to pay there's space available

Strategic Positioning

We consult on optimal placement for foot traffic and dwell time
I set up wherever there's space available

My Focus During Event

Creating joy and extending dwell time for your market success
Maximizing my sales (I need to make money directly from families)

Date Priority

✅ Your dates locked in, protected for recurring bookings
⚠️ Fill dates last — limited availability during peak season

Partnership vs Transaction

We're aligned — your market's success = my success
We have different goals — you want dwell time, I need sales

The Bottom Line: When kids are walking around your market carrying balloons everywhere, families see proof you're family-friendly. When only some kids have balloons (because their parents paid), it just looks like another vendor. One builds your brand. The other builds mine.

Which model is right for you?

RECOMMENDED

Choose Market-Sponsored if:

You can budget $450-900
You want families to see you invested in their experience
You want marketing content to drive attendance
You're building a brand around "family-friendly"
You want a strategic partner (not just entertainment)
You need to lock in your date now (not "I'm maybe available if nothing better comes up")
Families have to Pay-Per-Balloon

Choose Traditional Vendor Model if:

• You have limited budget for entertainment
• You're okay with families paying out-of-pocket
• You don't need marketing content or pre-event buzz
• You're flexible on dates and understand availability isn't guaranteed—if a Market-Sponsored booking or private event requests your date, I'll notify you immediately
• You're okay with generic balloon designs (popular characters, animals) rather than custom themed menus aligned with your market

Not sure which model fits your market?

You can fill out an interest form anyway. We can go from there.

Questions you might be asking

How many balloon designs can you create in 2.5 hours?

Typically 35-45 designs depending on complexity. During our consultation, we'll discuss whether you want maximum volume (faster designs) or showpiece moments (intricate designs that create crowds).

How do I know your designs will actually be good?

You can always check my work on Instagram. I'm always sharing new designs and trying new things. Past parents consistently mention being "blown away" by what I do, exceeding their expectations.

Can you create themed designs for our seasonal market?

Absolutely! That's part of every Market-Sponsored package. We create a custom themed menu during our pre-event consultation (Halloween, holiday markets, spring themes, etc.).

How does the pricing work for Traditional Pay-Per-Balloon?

Families pay me directly—$5-20 per design depending on complexity, $30 for signature showpieces. You pay nothing upfront, but families see it as an add-on purchase rather than free entertainment.

How do I know families will actually engage with this?

I've done over a dozen pop-up markets all over Southern California. Here's one recurring feedback I hear: "We walked around and couldn't find anything to buy... until we found you!" Balloon entertainment solves the "there's nothing here for families" problem. When your vendor mix skews adult (candles, jewelry, plants), families need something that signals "you belong here." That's what I provide.

We need something to differentiate us from other markets in our area. Is this enough?

When you can market "FREE professional balloon art at our market" and post themed menus before your event, families notice. Most markets have the same vendor types. Entertainment—especially quality entertainment families can experience for free—becomes your differentiator. It's the reason families choose YOUR market over the one two miles away.

Our last few markets had similar attendance. How does this drive new attendance?

Two ways: (1) Pre-event marketing—when you post themed balloon menus 2-3 days before your market, families save the date. (2) Organic social proof—when families post photos during your event saying "look what we got at [Your Market]!", their friends see it and come next time.

How do I know this investment will pay off long-term?

Think about vendor retention. When vendors see good foot traffic and happy families, they return and pay booth fees again. The $450-900 you invest in one market can pay for itself if even 2-3 vendors decide to return because traffic was strong

How far in advance should we book you?

Popular dates (summer weekends, holiday season) book 2-3 months out. If your event is in the next 4-6 weeks, reach out immediately to check availability.

Still have questions?

Submit an interest form, and we'll get in touch.

Spark smiles throughout your event.

With balloon art on hand, you can:

  • Keep every guest engaged, from kids to adults
  • Fill quiet moments with laughter and excitement
  • Encourage guests to mingle and share in the fun
  • Add a personal, whimsical touch to your gathering
  • Relax, knowing your event has a steady energy throughout