What you need for a circus show

A circus show needs more than a tent and performers. Plan supplies for the audience, the cash desk, sound setup, power, weather changes and safe movement around the site. Reusable cups, coolers, flashlights and payment equipment are easy to overlook until the first visitors arrive. Use the plan below as your shopping and packing checklist, then check every item again when deliveries arrive and before the grounds open.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 160
Beer tablesqty 12
Cash desk table
Buffet tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 80
Bollardsqty 12
Conesqty 20
Stoolsqty 8
Storage boxesqty 12
Clothes racksqty 2

Equipment

Circus tent
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable power banksqty 4
Cash register
Payment terminal
Cash box
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Speaker standsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Laddersqty 2
Hand truckqty 2
Tool casesqty 2
Herringqty 40
Guy ropesqty 20
Fire extinguishersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Markersqty 12
Clipboardsqty 6
Pensqty 30
Notepadsqty 10
Wallet traysqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 80
Platesqty 180
Dessert platesqty 180
Forksqty 180
Knivesqty 180
Spoonsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving Cupsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 8
Pliersqty 8
Ice packsqty 30
Thermos dispensersqty 4
Dishpanqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon weightsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12
Welcome sign
Program postersqty 10
Directional signsqty 12
Fabric backdropsqty 4
Stage drapesqty 4
Flagsqty 20
Directional signsqty 10

Lighting

String lightsqty 10
LED lampsqty 12
Batteriesqty 24
Outdoor lightsqty 8
Lanternsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Toilet paper holdersqty 6
Paper towelsqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 4
Sanitary waste binsqty 6
Barrier tapeqty 4
Work glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Cola Zero - 18 bottles
- Orange soda - 12 bottles
- Ice tea - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 4 cartons
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Coffee cream - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 8 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Syrup waffles - 8 packs
- Mini muffins - 150 pieces
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 60 pieces
- Mini cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Herb cheese - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 180 pieces
- Mini rolls - 180 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus wraps - 40 pieces
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper straws - 400 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- Cleaning vinegar - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Frozen ice - 20 kilos
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Coffee biscuits - 8 packs
- Lemons - 30 pieces
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Sandwich bags - 2 boxes
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Food containers - 40 pieces
- Bottle openers - 6 pieces
- Cash register rolls - 6 rolls

Sports equipment

Juggling ballsqty 12
Juggling ringsqty 12
Juggling pinsqty 12
Circus Clothqty 2
Hula hoopsqty 10
Balance beam
Acrobatics matsqty 6
Crash matsqty 4
Diabolosqty 8
Bean bagsqty 20
Circus sticksqty 8
Rodeo hatsqty 12
Prop cratesqty 6

Tips

Prepare at least one reusable cup and one coffee cup per expected visitor, then add 10% spare capacity for loss, damage and late arrivals. Keep used cups separate from clean stock.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, with extra water for performers, volunteers and warm weather. Store chilled drinks in coolers before the audience arrives rather than relying on a last-minute delivery.
Pack power supplies together: extension cords, power strips and rechargeable power banks should be checked and charged at least 24 hours before the show. Bring spare charging capacity for the microphone, payment terminal and phones.
Set aside a complete cash-desk kit: cash register, payment terminal, cash box, a working power connection and a backup payment option. Count the starting cash before doors open and keep the cash box out of public view.
Bring at least one flashlight for each entrance or working area, plus a few spare batteries or fully charged units. Check cones, bollards, guy ropes and ladders during the site inspection, not while visitors are arriving.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drinks do I need for a circus show?: Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, plus water for performers and volunteers. For snacks, start with one portion per expected guest and add about 10% if the show lasts more than two hours. Include options based on the dietary requirements you collected.
How many cups should I buy for a circus show?: Allow one reusable cup and one coffee cup per expected visitor, with 10% extra. For 100 visitors, that means at least 110 of each type if both drinks may be served. Keep clean and used cups in separate containers.
What power supplies are needed for a circus show?: Pack extension cords and power strips for the speakers, mixer, microphone and payment equipment, and bring rechargeable power banks as backup. Test every cable and charge every power bank at least 24 hours before the event; never connect equipment until the site layout is checked.
What should I bring for the circus show cash desk?: Bring a cash register, payment terminal and cash box, plus the required cables and a backup power bank. Count the starting cash before opening and allow at least 30 minutes before doors open to test payments, organise tickets or wristbands and secure the cash box.

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