What to Buy for a Rodent Fair

A rodent fair needs more than tables and cages. You also need safe transport and care supplies, refreshments for visitors and exhibitors, payment equipment, and a reliable setup for power and lighting. Buy or gather animal supplies before the final week, then check quantities against the number of exhibitors, animals and expected visitors. Drinks, cups, cash and extension leads are easy to overlook and can cause delays on opening day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 24
Chairsqty 45
Bar stoolsqty 4
Changing room screensqty 4
Waste binsqty 8

Animal care

Rodent enclosuresqty 8
Drink cupsqty 20
Food bowlsqty 20
Transport boxesqty 6
Towelsqty 12
Digital scaleqty 2
Animal brushesqty 4
Water jugsqty 4

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Cash boxesqty 2
Payment terminalsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Speaker

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 4

Decorations

Name badgesqty 100
Booth numbersqty 30
Information boardsqty 10
Wayfinding signsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 24
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Vacuum cleaner
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Safety

Fire extinguishersqty 2
Barrier tapeqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea assortment - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Paper plates - 150
- Coffee spoons - 150 pieces
- Sugar sachets - 200 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cheese slices - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Oatmeal - 3 kilo
- Rodent food - 5 kilos
- Hay - 6 kilos
- Wood shavings - 4 bags
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Plan one rodent enclosure or suitable display space for each participating animal group, plus a few spare transport boxes for arrivals, changes and emergencies.
Prepare at least two drinking cups and two food bowls per active animal-care station, so one set can be cleaned while the other is in use.
Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then add roughly one drink per person for each following hour. Chill them before doors open and keep extra water in jugs.
Bring one cash box and one payment terminal for each payment point, with small change prepared at least one day before the fair. Test every terminal and charger before loading the equipment.
Count extension cords, power strips and LED lamps against the booth layout before setup. Keep at least one spare extension lead and avoid running animal-care equipment from an overloaded strip.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to bring to a rodent fair?: Bring animal enclosures, transport boxes, food bowls, drink cups, towels, water jugs, a digital scale and animal brushes. For the event itself, also prepare tables, chairs, waste bins, payment equipment, drinks and serving items. Check the final quantities against the registered animal and participant counts at least 7 days before the fair.
How many cups and plates do I need for a rodent fair?: For reusable cups, coffee cups, plates and cutlery, plan one complete set per expected visitor or serving turn, plus 20% spare. For a fair with 100 visitors, that means at least 120 cups, 120 plates and 120 cutlery sets.
How much food and drink should I buy for a rodent fair?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every later hour. For coffee, tea and water, prepare at least 1.5 litres per 10 people per hour, with extra water available for animal care.
When should I prepare the rodent fair supplies?: Confirm animal-care supplies, enclosures and transport boxes at least 7 days beforehand. Buy drinks and disposable or reusable serving items 2 to 3 days before the fair, and test cash boxes, payment terminals, extension cords and lighting the day before.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.