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May 19, 2007 - 12:36 PM
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Company brings the party to kids

Sandra Paldino and Sharon Power know how it feels to be in the driver's seat of a fledgling business.
The Mississauga moms, both with children between ages six and 14, found themselves in the same dilemma year after year — what could they do to make their children's birthday parties unique and enjoyable?
When the idea came to them, they promptly translated it into a business plan.
“There was a time when birthday parties were held in the basement; nowadays, birthday parties are like weddings,” said Paldino. “We're event planners who take care of all the headaches to make the organizing painless.”
Theirs is not an average run-of-the-mill company, though. It's a "mobile party on wheels," with all the glamour and trimmings of a lavish set, and the only one of its kind in Ontario.
After starting the business, the duo purchased a trailer from a film production unit, renovated and added special touches to it and launched Hollywood Parties.
“We wanted different themes and different things for kids to do,” said Paldino. “What better than to put it all in a mobile unit and drive it to you? It wasn't just coming up with the idea of a trailer and renovating it into a party place, it was making sure that we got every element in there.”
The two-storey, 500-sq.-ft. trailer is equipped with a seven-foot wide movie screen, Nintendo and Playstation units, karaoke machines, a kitchen, storage and an area where girls can enjoy a salon day.
The dark-stained hardwood floor inside the trailer, the collapsable tables, flat screen television set and mirrored walls give it an aura of Hollywood glamour, something the partners were determined to incorporate.
The company can customize a party and take care of details such as deciding on a theme, invitations, food, loot bags and photography.
Paldino and Power say there's not much choice available for teenage boys when it comes to birthday parties, but their mobile party unit can easily accommodate 12 children to organize an electronic party or a Hollywood Magic Show or a Hockey party.
For girls, Hollywood Parties can organize an English Tea Party or a Salon Day that includes a hair and makeup session, dress-up, finger foods and a fashion show.
“Since we're parents ourselves, this whole thing stemmed from the fact that we kept thinking, 'what could we do or make that would blow everybody out of the water?'” said Power. “With Hollywood Parties, you don't have to clean up your home afterwards...it is painless. We do it all for you.”
Hollywood Parties also plans events for adults.
For more information, visit www.hollywoodparties.ca.
rpanjwani@mississauga.net

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