Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

This tablescape was designed for a play date to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday and support Read Across America.  My sweet friend hosted this event for her son, who absolutely loves his Dr. Seuss books.  The main theme for the table was taken from his favorite book, If I Ran the Circus.  Guests nibbled on tradition circus fare such as popcorn and cotton candy, but also indulged in themed treats such as Cat in the Hat push pops and One Fish, Two Fish Cupcakes.  
    It was the perfect day for the kids to play outdoors. They spent hours chasing each other through the field of grass behind the house and playing festive outdoor games such as croquet and a circus themed bag toss game.  After a fun filled afternoon, each child went home with his/her very own Dr. Seuss book.  It was a wonderful day filled with excitement.  I hope that my fellow teachers had an equally exciting day with their students as they celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday and promoted a love for reading in their students. 

Menu:
One Fish, Two Fish Cupcakes (vegan cupcakes topped with red gummy fish)
Go, Dog. Go! Hot Dogs (croissant covered mini hot dogs)
Truffula Fruit
Circus McGurkus Cotton Candy 
Cat in the Hat Push Pops (layers of sliced strawberries and homemade whip cream)
Circus Buttered Popcorn

Get the Look:

Tablecloth: white and royal blue vinyl tablecloths for easy clean up.
Seussville Sign: painted dowel with attached card stock signs and 
circus tent.
Vases: made by gluing two red cups together (bottom to bottom), 
covering the seam with card stock, and filling the top cup with black beans, chenille pipe cleaner "stems", and flowers with illustrations from the Dr. Seuss book If I Ran the Circus.
Cotton candy and push pop stands: gift boxes and styrofoam rectangles covered with red wrapping paper, polka dot and striped card stock, paper fans and clip art.
Cotton candy containers: clear containers filled with homemade colored rice (green, blue and pink); cotton candy cones cut from card stock.
Popcorn boxes: purchased on Amazon. 
Juice boxes: boxes were covered with striped card stock then wrapped with a strip of polka dot paper.  The book cover was used on the center of each box and served with a silly straw attached to the side.
Backdrop: the backdrop for the table incorporated the family's existing decor, which included a Dr. Seuss calendar and a beautiful shelving unit used to display several classic Dr. Seuss books.  Card stock balloon cutouts with ribbon strings were hung on the right side of the unit.