We're picky about event production and therefore spend hours on event details in the weeks prior to each event. It may not be obvious to our event guests. Actually, if we have done our job right, the pre-work should NOT be obvious. Guests should be able to simply show up and have a great time.

If you care to see behind the curtain of event planning, let us share a story with you.

Today, we did a location pre-check for our Halloween Silent Groove and Costume Contest event on October 24th. We not only scout our event locations months ahead of time, but also do a re-check prior to each event to ensure the location will meet the needs of our guests. One of the top amenities on the list is clean restrooms. In our site check today, we found that the Balboa Park location we were planning to use is currently doing bathroom remodels and therefore has only porta potties. Lys had the job of opening the porta potty door to check it out. Belle was watching from a distance. Let's just say that Lys's expression upon opening the porta potty door immediately conveyed that this location was a bust. Did we expect the porta potties to be fabulously clean and sparkling? I guess not. Nonetheless, we were disappointed. This location was a hit at one of our prior events, so we were loathe to give it up. We proceeded to check out other locations in Balboa Park, but none had the right mix of space, bathrooms and parking.

And, then we remembered a central San Diego park that had been recommended to us by someone at Goodby Silverstein. Civita Park. We took a drive to visit and were immediately pleased. Clean restrooms, flat grass, lots of parking, easy to get to. We think you'll love it too.

Best of all, no one will have to choose between keeping a Halloween costume clean and using the restroom.