There's no question about it... To PARTY - That is the Answer! Our early parties were simple. Very few decorations and only about 10 people. By 2000, we were starting to get a little more into decorating, and we had a few more people show up. By 2005, we were decorating the entire house, including the walls and ceiling, and averaging 50 - 60 guests. In 2006 we built our first facade (in addition to all of the inside decorating AND a 7-room haunted garage), and our attendance doubled, jumping to 120. Last year we built the PIRATE SHIP FACADE (for sale), and had 140 people show up. It would seem that the more effort you put into your invitations (ours are now a 6-page newsletter), food, decorations, facade, etc, the more people you will get to show up. I guess it's true... "If You Build It, They Will Come".
PS: Last year's 140 people included 15 staff: 2 hosts, 4 co-hosts, 3 bartenders, 1 food passer, 1 psychic, 2 assistants to the psychic, and 2 photographers. We also had 2 babysitters next door with 7 of our guests' kids, so technically, our total count was 149 people.
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