3. How far do you travel?
For the most part, I am in Virginia. I sometimes drive
or fly to
other parts of the country for corporate events. On
weekends, I am usually in Roanoke, and Christiansburg
Virginia. I also coordinate other performers whom I
recommend to cover other areas.
4. Do you charge a travel fee?
In the Roanoke Valley there is a $10 in-town travel fee. For all
other areas there is a Travel Fee, Please Visit the Pricing and Travel Fees
link for details.
5. Can we pick-up, set-up and
return inflatables?
Yes, and the cost is greatly reduced.
6. How long can we keep the
inflatables?
If you pick-up, set-up and return, you have one day.
If we deliver, it is within 2-4 hours.
7. How much are the inflatables?
A small inflatable ranges from $100-$300, a medium
inflatable ranges from $300-$400 and a large inflatable
ranges from $400-$600. The more you rent, the
better the price.
8. Are the inflatables insured?
If we deliver them, yes, if you pick them up, no. A
signed waiver is required when renting inflatables which
releases us from liability due to injury.
9. What do you do with balloon
deliveries?
We can make any occasion extra special with balloon
deliveries, your choice of the colors, type and
quantity. Add Ziggy The Clown as the Deliverer of
the balloons and get a Great 10 min performance!
See Balloon Deliveries Link for details.
10. When I book a show who does the performance?
As owner of the company, (aka: Head Clown) I always
perform my own character which is Ziggy The Clown, or as
Captain Jack Sparrow. When
I make arrangements for other performers for large
events or for times when I am not available, the
performers come as their own characters, with their own
professional shows and routines. The client always knows
in advance if I am personally performing or if other
entertainers will be there.
11. What do you do to entertain the kids?
I have a high-energy comedy show that keeps the kids
laughing with comedy routines using juggling, magic,
face painting, fun props, stilt walking and balloon
sculptures. I work hard to keep the kids enjoying every
minute and I change things based on what I think the
crowd might like at the moment. Although there are set
bits that I use for my shows, I also do a lot of comic
improvising based on the kids' reactions and comments.
12. Do you have different
costumes?
Yes, I have many costumes, and I can match the theme of
your event if needed. And if you're looking for a
unique costume I can even have them made and you would
be responsible for paying for the costume. I can
sometimes find them pre-made as well depending on the
costume you would be interested in.
13. What if my child is afraid of clowns?
Occasionally some children are timid around clowns when
they are in the two to three year old range. It has been
my experience in most of these cases that they warm-up
after seeing other children having fun. The best
is when they come in crying, then leave crying because
they don't want to leave! It is also possible
Charges for other performers vary
depending on the time, location and performers availability.
If you are planning a large event and need multiple
performers, I will work within your budget to find the
best people available. Gratuity for any performer is
optional.
17. What are special options you can do to
make a party even more special?
Helium balloons
for the guests, cotton
candy, popcorn,
as well as other concession equipment, and additional
performers like a face painter or
caricature artist who offer additional entertainment
are also popular. Also, stilt
walking is always a thrill for the
children. It's not often they get to see a 10
foot clown! And even inflatable,
interactive and carnival games!
18. What kind of experience do
you have?
Besides personally performing around 500 shows each
year, my Ziggy the Clown character is often
featured on cable television shows, and in numerous
newspaper articles each year. I am now a full-time
party entertainer, event planner, and clown.
19. Do you do any non-profit
work?
No, I'm sorry, at this time I only do fee-for-service
work. I perform as Ziggy The Clown full-time,
and need to support my growing family. But, I
will lower my pricing to help you with your budget if
you book a performance for at least 2 hours. If
you must have a clown that will not charge a fee try
calling the Kazim Shriner's as they will perform for
free to raise money for Children in the Hospital.
20. How long in advance do I need to book?
I often squeeze in a last minute party, even days
away, but it is always better to book ahead to get
your first choice for the date and time. Most people book
6-8 weeks in advance and some book me up to a
year away because they know my work and want to lock
me in for their event. If you know you will be having
a party, try to book the entertainment first before
locking in the date with your guests. This way you
will always have the most options with the most
flexibility. If I am already booked, I will help
arrange another professional performer.
21. How long can you perform
on stilts?
As long as you want me to!
22. Can you face paint on
stilts?
Yes, I use a small step ladder for the kids to climb up to
me, then I bend down enough to paint their faces.
23. Are face paints FDA
approved?
Yes, and Here are the Paints that I use:
Paradise Makeup by Mehron, Wolfe
Brothers, & Snazaroo
Visit www.tmyers.com
(or) www.sillyfarm.com
for product info. as these are my suppliers.
24. Can you perform multiple
events the same day at the same place?
Yes, and you only have to pay for my performance time.
You can have as many shows as you would like in
difference locations or the same location.
25. How many kids can Ziggy
entertain in an hour and a half?
I prefer fifteen and under for an hour and a half, for
more you should consider a longer show. The more
kids you have the more time it will take. With
more time you will get more magic, juggling and more
detailed balloons and face paintings, which means more
fun for everyone.
26. How do I book you or
another performer?
Just call or email me. After we confirm all the
details by phone or email, I typically require full
payment in advance, but if you are concerned by that
for any reason I will accept a 50% deposit due within
one week of our phone or email conversation booking
that event. The balance is due
on the date of the show or before, depending on the
situation. You can use a credit card, check, money
order or cash. Please do not mail cash! Checks
can be made to Aaron L. Clark and mailed to: Ziggy's
Entertainment 2116 12 O'Clock Knob Road, Salem, VA
24153.
Credit Cards are only accepted thru
Paypal at www.paypal.com
27. Why do you need a deposit?
As a professional performer, I turn down work every
day because it conflicts with a previous booking. A
deposit confirms the time, show date and your
commitment and prevents anyone else from taking your
time slot. A 50% deposit is due within one week of our
phone conversation. If another call comes in and
you have neglected to pay your deposit I will try to
contact you, but if I can't get in touch then your out
of luck and I'm going to book the other event and as
for your event if you are still interested we can find
another performer or cancel the event.
28. How do I pay with a credit card?
I use a secure outside company called PayPal to handle
all of my credit card needs. After setting up a simple
account with PayPal on a secured site, you can pay my
company by just clicking on "Pay A Vendor"
& typing in my email address, ziggytc@yahoo.com.
29. What is your cancellation policy?
All dates are considered definite at the time of phone
or email confirmation. If you are not sure of your
plans please ask me to "hold" a time for a
day or two while you confirm details. Once a time and
date is selected, all other jobs that come in will be
refused or planned around your party. I turn down jobs
every day due to prior commitments. In the case of
true emergencies (child in emergency room, etc.),
special arrangements will be made to reschedule
without penalty or loss of deposit. If you
reschedule the event, your deposit will be applied to
that event. If you cancel the event, a $40
cancellation fee will be charged, and the remainder of
your deposit will be refunded.
30. What about rain?
If you are planning an outdoor event, please have a
back up plan for rain. This could be as simple as a
tent on stand-by, or helpers ready to move the event
indoors or a secondary location. All events are
considered to be definite and are on rain or shine
unless specific arrangements are made at the time of
booking. If a rain date is necessary, additional
financial arrangements may be made to reserve two
dates at the initial booking. If your event gets
rained out during a performance, which seldom happens,
there will only be a small set-up fee.
31. What about snow?
In the rare case of a snow or ice storm forcing
cancellation or postponement, your event will be
rescheduled or cancelled without any financial
penalty.
32. What if you or another performer can't
make it after you are booked?
Please note that I take great pride in being a
professional. I organize my performance schedules to
arrive on time, plan driving routes, follow up on all
details a few days before a party, and plan ahead to
make sure every event is successful. I also choose to
work only with other dependable, experienced
performers who also have professional attitudes. My
company has grown tremendously every year because
parents and companies trust me and know that I am
reliable and professional. Most of my work comes from
people who have seen me perform, repeat clients who
hire me year after year and from others who
enthusiastically refer me to friends and family. I am
very proud of my reputation and take great efforts to
make sure every party is successful in every way.
In the rare, almost non-existent,
time that a performer can't make a show because of a
true weather, traffic or personal emergency, another
professional entertainer will be arranged. If this
is not possible or if the client prefers, the party
will be rescheduled, or a full refund given.
