7 Fresh Decor and Activity Ideas for a Carnival-Theme Event | BizBash

Brick-and-mortar stores these days are working to emphasize their experiential offerings as a way to compete with online shopping, and Bethesda Row is no exception to that trend. The upscale retail and residence center revamped and renamed Front Row, its annual fashion show, with a fashion-themed carnival.

Held on June 10, the Bethesda Row Fashion Carnival, which took place on Bethesda Lane, included several activations including lip-print readings with a “lipsologist,” a bracelet toss that offered a bracelet as a prize, temporary tattooing, a sketch artist who drew fashion-oriented pictures—including of guests’ pets—and more.

The event brought in more than 600 attendees, and 30 retailers and restaurants participated. BrandLinkDC, in partnership with Bethesda Row, a Federal Realty Investment Trust property, served as the producer.

“We changed the format of the event this year to continue to emphasize experiences for everyone from kids to adults,” said Danielle Bolger, assistant marketing manager at Federal Realty Investment Trust. “Bethesda Row has become a destination for more than just shopping and dining. Throughout the year we host experiential events that involve our retailers and the community.”

She continued, “Bethesda Row retailers were eager to participate in the Fashion Carnival. They recognized it as a unique way to interact with customers, whether they staged an activation like the popcorn stand from Mamma Lucia [a restaurant] or hosted in-store promotions like Sassanova [a boutique] did.”

A total of 30 retailers and restaurants participated in the Fashion Carnival.

A total of 30 retailers and restaurants participated in the Fashion Carnival.

Photo: Courtesy of Bethesda Front Row

A colorful entrance to the Fashion Carnival set the tone for the event's theme.

A colorful entrance to the Fashion Carnival set the tone for the event's theme.

Photo: Courtesy of Bethesda Front Row

Temporary, or 'flash' tattoos of bracelets, necklaces, feathers, bees, bohemian designs, and more were available.

Temporary, or "flash" tattoos of bracelets, necklaces, feathers, bees, bohemian designs, and more were available.

Photo: Courtesy of Bethesda Front Row

Hair braiding, done by UrbanStems, incorporated fresh flowers.

Hair braiding, done by UrbanStems, incorporated fresh flowers.

Photo: Courtesy of Bethesda Front Row

Bracelet Toss participants stood behind a barrier and tossed a Kendra Scott bracelet three times to try to land it inside boxes arrayed on a table. Anyone who made it in twice won a bracelet.

Bracelet Toss participants stood behind a barrier and tossed a Kendra Scott bracelet three times to try to land it inside boxes arrayed on a table. Anyone who made it in twice won a bracelet.

Photo: Courtesy of Bethesda Front Row

In another activity, people applied lipstick and kissed one of the Bethesda Row Fashion Carnival kiss cards twice, leaving behind their lip prints.

In another activity, people applied lipstick and kissed one of the Bethesda Row Fashion Carnival kiss cards twice, leaving behind their lip prints.

Photo: Courtesy of Bethesda Front Row

Ariana Lightningstorm—one of only seven registered lipsologists in the world—then read what guests' lip prints said about their personalities.

Ariana Lightningstorm—one of only seven registered lipsologists in the world—then read what guests' lip prints said about their personalities.

Photo: Courtesy of Bethesda Front Row

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