Event in a tent gaining in popularity
When Jerry and Pam Cartwright started their Putnam County catering business in the 1970s, it proved a lot of work beyond the food. Much of the time, someone was asking if they could “bring a table, some chairs ”“ or maybe a tent.” The Cartwrights soon switched gears, turning their catering business into a tent and party rental service. They started their new business in 1981 and they”™ve been on a canvas-themed roll ever since.
Their three daughters, Tracey, Laura and Jill, who grew up surrounded by tents, tables and all the accessories that are a must when you are having a party, are now grown-up women with families of their own as dedicated to the business as their parents are.
“Our new brochure is huge,” said Jill. “We have everything anyone could possibly need for a party ”“ portable kitchens, refrigeration, dance floors, you name it. And that”™s just the beginning. Of course, we have the tents; our largest is 80”™ x 120”™, which can hold up to 800 people, but we also can connect several tents ”“ one might have a carving station, another a gift area if it is a bridal or baby shower, and then another for a formal dinner and dance. Our customers tell us what they want to create, and we make it happen.”
The joy of a tented event, say the sisters, is being able to give  the client the opportunity to  custom-design their party and work within a set budget. “You can be as frugal or as extravagant as you want to be,” said Tracey. “Our showroom is set up to show a variety of possibilities, from upscale and elegant with crystal and china to one that is ”˜unbreakable”™ but beautiful.”
The Cartwrights say it”™s a pleasure to find themselves catering for the next generation of their parents”™ customers. “Many of the people who use us are the children or grandchildren of parents who had hired our parents for their wedding.”
The women say they have a great group of core employees and have many who come back every summer to work the many events they put together from Greenwich to Rhinebeck. “Since we are right in the heart of Carmel, we can be very flexible in where we can do an event.”
The Cartwrights also own “Just for Fun Entertainment,” which focuses exclusively on the younger set; no age group is left behind when it comes to a tent event. Face painters, clowns and blow-up rides can make the party complete-depending on the family budget.
“Wedding”™s have definitely picked up during the recession,” said Laura. “But because the fourth ”˜Twilight”™ movie had a tented wedding, we are expecting to see more people looking at our service because it is out of the ordinary. Some couples prefer a hall that can do it all for them. Others would rather plan it themselves. It”™s really up to the individual.”
Cartwright and Daughters Tents & Events is building a new warehouse that will complement the business”™s existing one. “We”™ve just run out of room, but we”™re not complaining,” said the sister act.
Businesses are taking advantage of holding corporate events in tents, too, said the Cartwrights, and they”™ve introduced a new concept to their offerings ”“ the strolling table. “Yes, it literally walks around, with me in the middle of it,” laughed Laura. “It”™s very popular in the city and at parties, so we”™ve incorporated the idea. People seem to get a kick out of it, and it really can be a lot of fun.”
Although the Cartwrights say it is easy to lose track of just how many events the family-owned business has handled over the last 30 years, a few were really touching and memorable.
“One husband ordered a small tent, with a complete set up for dinner, decorated with flowers and hearts. It was a Valentine”™s Day surprise for his wife, and we served them dinner in it,” said the sisters. “It doesn”™t get more romantic than that.”