There was only one rule for Davis Goodman’s Bar Mitzvah party: Play Like a Champion Today. A lifelong generational Notre Dame fan, the school’s famous motto highlighted exactly how Davis and his family wanted the big day to feel…a day to showcase Davis’ accomplishments and pride. With this in mind, coupled with Davis’ love for the sport of hockey, Melisa Imberman and her team at The Event of a Lifetime got started planning the perfect party for the Bar Mitzvah boy.
A love for Notre Dame so large needed a venue to match, and Melisa knew an indoor sports facility was the perfect blank canvas she needed to set it all up.
The once barren gymnasium and field were unrecognizable by the time the party started, completely transformed into an eye-popping venue covered in Notre Dame’s iconic blue and gold color scheme.
As guests arrived, they were greeted with in-theme banners and signs welcoming them to the party. Further in, they found their table placements in front of a life-size cutout of Davis in his goalie uniform. For a unique spin, guests signed a customized sign-in locker, letting everyone know that the “big game” was about to begin!
For cocktail hour, there was no better way to celebrate than with a classic college tailgate on one of the venue’s indoor turf fields. This tailgate was complete with branded tents, tables, and chairs that energized and excited the crowd. No matter if guests were drinking, playing games, or partying, they knew to do so with a champion’s mindset!
While guests enjoyed an elevated version of tailgate barbecue, games of cornhole, can jam, spike ball and more brought the backyard party vibe to a whole new level.
Finally, the warmups were done and it was time for the big game to start. Guests grabbed their branded rally towels and headed to the dance floor where they were reminded to “Dance like a Champion Today”. As Davis stormed the rink in his grand entrance, his fans and friends cheered on their #1 player.
As the party raged on, guests stayed entertained with a magician, a Lidz shop making customized hats, airbrush tattoos and Insta Tatts mobile skin printing, a personalized photobooth, and a live goalie to test their hockey skills against. Purveyors could take a break in the penalty box lounge, a VIP area with bleachers, food, and drinks.
The centerpieces wowed as they brought the theme of an elevated arena to life with on-point branding, attention to details, and high class elements.
At the end of the night, partygoers went home with Davis and Notre Dame themed sweatshirts, backpacks, trucker hats, beanies and more! Davis even got the chance to shoot his own party swag into the crowd with a T-shirt cannon, solidifying him as MVP of the night.
To refuel, everyone picked up branded water and Gatorade and made their way to the gourmet doughnut truck waiting outside.
With The Event of a Lifetime on his team, Davis and his family knew without a doubt that that everyone partied like a champion that night.
Photography by: Chad David Kraus
