Basketball Themed Bar Mitzvah Party In The Park

The Caparelli family celebrated son Austin Jack’s (A.J.) Bar Mitzvah ceremony at Temple Israel in Croton on Hudson, New York. Later that evening there was a party, with a nightclub feel, at The Law Park Pavilion. The theme was centered around A.J.’s favorite NBA team the Oklahoma City Thunder. Initially A.J. was concerned about having his Bar Mitzvah at this unique location but everyone loved the different feel this Bar Mitzvah celebration had and how it was catered using food trucks!  

Pictured L-R at the service: Dad Chris, Mom Rorie, Bar Mitzvah boy AJ, Sister Reese and Brother Hunter.

Harry Quiroga Photography was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of the spotlight.

Bar Mitzvah Style

Guests were asked to wear their favorite basketball Jersey to go along with the OKC Thunder theme. A.J.’s mom and sister wore Jersey’s that were turned into dresses and even A.J.'s grandparents embraced the basketball style!

The back of the Jersey's were personalized at the NBA store

A.J. and Hunter giving Reese a lift

Bar Mitzvah Venue and Decor

The party was held in Briarcliff Manor on the grounds of The Law Park Pavilion

The inside of the Pavilion was festive with balloons, high top tables and lounge furniture

There was also a great DJ set up and dance floor

 Bar Mitzvah Logos

A.J.'s two logos were designed by his grandmother Marian Pinkman, who is a freelance artist

The logo's were used throughout the party, on the invitation and favors

Bar Mitzvah DJ and Entertainment

A.J.'s guests loved wearing their Jersey's and dancing to great music

The dancers from Party Harty Entertainment with the family

A.J. up in the chair!

Pop A Shot fit in with the basketball theme

There were also lots of other interactive games brought in to entertain guests of all ages

 Special Party Details 

The sign-in board and gift card basket

Sister Reese, Bar Mitzvah boy A.J. and Ginger who was happy to be part of the celebration!

A.J.'s invitation had a basketball border and featured his logo on top

A.J. felt all of his friends had so many Mitzvah sweatshirts and chose to do towels since his Bar Mitzvah was in June

 Bar Mitzvah Food

The family used a few food trucks to cater the event. Here is the popular truck, "Put Some Meat On Your Bones" specializing in grilled cheese. What a great idea!

DoughNation, a caterer of mobile wood-fired pizza set up shop in front of their truck

This pizza truck is famous in the area for it's perfect Neapolitan pizza topped with local ingredients from a 900° wood-burning oven!

And of course you need ice cream from delicious Bona Bona!

A.J.’s Bar Mitzvah Project

A.J. did a few different Mitzvah projects, one with the Special Olympics, a polar plunge as well as a basketball instruction camp for a day, and he also did a midnight run with Temple Israel and he raised money and participated with his friends in a JDRF walk to support their friend who was diagnosed with the disease.

Some Advice from Mom Rorie:

“The food trucks were very popular and the kids all got to eat food that they loved. Since we were having the party outside in a park, it was a great idea to have bracelets made for our guests so the food trucks knew who to serve.”

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make A.J.’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: Briarcliff Manor Pool Pavilion, 914-488-2115
Party Planner: Andrea Gottschall, 914-260-7837
Photographer: Harry Quiroga Photography
Music Entertainment/Videographer: MC Evan, Party Harty Entertainment, 516-845-8585
Grilled Cheese Truck: Put Some Meat On Your Bones, 914-391-5527
Wood Burning Pizza Truck: Dough Nation, 914-305-2336
Greek Food Truck: Gyro Uno, 914-906-1444
Hot Dog Truck: Walter’s Hot Dog Truck, 914-400-3164
Bona Bona Ice Cream Truck: 914-732-3024
Cocktail Hour Caterer/Bartender: Tony Fortunate,105 Ten Bar and Grill, 914-236-3651
Lounge Furniture: AFR Furniture Rental, 201-974-3700
Tents: Cartwright and Daughters, 845-225-9200
Favors: Neal, TJ Promotions, 516-655-1094
Invitation: Andrea Kronethal, Small Fry Press, 914-747-6668 
Décor/Sign-In/Gift Box: Billy, Brian William Event Decorator, 845-628-0614
Logo Design: Grandmother/freelance artist Marian Pickman, 212-348-0495 
Personalized Jerseys: NBA Store, 212-457-3120 
Dresses: Lyn Kohls turned NBA jerseys into dresses, 973-467-7800
Suits for Service: Lubins of Westchester, 914-713-0300
Hair: Kim Flood, Nu’Me, 914-762-1122
Party Makeup Artist: Laura Melissa Scalere, 914-438-8018
Security: Joy, Bar Mitzvah Bouncer, 973-758-9800, 631-367-1519