Guests snacked on fairground favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, candy apples, funnel cake and fresh cotton candy. Snow cones were available in two variations: sugary for the kiddos, boozy for the adults. A caricature artist and a balloon maker were both big hits, but the highlight of the party was watching little ringmaster Ellis and his precocious peers dig into the elephant-themed cake by Annie’s Culinary Creations.

More than 50 friends and family attended the backyard bash. Balloon City USA hung arches throughout the house, leading guests from the front door to the main installation—a silver Mylar arrangement that read “Happy Birthday Ellis” above the swimming pool. The dozen or so children in attendance splashed around all afternoon and then dried off with towels customized with each of their names.