STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The parties are really getting started for Cheryl Farrell and Kristin Friscia — not that they ever ended on Staten Island, even in the pandemic. Their balloon and event-planning business K&C A Sweet Occasion has seen an uptick in orders this summer with cautious but festive customers.
Farrell lauds the borough’s hosts and hostesses who stuck to celebration commitments with drive-by birthdays and socially-distanced gatherings. Lawn parties still remain a popular way to carry on with milestones and Christenings, says Friscia.
Parties continue with family affairs at home. (Courtesy of A Sweet Occasion)
Through COVID-19, Farrell says, “We did a lot of stuff outside, especially with schools. If they were allowed to have graduations, they did it outside and it was nice. They kept on going if possible.”
The outdoors did present some complications for the seasoned balloon artists, but Farrell and Friscia rolled with it.
“We dealt with different kinds of weather, rain and heat. We started using PVC polls because the metal would heat up the balloons. And everyone’s been lovely,” says Farrell.
The tiny nursery celebration (Courtesy of A Sweet Occasion)
In late spring 2020, Farrell and Friscia designed a rainbow for their own family fete in Westerleigh.
Farrell giggled and said, “People called the police on us because we weren’t supposed to socialize. ‘What’s going on over here?’ the police said. It was the second grade. They couldn’t make communion. So we did a rainbow from one house to another house. All the cars from the class went under the rainbow. They were beeping and yelling and shouting.” She admits it was a sight as well as a good memory.
These days, K&C A Sweet Occasion is completely virtual. After 11 years in West Brighton on Forest Avenue, the partners do party planning online. The business specializes in Carlson Craft brand invitations. Patrons think they are mother and daughter but they’re actually bonded because Friscia’s long-time best friend is one of Farrell’s daughters.
Schools carry on with celebrations and get festive with balloon displays. (Courtesy of A Sweet Occasion)
“We miss our customers — seeing them. I do miss the personal contact with them, so does Kristin. It’s business as usual — the personalized candy bars and balloon sculptures,” says Farrell.
Kristin explains how business shifted to mostly online and over-the-phone interactions. She says, “No one was looking to come in anymore. We miss our neighbors. West Brighton is such a tight-knit community. When it snowed they helped shovel for us. It’s sad not being there but at the end of the day it’s the best thing for us.”
Good times for kids with an encouraging set of words (Courtesy of A Sweet Occasion)
“We go back and forth with colors and different designs,” says Farrell, adding, “But I have to tell you there’s nothing like having people in front of you. We’re hoping this other part of the pandemic goes away.”
Friscia says, “It’s been a rough year for everybody. It’s tough for the kids. It’s really sad and schools are trying to make it really nice for them as they start a new year.”
Feeling festive at Laila in Richmond Valley (Courtesy of A Sweet Occasion)
Farrell doesn’t let talk of COVID get her down. She says, “We can do this. If it comes back again. Who knows? We have to give it a shot. We have nothing to lose at this point.” And so long as there are parties, there is always A Sweet Occasion.
K&C A Sweet Occasion can be reached at 718-273-7707 or Asweetoccasion@verizon.net or through Facebook.
Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
A backyard affair in the pandemic on Staten Island (Courtesy of A Sweet Occasion)
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