How We Transformed a Business Parking Lot in Colton into an Amazing Company Picnic for GATX with Food & Family Fun

Expert company picnic planning in Colton, CA—transforming business parking lots into full-service Employee events with catering, field games, and entertainment.

We had the pleasure of planning an all-inclusive company picnic right in a business parking lot in Colton for GATX, producing a full-scale experience for 200 attendees. The event featured our expert on-site catering, interactive entertainment for all ages, and team-building field games alongside airbrush artists and balloon twisters. Every detail — from tables and chairs to sound, staging, and setup — was handled by our crew. It was a complete production right in their own parking lot, delivering more bang for their budget and a flawless guest experience from start to finish.

Welcome Booth & Entry Arch

First Impressions Done Right — Organized, Branded, and Professional

Guests entered through an inflatable entry arch that immediately defined the event space and set the tone for the day. The arch featured a large printed banner reading “GATX Harvest Fair” — a nod to the fall season.

A staffed welcome booth at the main entrance provided check-in support and directed guests toward the dining and activity zones. The setup was clean, branded, and functional — proof that even a standard business parking lot can feel like a coordinated venue when handled by an experienced production team.

From the custom signage to the booth layout and traffic flow design, every detail reflected Interact Event Productions’ expertise in transforming outdoor workspaces into polished, professional event environments.

Catering Setup, Presentation, and Service

On-Site Kitchen • Branded Tents • Fast Throughput • Friendly Team

Our crew brought full-scale catering directly onto the GATX property, operating from our proprietary on-site kitchen system engineered for speed, flavor, and consistency. Under a row of branded food service tents, our uniformed grill team kept the buffet lines moving smoothly while the air filled with the scent of freshly grilled Angus beef burgers and all-beef hot dogs.

Each station was organized for maximum efficiency — from grill-to-bun burger service to a crisp garden-salad bar and dedicated beverage station — ensuring quick throughput for all 200 guests. Off to the side, a fresh condiment bar allowed guests to top their burgers and hot dogs at their own pace, eliminating bottlenecks and keeping the main line clear.

Our friendly, efficient servers maintained spotless service areas, handled refills, and kept the flow relaxed and enjoyable. It was a seamless, professional operation that combined quality, organization, and presentation — the hallmark of every Interact Event Productions company picnic.

Catering Menu

Our Economy Catering Package – a Full Flavor Experience Under $20 a Head

For the GATX Company Picnic, our Economy BBQ Catering Package delivered a complete, budget-friendly meal service prepared fresh on-site. Everything was grilled and served from our proprietary kitchen system under branded tents, with our professional catering crew managing service flow, cleanliness, and presentation from start to finish.

What’s Included

• 1/3 lb. Angus Beef Burgers grilled on-site and served fresh from the bun line.
• All-Beef Hot Dogs cooked to perfection with that classic backyard flavor.
• Three-Bean BBQ Baked Beans (Vegan + Gluten-Free) – hearty, smoky, and flavorful.
• Mixed Green Garden Salad with crisp vegetables, assorted dressings, and toppings.
• Deluxe Condiment Station positioned outside the buffet line with chili, cheese, onions, relish, sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, and pickles — allowing guests to customize freely without slowing service.

​This all-inclusive BBQ catering package, priced at under $20 per guest, gave GATX employees and their families a full-flavor backyard picnic experience right at their Colton facility — great food, smooth service, and unbeatable value.

Beverages

Always Cold, Always Filled.

Cold drinks were available all day at our satellite beverage station, stocked with fresh lemonade, sweet tea, and filtered water — plus plenty of ice and cups to keep service moving. Our team never skips a beat — always organized, efficient, and fully staffed — allowing guests to hydrate between field games or during lunch service without slowing down the fun.

Clean, simple, and steady — exactly the kind of beverage service that keeps our events running smooth from the first pour to the last cup.

Field Games Engineered for Company Picnics Adaptable to Parking Lot Surfaces

Deluxe Field Games – Structured, Safe, and Built for Real Participation

The Deluxe Field Games setup transformed the GATX parking lot into a professional competition zone — fully flagged for safety, backed by surround sound, and framed with our custom XTreme Competition Zone backdrop and presentation stage for team photos and prizes.

Our hosts and game leaders drove the action with the kind of energy and quick humor that keeps people involved. Their style isn’t scripted — it’s interactive, funny, and perfectly timed to pull guests in without pressure. Whether someone was competing in Cup Stack or taking aim in Frisbee Golf, participation came naturally because the atmosphere was relaxed, upbeat, and easy to join.

Every rotation ran on schedule, with music, commentary, and clear transitions from one challenge to the next. The pacing kept things organized while still feeling spontaneous — the result of decades of experience running structured field games in every type of space, including parking lots.
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It’s fast, focused, and entertaining — the kind of setup that makes employees want to stay in the zone until the very end.

Interactive Maze Challenge

Zombie Tap Reaction Attraction — Inside the 30x30 MEGA Maze Arena

A major highlight of the GATX Company Picnic was the Zombie Tap Reaction Attraction, set inside our 30x30 MEGA Maze Arena. Guests stepped into a fully enclosed inflatable maze glowing with LED lighting, sound effects, and illuminated tap targets that activated in random sequences.

Participants raced against the clock — and one another — to strike each light as quickly as possible before the timer hit zero. The pace built steadily with each round, turning the arena into an adrenaline-driven experience that drew continuous engagement from start to finish.

The setup works perfectly on flat asphalt surfaces, making it ideal for parking lot events like this one. Compact yet visually striking, it delivered all the energy of a full-scale interactive arena in a footprint that fit right beside the catering and game zones.

Kids Entertainment for Company Picnics

Bounce Houses and Play Zones Designed for Ages 2–8

For younger guests, we built a dedicated Kids Zone right alongside the main event area — easy for parents to watch and safe for kids to explore. The setup included our Sports Combo Bounce House and Circus Train Crawl-Through, two of our most popular attractions for ages 2–8.

The Sports Combo Bouncer blended light competition with plenty of open space for active play, while the Circus Train Crawl-Through gave toddlers a colorful, themed adventure of their own. Both units were secured, supervised, and rotated throughout the day for fresh groups of excited kids.
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This zone kept families close to the action without overwhelming the main field area — a perfect balance of fun and safety. Every piece was selected for steady flow, visibility, and that classic company picnic atmosphere where employees can relax while their kids play within view.

Adult Games and Social Entertainment

Casual Competition and Lounge-Style Fun

Not every game needs a referee. While the team building field games kept the energy high, the Adult Game Area offered laid-back entertainment where guests could relax, socialize, and play at their own pace.

This setup included Cornhole and Giant Jenga — two proven company picnic staples that fit perfectly in a parking lot venue. Both games ran continuously throughout the day, drawing friendly rivalries and quick laughs between rounds of food and field challenges.

The space stayed open, easy to access, and positioned close enough to the main activity zone to keep guests connected to the event’s energy while enjoying some downtime. It’s the kind of setup that makes a corporate picnic feel complete — balanced, inclusive, and always in motion.

Fun Foods and Interactive Artists

Tangible Keepsakes and Hands-On Experiences Guests Remember

Beyond the food and games, guests enjoyed a full lineup of interactive entertainment that added a personal touch to the day. Our airbrush artist stayed busy creating custom temporary tattoos and face designs, while the balloon twister worked the crowd under a shaded umbrella, crafting animals and creations that doubled as photo props and keepsakes for kids and adults alike.

Just steps away, the Fun Foods Station brought a sweet finish to the day with fresh-popped popcorn, shaved ice, and strawberry funnel cakes — all prepared on-site and served hot and fresh. The scent of funnel cakes and popcorn carried through the event, pulling guests back between activities and keeping the energy light and festive.
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Each element was tangible, interactive, and designed to leave a lasting impression — the kind of small, personal moments that turn a company picnic into something employees talk about long after the tents come down.

Tables, Chairs, and Guest Comfort

Strategic Layout and In-House Equipment for Seamless Service

Every element of the guest area was handled in-house — from seating and tables to the shaded comfort layout that tied the entire event together. Our team supplied and positioned all 60" round tables, folding chairs, and market umbrellas, creating a comfortable space where employees and families could sit, eat, and stay connected to the action.

Seating was placed with intention — close enough to the buffet and entertainment zones for visibility and flow, but spaced for easy movement and conversation. Each table was covered in our custom-fit table covers, fitted to prevent wind lift and maintain a clean, uniform presentation across the lot.
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Because it’s all our equipment — owned, managed, and transported by our crew — everything arrived on time, matched perfectly, and was coordinated under one plan. No outside vendors, no guesswork, and no mismatched setups — just one organized production from start to finish.

Parking Lot Company Picnic Expertise

Company picnics on Saturdays are often the most expensive to produce — parks, pavilions, and rental venues all charge weekend premiums and limit access hours. By keeping their event on-site, GATX avoided those costs entirely.

Our team transformed the company’s business parking lot in Colton, CA into a complete picnic venue — with catering tents, entertainment zones, seating areas, and power distribution all organized within a clean, professional layout. Every element was handled in-house, from the generators and flagging to food service and sound.
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This format delivered the same high-quality experience as a park venue, but without the added permit fees, travel coordination, or time restrictions. It’s what makes on-site company picnics one of the most affordable and convenient options for employee appreciation events, especially for weekend schedules.

Event-Day Walk-Through Video

This video provides an event-day walk-through of the company picnic as it was set up and operating on site. It offers a practical look at the parking lot layout, activity placement, catering flow, and overall footprint, serving as a visual reference for how this event was configured in a working business environment.

Parking Lot Company Picnic Case Studies

Proven On-Site Production for Corporate Clients Across SoCal

​We’ve produced company picnics directly on our clients’ business parking lots -- transforming everyday spaces into fully functional event venues with catering, entertainment, and guest comfort handled start to finish by one team.

​Fluor Company – Long Beach, CA: 
​Company picnic produced in their business parking lot with full-service catering, adult picnic activities, and a dunk tank centerpiece.
Read the full event recap →

​ESL – Corona, CA
Affordable corporate picnic hosted on-site with catering, sports games, face painting, and complete seating setup with tables and chairs.
Read the full event recap →

We Make Company Picnics Affordable Again — Right at Your Place of Business!

One Vendor. One Price. No Hassles — Just a Great Experience.

Full-service, all-inclusive company picnic planning handled entirely in-house — catering, entertainment, seating, and logistics all managed by one professional team. From business parking lots to corporate campuses, we transform your space into a fully functional event venue that delivers more value and less stress.

Call 888-788-1233 or fill out the quote form below to connect with our team and start planning an affordable, turnkey company picnic built around your space, guests, and goals.