Schools and Corporate Events Drive Demand for Large Attractions

Avon, United States – May 25, 2026 / Moonwalks & More /

Summer festivals, company picnics, school carnivals, and community celebrations across Central Indiana are becoming noticeably more interactive as organizers place greater emphasis on attractions that encourage participation rather than passive entertainment.

Instead of relying primarily on music stages, food vendors, or scattered activities, many large events are increasingly centered around interactive attractions designed to keep guests engaged throughout the day. Obstacle courses, inflatable games, climbing attractions, and large-scale competitive activities are becoming some of the most requested categories for summer festivals, school events, and corporate outings entering the 2026 season.

The shift reflects broader changes in how guests experience public events. Families, employees, and community attendees are increasingly looking for attractions that create movement, interaction, and shared experiences rather than activities built entirely around spectating.

Jim Sarkine, owner of Moonwalks and More, said organizers are placing far more emphasis on guest participation and energy than they did even a few years ago.

“Five or ten years ago, most events were planned around things people watched,” Jim said. “Now the attractions drawing the biggest crowds are usually the ones people can physically participate in together — obstacle courses, interactive games, climbing attractions, and experiences that keep groups engaged instead of standing on the sidelines.”

Guests Increasingly Expect Participation Over Spectating

Interactive obstacle courses have become especially popular because they naturally create competition, movement, and crowd interaction across multiple age groups. Organizers are increasingly using larger interactive attractions as focal points within events rather than treating them as secondary entertainment.

That growing demand has also increased awareness around setup and planning considerations that many organizers overlook when renting large attractions for festivals or community events. Spacing, visibility, crowd movement, and participant throughput can significantly impact how guests experience the event overall. Moonwalks and More recently outlined several of the most common setup issues organizers encounter when planning obstacle course rentals for festivals and large events.

Obstacle Courses for Large Events

“The expectation level has changed significantly,” Jim added. “Families attend professional sporting events, festivals, fairs, and large public gatherings throughout the year, so local events are naturally evolving too. Organizers want guests interacting with the event instead of simply walking through it.”

The trend is particularly visible during late spring and summer when school celebrations, employee appreciation events, church festivals, and public gatherings compete for attendance and attention during a compressed event season.

As a result, many organizers are focusing less on isolated attractions and more on creating event environments that feel energetic, immersive, and memorable from the moment guests arrive.