*Foot Notes

So, you’re going to have a party. Now only one question remains: Will your party be one that friends will remember for years or one they would just as soon forget?

* Party planners and rental places offer all kinds of attractions that can enliven any gathering. Musicians, fortune tellers, moon bounces, carnival games, merry-go-rounds are all available, dependent only upon your budget. For example, a dunk tank (great for weeding out those so-called friends you didn’t want at next year’s party anyway) costs about $280, including delivery, set-up and removal.

* Dandy Don’s Ice Cream Sundae Bar Catering ([818] 994-0111) can provide ice cream sundaes for your party. Dandy Don’s ice cream, served at several area restaurants including Cafe Bizou, Maria’s Italian Kitchen and the Saddle Peak Lodge, is pre-scooped in disposable cups. Owner Don Whittemore recommends keeping it simple--vanilla, chocolate, nonfat sorbet--with a choice of as many as 35 toppings. Dandy Don’s award-winning ice cream for 50 guests costs about $300.

* Why risk having your brother-in-law’s garage band scaring away your friends? Keep the garage door closed and hire a deejay. Then you can dictate exactly what music will be played and how loud it will be. Steve Gauthier of the Vinyl Frontier ([800] 398-7161) says he has just about any kind of music you could want--rock, funk, soul, big band, Latin, Broadway tunes, whatever--at $400 for four hours.

* Hiring a bartender for your get-together will relieve you of the burden and set you free to socialize. Mark Faulkner of Hospitality Party Helpers ([310] 671-7900) says individual prices vary, but a professional mixologist usually charges about $22 per hour, with a five-hour minimum, plus gratuity. The bartender can consult with you beforehand regarding what and how much you’ll need to buy to stock the bar.