Happy Hippo Shaved Ice FAQs: Booking, Pricing & Event Details in Prince George’s County and the DMV
Everything you need to know about booking our shaved ice bus, ice cream, mini donuts and bubble fun for events across Prince George’s County, Maryland, DC and Virginia.
Before the fun begins
Tap a question below for a quick answer. If your event is a little different, send us the details and we’ll help you figure out the best fit.
Why Happy Hippo
Why book Happy Hippo shaved ice
Most ice trucks have you fill out a request, then wait for someone to call back with a price. We just show you.
Your price, right now
Enter your date, address and headcount. Our booking form shows your full price, including travel and selected add-ons, before you submit. No waiting for a callback.
No surprises
You’ll see the cost upfront. We review every booking and confirm your date with you. Once it’s confirmed, your price is locked.
Local, not a franchise
We’re a family-owned business based in Beltsville, serving the DMV since 2018. The people you book with are the people who show up.
View your price before submitting your booking request. Booking dates are subject to confirmation.
First things first
Booking Happy Hippo and pricing
Dates, availability and getting your celebration on our calendar.
What kinds of events can I book Happy Hippo for?
Schools and daycares (field days, camps, reward days, staff appreciation, PTA and PTO nights), corporate events, birthdays, graduations, weddings, holiday parties, fundraisers, festivals, community events and plenty more.
How do I book Happy Hippo?
Start on our booking page. Enter your event date, address and estimated headcount, then choose your event type, treats and any extras. You’ll see your full price right away, with travel and add-ons included, before you submit. We review every booking and confirm your date with you.
Do I have to wait for someone to send me a quote?
No waiting. Our booking form shows your full price as soon as you enter your date, address, headcount and selections. Travel and add-ons are included, so there are no surprise fees later. We review your booking to confirm the date, and once it’s confirmed, your price is locked.
Which experience is right for my event?
The booking form sizes your order to your event type and expected crowd. Schools and daycares can choose 100, 200 or 300 servings. Company events and birthdays are sized by guest count, for smaller or bigger groups. Festivals and community events can be host-sponsored, or guests can buy their own treats.
How far in advance should I book?
The earlier, the better, especially for weekends, warm-weather dates and larger celebrations.
Schools: book spring field days between January and March. April through June dates go fast. Holiday parties: mid-December weekdays fill first. Cotton candy needs at least two weeks’ notice.
Can I book Happy Hippo for a last-minute event?
If we have availability, absolutely. Start a booking on our booking page, or call us at (301) 304-6640 for very short-notice dates.
What area does Happy Hippo serve?
We’re based in Beltsville in Prince George’s County and serve events across Maryland, DC and Virginia. Events in our home zone have no travel fee. Outside it, the booking form adds any travel cost to your price before you submit, so you’ll always see it upfront.
Meet Happy Hippo
Happy Hippo credentials and approved vendor status
Our credentials and vendor approvals help families, schools, organizations and government agencies book with confidence.
Is Happy Hippo licensed, insured and food-safety certified?
Yes. Happy Hippo is licensed, insured and ServSafe Certified.
Is Happy Hippo a Maryland Certified Small Business?
Yes. Happy Hippo LLC is a Maryland Certified Small Business in the state’s Small Business Reserve program and a registered vendor with the State of Maryland through eMMA (eMaryland Marketplace Advantage).
Is Happy Hippo an approved vendor for schools and local government?
Yes. Happy Hippo LLC is an approved vendor with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), Prince George’s County Government and the Howard County Public School System.
Do you accept purchase orders?
Yes. Choose the school event type when you book and let us know you’ll be paying by purchase order. We can provide a W-9, certificate of insurance and allergen information on request. Email bookings@happy-hippo.fun.
Do you offer school-year partnerships?
Yes. Schools can prepay a block of events for the year and redeem one per event with the school’s code. It’s an easy way to plan field days, reward days and celebrations from one budget.
Are you a franchise?
No. Happy Hippo is a local, family-owned business based in Beltsville, serving the DMV since 2018. The people you book with are the people who show up.
Tell us about your event
Choosing your shaved ice setup
Tell us about your event and venue. We’ll determine the setup that fits best.
Do I need to know which setup my event needs?
Nope. You don’t need to choose a bus, kiosk or cart. When you book, tell us your venue, event type, guest count, available space and whether you’ll be indoors or outdoors. We’ll choose the Happy Hippo setup that fits your event best.
What’s the difference between the bus and kiosk setups?
The Safari Bus is our signature mobile setup, great for parking lots, blacktops, parks and driveways. Our Shaved Ice Kiosk and cart setups go where a bus can’t, like cafeterias, gyms, office lobbies and other indoor venues.
Can Happy Hippo set up indoors?
Yes. Our Shaved Ice Kiosk is designed for indoor spaces like cafeterias, gyms, offices and event halls. Our Mini Donut Party works indoors and outdoors, too.
Do you need to see where we’ll be setting up?
Yes. After you book, we’ll ask you to send a photo of your setup area. It helps us confirm the right setup and plan for access before we arrive.
For the most helpful photo, stand back far enough to show the spot where we’ll serve plus the space around it: how we’ll get in (driveways, gates, doors or entryways), where we can park or unload, and how much room we’ll have to work with. If something isn’t visible in the photo, like stairs, narrow doorways or a long walk from parking, just let us know.
Can you come to a park, school, backyard or apartment complex?
Yes, as long as there’s room for the setup. Tell us about the venue when you book. The setup photo you send after booking helps us bring the right equipment.
The cool stuff
Shaved ice flavors and allergy information
Sweet, colorful and made to be mixed your way.
What shaved ice flavors do you have?
Our shaved ice flavor lineup includes the favorites below, with sugar-free options available.
Can guests mix more than one flavor?
Absolutely. Mix, match and experiment. That’s half the fun.
What if one of my guests has a food allergy?
Our Nutrition & Allergens page lists the ingredients for every treat. For any other ingredient or allergy questions, contact us before your event and we’ll share what’s available for the items you’re serving.
Bring on the extras
Ice cream, mini donuts, cotton candy, foam and bubbles
Shaved ice can be just the beginning.
What comes with the scooped ice cream option?
When added to a shaved ice or mini donut experience, our scooped ice cream add-on includes 20 servings and a full toppings bar.
What comes with the mini donut option?
Mini donuts include 60 servings, with six mini donuts in each serving. You can choose from a selection of flavors.
Hot cocoa and hot apple cider can also be added for an extra cozy touch, especially for fall and winter events.
Do you offer cotton candy?
Yes. Cotton candy is available as an add-on when you book at least two weeks before your event.
Is bubble fun included with my event?
Yes. Bubble fun is complimentary with eligible Happy Hippo experiences. It’s one of the little extras we bring to make the event feel even more fun, lively and memorable.
Can I add a foam party?
Yes. Foam fun is complimentary for eligible outdoor celebrations, subject to space, weather and setup requirements.
Can I combine several treats and add-ons?
Yes. Add the treats and extras you want right in the booking form. It only shows what works for your venue, and your price updates as you go.
Party time
Event day details
A few things that help us keep everything smooth and stress-free.
What should I have ready before Happy Hippo arrives?
Make sure we have the correct event address, an event-day contact, clear access to the setup area and any parking or venue instructions our team needs to know.
Does Happy Hippo handle setup and cleanup?
For staffed Happy Hippo experiences, our team handles the setup and breakdown of our service area and equipment.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Weather can affect some outdoor experiences. If the forecast may impact your event, contact us as soon as possible at (301) 304-6640 so we can review your options. For many events, our indoor Shaved Ice Kiosk makes a great rain plan. See our Cancellation & Refund Policy for details.
What if my venue has limited parking or access?
Let us know about gates, stairs, loading restrictions, parking rules, narrow entryways or anything else that may affect setup. The setup photo you send after booking helps us plan around these ahead of time.
Can guests pay for their own treats?
For qualifying public events like festivals and community days, yes. Choose whether you’re treating the crowd or letting guests buy their own when you book.
Can Happy Hippo handle larger events?
Yes. Enter your estimated attendance and time window when you book, and we’ll plan the setup and staffing to serve your crowd.
Raise funds. Serve something fun.
Shaved ice fundraisers for schools and nonprofits
Schools, teams, and community organizations can turn Happy Hippo treats into a fundraiser people actually get excited about. Guests buy their own treats and your group earns 20% back once the event minimum is met.
Explore Fundraisers