Ricky DD’s Party Entertainment had a grand opening downtown Bladenboro Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Boost the Boro. Special speakers included Rebecca Hester, Bladenboro Mayor David Hales and Pastor Thurman Everett.
MAGICAL KINGDOM IN BLADEN
Walking into Ricky DDs Party Enterainment is similar to walking into a type of Disney magical kingdom. You will never know who you may run into including such celebrities as Mickey Mouse, Minny Mouse, Thor or Spiderman.
Ricky Lewis arrived to the grand opening with style and panache. He popped out of a luxury SUV VIP limousine with a smile that was contagious as he had everyone smiling with him on his big day.
Rebecca Hester from Boost the Boro officially welcomed Ricky Lewis to his own business in downtown Bladenboro. Hester said that Lewis was a “go-gettum” type of person who would do well with his business in Bladenboro.
Bladenboro – A magical kingdom of sorts opened up in downtown Bladenboro and they say that a dream is a wish your heart makes.
Derrick Lewis not only has a heart to make wishes come true, but also has a heart to bless children.
On Saturday a grand opening ceremony for Lewis’ special creation made his dreams come true. Ricky DD’s Party Entertainment is a special kind of entrepreneurial genius that is not seen very often in America, unless of course you are an owner of Disney World.
Boost the Boro got together to welcome Lewis to the new downtown area with a grand opening celebration and a ribbon cutting ceremony on a cool and dreary afternoon. It was a cool and somewhat windy afternoon, but it did not deter people from packing the street in front of 110 W. Seaboard Street.
At 2:59 the crowd had gathered, the Boro representatives had the ribbon at the ready and the special speakers were on hand. Lewis, who is larger than life always knows how to make an appearance and make the crowd smile.
As the clock passed the 3 p.m. starting time and people began to wonder where Lewis was, those standing in the street got to witness it first and up close and personal. A new, shiny, black SUV VIP Limo was coming slowly down the street as if it were a one-vehicle parade and those who knew the talented entrepreneur began shouting out, “Here he comes!”
As the limo came to a stop, with all the colored lights flashing, the driver got out and went around to open the back door. It was only a moment before Lewis popped out of the vehicle with a huge smile that infected the crowd and many who were not surprised commented – “That’s Ricky.”
He never does anything on a small scale and wowed the crowd.
Although Lewis had been in the building since September, he wanted to have everything perfect before the opening.
“Ricky DD’s Party Ent, we’ve been going on for about 10 years,” Lewis said. “We started off with characters to entertain at kids’ parties, like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Thor, Spiderman. What we do is go and entertain young kids’ parties or church events.”
From the creation of thrilling the kids with characters, the business has evolved to other things.
“We have since created a kids dance group,” Lewis said. “You’ve probably seen us in the parade. Then I started decorating and doing balloons and adding themes. I actually got into this building to have a ven-space if someone wants to hold a small baby shower, birthday parties or small gatherings.”
Although it may seem overwhelming to start up a business and navigate a less traveled path, Lewis seems to thrive on the challenge and is not intimidated or deterred from his dreams.
Currently, Lewis has a staff of 10 who work with him and they were instrumental in providing a hosting party that was unlike the nominal ribbon cutting ceremony. The business has blossomed to create and specialize in backdrops and backgrounds – each with a different theme, from Easter flair to a wild west backdrop to specialized backdrops created just for special occasions.
The party had music, food that went from meat balls to cup cakes to nachos to cotton candy and there was even a bouncy house set up at the rear of the building.
Special speakers at the festivities included Rebecca Hester who owns the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy with her husband, Mark Hester. She is also one of the leaders of Boost the Boro who is an economic development group that has a mission “to encourage a spirit of collaboration that will enable the Bladenboro community to grow, prosper, and improve the quality of life for its citizens.”
“On behalf of Boost the Boro, we are so happy and proud to have a new business opening in downtown Bladenboro – especially because it’s Derrick Lewis,” Hester said. “A lot of people know him and love him for so many different things that he does. We really appreciate everything he does. Derrick is a kind of ‘go-gettum’ kind of guy and we know it’s going to be a successful business here.”
Lewis also had his pastor, Thurman Everett from Bryant Swamp Missionary Baptist Church pray over his business and dedicate it to great things.
“We gather here under your canopy,” Everett said. “We have a desire to do your will. As we stand here in front of this business for Derrick Lewis, I pray your blessings upon him and his endeavor.”
Also on hand for the ceremony was Bladenboro Mayor, David Hales.
“I thank everybody for coming out,” Hales said. “I am so glad to see Derrick opening his business. I’ve seen him down here working religiously to get this thing started and I know he’s going to do well. It’s always good to see a new business in town. We don’t have many empty places anymore and that’s a blessing. From the town of Bladenboro and our commissioners, we offer our help in any way we can to further his business and we wish him the best.”
Mark DeLap is a journalist, photographer and the editor and general manager of the Bladen Journal. To see more of his bio, visit him at markdelap.com or email him. Send a message to: mdelap@bladenjournal.com