When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to fall, communities across the country gather for some of the year’s most memorable events. From pumpkin patches and football tailgates to Thanksgiving food drives and holiday markets, fall and winter are peak seasons for festivals, fundraisers, and community gatherings.
For rental companies, these events represent an opportunity. Event organizers need tents, tables, chairs, restrooms, and—more than ever—portable handwashing stations. Offering sinks isn’t just about safety; it’s about delivering a better guest experience and capturing one of the highest-margin add-on rentals available.
At Ozark River, we’ve seen the impact firsthand. Last fall, we had the privilege of supporting Tracy Lawrence’s Mission: Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert, a Nashville tradition that combines music, food, and service to fight hunger. It was the perfect example of how portable sinks make a difference at large-scale events—and how rental companies can leverage that same opportunity in their own markets.
A Day of Service, A Lesson in Hygiene
The Mission: Possible Turkey Fry is more than just a concert. Each year, country artist Tracy Lawrence partners with Operation BBQ Relief to prepare thousands of Thanksgiving meals for families in need. In 2024, the event brought together more than 300 volunteers who worked tirelessly to fry turkeys, prepare side dishes, and package meals for distribution.
The scale was staggering:
- 1,500 turkeys fried in a single day
- 25,000+ meals prepared for the Nashville community
- Hundreds of volunteers sharing their time and talents
With that many people handling food, hand hygiene was critical. That’s where Ozark River came in. We provided and maintained eight portable handwashing sinks across the cooking and prep areas, ensuring volunteers could wash up quickly and conveniently without interrupting the flow of the operation.
The sinks became a natural hub—used constantly, trusted by every volunteer, and essential to the smooth operation of the day.
Why Event Planners (and Their Rental Partners) Can’t Overlook Sinks
Events like the Turkey Fry highlight a truth that many rental companies are just beginning to realize: portable sinks are no longer a “nice-to-have.” They’re an expectation.
Here’s why:
- Compliance and Safety
Health departments, food vendors, and even insurance carriers increasingly require accessible handwashing. A rental company that offers sinks makes it easier for event planners to meet regulations without extra hassle. - Guest Experience
Parents at a fall carnival, fans at a football tailgate, or shoppers at a holiday market all appreciate having a place to wash their hands. Visible sinks send a message that the event organizer cares about safety and comfort. - Bundling Opportunities
Sinks pair naturally with other rental items: tents, restrooms, concession stands, and food prep areas. They add value to existing orders without significantly increasing delivery time or labor. - High-Margin Revenue
Portable sinks don’t require complex setup or heavy maintenance, yet they rent for premium rates. That makes them one of the highest-margin add-ons available in the rental industry today.
Seasonal Events Where Sinks Shine
The Mission: Possible Turkey Fry is just one example, but opportunities abound every fall and winter. Some of the most common sink-worthy events include:
- Fall Festivals & Fairs – pumpkin patches, Oktoberfests, wine tastings
- Sports Tailgates – college football, NFL Sundays, high school games
- Halloween Events – haunted houses, trunk-or-treats, street parties
- Thanksgiving Community Meals – turkey trots, church dinners, charity drives
- Holiday Markets & Light Festivals – Christmas villages, craft fairs, concerts
- Winter Weddings & Corporate Parties – tented celebrations, catering-heavy gatherings
At each of these events, sinks play the same role they did at the Turkey Fry: keeping guests safe, vendors compliant, and rental companies profitable.
Turning Community Impact Into Business Growth
For us, donating sinks to the Mission: Possible Turkey Fry was about more than equipment—it was about supporting a cause we believe in. But the lessons translate directly to the rental industry.
When you add portable sinks to your fleet, you’re not just offering another piece of equipment. You’re:
- Helping planners avoid compliance headaches
- Making their event more guest-friendly
- Positioning yourself as a full-service partner
- Capturing untapped revenue that your competitors might be missing
And in busy seasons like fall and winter, when events stack up weekend after weekend, those add-ons add up fast.
Ready to Rent Smarter This Fall?
The Mission: Possible Turkey Fry showed us the power of pairing community with convenience—and how something as simple as a portable sink can have a massive impact. For rental companies, the same is true: sinks can transform your offerings, boost your margins, and make you the go-to partner for seasonal events.
Want to explore how portable sinks fit into your fall rental strategy? Contact us today to learn more about fleet options, bundling strategies, and seasonal opportunities.
