Party for 3 year old- timings and order help please

[Wishful80sMontage]

Dd turns 3 a few weeks after I will have given birth so decided to have party in a local village hall. I'll get m and s buffet food and hire an entertainer who will do dancing and games (£70 per hour).
If we have party on sat its only available 2.30-4.30 or sun any time from 11 -5.
Say the party is running from 2.30 to 4.30 when would entertainment start and end and when and how to serve food? Would I have the kids all seated and let the parents choose from buffet for them? They are mostly around 2-3 years but a couple are younger and we won't have highchairs down there.

[drspouse]

We chose a morning party for our DC1 aged 3 because of naps for both DCs but your DC2 will have random sleeps and I'm assuming your DC1 no longer naps?

We had about an hour's play then sandwiches (M&S platter, good choice), I think we gave the parents a plate to select more or less as you've said. One or two tinies sat on laps.
Then cake and singing and a bit more play.
We made playdough biscuits in the kitchen of the hall during the first hour and they were cool to go in the party boxes with a balloon, by the end.

[bittapitta]

Half hour free play, then the entertainer, then birthday food (buffet style for parents to serve but some on tables too) then sing happy birthday/serve cake, then time for more free play while you tidy round.

[attheendoftheday]

I would do exactly what bitta suggests.