Pelican's SnoBalls | Shaved Ice Catering - Gastonia, NC

Shaved Ice Catering & Events

Sweet. Colorful.
Unforgettable.

Pelican's SnoBalls brings the real New Orleans-style shaved ice experience directly to your event. From birthday parties to corporate cookouts, we roll up with over 100 flavors, all the equipment, and a crew that knows how to put on a show. All you have to do is show up.

100+
Flavors Available
500+
Events Catered
98%
Client Satisfaction Rate
Shaved Ice Catering Birthday Parties Corporate Events Weddings & Receptions School & Community Events 100+ Flavors Fundraisers Shaved Ice Catering Birthday Parties Corporate Events Weddings & Receptions School & Community Events 100+ Flavors Fundraisers
What We Do
The Pelican's
Difference

We are not a pop-up with a cooler. Pelican's SnoBalls is a fully equipped mobile catering operation with a proven system for keeping lines moving, guests happy, and event organizers stress-free from the first scoop to the last.

01
100+ Flavor Selection
From classic cherry and blue raspberry to wedding cake, tiger's blood, and cream of coconut, our flavor lineup covers every taste and age group. Guests customize every cup their way.
02
Full-Service Setup
We arrive early, set up completely, and handle the entire service from start to finish. No rental equipment to coordinate, no extra vendors to wrangle. Just show us where to park and we handle the rest.
03
Flexible Packages
Whether you have 50 guests or 5,000, we build a package around your headcount, duration, and budget. Fixed pricing, no per-cup surprises. We have done events of every size across the Carolinas.
Special Offers

Sign up to receive early-bird event specials, seasonal flavor announcements, and exclusive booking discounts from Pelican's SnoBalls.

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Client Voices
Events They Still Talk About

"We hired Pelican's for our daughter's graduation party and it was hands-down the biggest hit of the whole afternoon. Over 80 guests and every single one of them had something in their hand within the first 20 minutes. Incredibly smooth operation."

Denise M.
Gastonia, NC

"We brought Pelican's out to our company's annual summer picnic for the second year in a row. The crew is professional, fast, and genuinely fun to work with. Our employees start asking about it in April every year."

Carlos W.
Charlotte, NC

"We used Pelican's as a dessert station at our outdoor wedding reception and our guests absolutely loved it. They worked with our timeline perfectly and even matched flavors to our wedding colors. Could not recommend them more."

Tiffany R.
Belmont, NC
Ready to make your event the one everyone remembers? Get a Quote
About Us
Who We Are

Pelican's SnoBalls is a licensed shaved ice catering operation based in Gastonia, North Carolina, serving the greater Charlotte area and surrounding communities. We specialize in bringing authentic New Orleans-style shaved ice to private parties, corporate gatherings, school events, fundraisers, and weddings.

We got into this business because we believe great events deserve great food, and nothing brings a crowd together quite like a perfectly made snoball on a hot Carolina day. We run a tightly operated mobile catering unit with a full flavor selection, professional-grade equipment, and a crew trained to handle high-volume service without long lines or slow setups. Every event we work gets the same level of attention whether it is 50 people in a backyard or 2,000 at a community festival.

Our Mission

To make every event sweeter. We show up ready, serve fast, and leave guests with a smile and an empty cup. Simple as that.

Our Values
Value 01
Community First
We are a local business rooted in Gastonia. The events we cater are in our neighborhoods, schools, and parks. We take that seriously and show up like it matters, because it does.
Value 02
Quality in Every Cup
Real shaved ice is not snow cone ice. We use properly calibrated equipment that produces fine, fluffy ice that absorbs flavor all the way through, not just on top. The difference is obvious in the first bite.
Value 03
Zero Hassle
Event planning is already a lot of work. We make our piece of it effortless. Clear pricing, reliable arrival times, no vendor drama, and a clean departure after the last cup is served.
Credentials

Fully licensed and insured catering operation. Certified food handlers on every crew.

Licensed & Insured
Certified Food Handlers
Pelican's Franchise Network
What We Offer
Catering
Packages

Every package includes full setup, breakdown, and staffing. We bring the equipment, flavors, cups, spoons, and napkins. You bring the guests. Reach out for custom pricing based on your event size and duration.

01
Private Party Catering
Birthdays, backyard cookouts, graduation parties, family reunions, baby showers. We tailor the flavor lineup to your crowd, arrive with a fully stocked unit, and provide attentive service throughout your event. Packages start at 50 guests and scale up with no issues. You pick the time slot, we handle everything else.
BirthdaysCookoutsFamily Events50+ Guests
02
Corporate & Company Events
Summer picnics, employee appreciation days, client appreciation events, grand openings, and trade show activations. We handle high-volume service efficiently so your event keeps moving. Optional branded signage, custom flavor menus, and ticketing systems available for larger corporate functions.
Corporate PicnicsTeam EventsGrand OpeningsBranded Options
03
School & Community Events
Field days, end-of-year celebrations, PTA events, church festivals, and neighborhood block parties. We are experienced with large mixed-age crowds and know how to keep kids and adults equally happy. We work directly with event coordinators to fit into your existing schedule and budget constraints.
Field DaysChurch EventsBlock PartiesPTA Events
04
Weddings & Special Occasions
A Pelican's SnoBalls station makes for a memorable and unique dessert experience at outdoor receptions, rehearsal dinners, and anniversary parties. We can customize our flavor offerings around your event theme or colors and present a clean, visually appealing setup that fits any venue aesthetic.
WeddingsReceptionsAnniversariesCustom Themes
05
Fundraiser & Nonprofit Packages
We offer special pricing and revenue-sharing structures for nonprofit organizations, school fundraisers, and charity events. Your organization keeps a percentage of every cup sold. We provide the unit, the product, and the staffing. It is one of the easiest fundraising formats available and guests love it every single time.
FundraisersNonprofitsRevenue ShareSchool Programs
Contact Us
Get a Quote

Ready to book Pelican's SnoBalls for your next event? Have questions about availability or pricing? Send us a message and we will get back to you within one business day.

Business Name
Pelican's SnoBalls
Address
801 E Second Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28054
Business Hours
Monday - Sunday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET
Book Your Event

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Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions,
Straight Answers

Can't find what you are looking for? Reach out directly via our Contact page.

What exactly is a Pelican's SnoBall and how is it different from a snow cone? +
A Pelican's SnoBall is authentic New Orleans-style shaved ice, which is fundamentally different from a traditional snow cone. Snow cones use crushed or chunked ice, which is coarse and causes the syrup to fall to the bottom of the cup. Our shaved ice is produced by a precision blade that creates fine, fluffy ice crystals that absorb flavor all the way through. Every bite tastes like the last one. It is a noticeably better product, and guests who have never had it before always comment on the difference.
How far in advance should I book for my event? +
We recommend booking at least 2 to 4 weeks in advance for private parties and corporate events. For peak season dates (late spring through August), we strongly encourage booking 4 to 6 weeks out as our calendar fills quickly. Weddings and large-scale community events should be secured as early as possible, ideally 2 to 3 months out. That said, we do accommodate last-minute bookings when our schedule allows, so it is always worth reaching out regardless of your timeline.
How many guests can you serve at one event? +
We can serve events of virtually any size. Our standard catering unit handles events of 50 to 300 guests comfortably within a standard 2 to 3 hour service window. For larger events, we can deploy multiple units or arrange extended service windows to ensure nobody waits too long in line. Let us know your estimated headcount and event duration when you inquire and we will put together a plan that fits.
How many flavors do you offer, and can guests choose their own? +
We offer over 100 flavors spanning fruit, cream, tropical, candy-inspired, and classic categories. Popular options include tiger's blood, wedding cake, mango, strawberry cheesecake, blue coconut, and dozens more. Yes, guests choose their own flavors and can combine up to three flavors per cup. We also offer optional toppings including condensed milk, cream, and flavor pours. For events with younger crowds or themed parties, we can pre-select a curated flavor lineup to simplify the process.
Is there a minimum guest count or event size requirement? +
Our private party packages start at 50 guests. For smaller gatherings, we can sometimes accommodate with a minimum booking fee in place of the per-head minimum. Corporate and community events typically range from 100 to several thousand guests. Reach out with your event details and we will let you know what options are available for your specific situation. We do not want to turn away a good event over a technicality.
How does pricing work? +
Pricing is based on estimated guest count, service duration, travel distance, and any add-ons such as custom signage or specialty toppings. We offer flat-rate packages so you know exactly what you are paying before the day of the event. There are no per-cup charges billed after the fact. For fundraiser events, we offer a revenue-share model where your organization receives a percentage of all sales at the event. Contact us for a custom quote and we will have numbers to you quickly.
Do you travel outside of Gastonia? +
Yes. We regularly serve events throughout the Greater Charlotte metro area, including Charlotte, Belmont, Mount Holly, Lincolnton, Shelby, Hickory, and surrounding communities. Travel fees may apply for events beyond a certain radius from our Gastonia base. When you reach out, include your event location and we will confirm availability and any applicable travel costs. Give us a call at (704) 671-2012 or use our Contact page to get started.
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