Celebrity chef Duff Goldman oversaw the creation and demolition of a nearly 2-ton cake at Mr. Bubble's 65th birthday party in Minneapolis, where more than 100 children and their parents gathered to participate in an oversized version of the classic first-birthday smash cake tradition.
The event, held at a local venue that drew families from across the Twin Cities region, extended beyond the cake itself. After the cake demolition, children moved to oversized bubble-filled sprinklers set up nearby, tying the bath-time theme directly into the outdoor party experience.
Goldman, best known for his appearances on Food Network's "Ace of Cakes" and his Baltimore-based Charm City Cakes shop, said he wanted to reimagine the childhood tradition. "Mr. Bubble has been bringing fun to bath time for generations," Goldman said at the event, "so I knew that I wanted to take another classic childhood tradition—the smash cake—and give it the full Mr. Bubble treatment."
The Village Company, which owns the Mr. Bubble brand based in Chicago, framed the celebration as part of its broader marketing strategy. Michelle Hanson, the company's chief marketing officer, said the event was designed to "keep that spirit alive, taking a childhood tradition everyone knows and giving it a splash of Mr. Bubble magic." She emphasized that the company sees bath time as an opportunity for "giggles, imagination, and a little bit of mess."
Starting Aug. 7, 2026, at 8 a.m. ET, Mr. Bubble will release limited-edition "Smash & Splash" birthday kits through its website at mrbubblebirthday.com. The kits include exclusive bath-time products and a smaller smash cake that families can decorate and enjoy together.
The broader product rollout includes several new offerings tied to the 65th anniversary. A special anniversary kit features throwbacks to Mr. Bubble's earlier decades, while a new "bath time party in a box" product combines various bath-time essentials. The company also introduced a new bubble bath formula as part of the celebration.
Mr. Bubble claims the top position in the American kids' bath product market, both overall and specifically in bubble bath products, a position it has held consistently for years. The brand's 65-year longevity speaks to its durability in a consumer market that frequently sees product cycles and category shifts.
The Village Company maintains a diverse portfolio beyond bath products, including Village Naturals Therapy and Village Naturals Bath Shoppe lines, Soft & Dri deodorant, Dep hair gel, and Hallu bath and shower products. These brands collectively represent the company's strategy of maintaining multiple positions across the personal care category.
Goldman's involvement reflects his broader expansion beyond television into experiential and retail spaces. His recent ventures include partnerships with GoldBelly for mail-order cakes, Hallmark for party essentials, and Baketivity for baking kits. He opened his first restaurant, Duff's Deli + Market by Duff Goldman, at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2026.
For more information about Mr. Bubble products, families can visit mrbubble.com or follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
