Float Building 101

The first step in planning any float is to thoroughly read all of the information concerning deadlines, transporting the float, parade rules and regulations and most importantly, safety requirements.

Building a float is not as hard as you might think –the hardest part is coming up with a theme. You can define a float as, “any motorized or manually powered entry which has been constructed in such a manner that the individual components create a unified whole,” so there is a lot of room to come up with creative interpretations.

THE BASE
1. Be sure to read all of the information concerning the parade and make contact with the Parade Chairman for any special safety requirements and rules.

2. Determine a base structure upon which your float will be constructed. Floats can be built on anything with wheels.

3. Come up with a theme and a color scheme for your float. Determine the message you want to convey, staying within the parameters of your chosen theme. If your theme is humorous, make sure no one will be offended by it. Also, remember that blatant advertising is not allowed, so try to keep your message subtle and positive.

BE SURE TO INCORPORATE LIGHTS AS THEY ARE MANDATORY!
THIS IS AN EVENING PARADE!!

DESIGN
1. Draw a rough pencil sketch. Most floats use a stair step effect with the most height at the rear of the float. After you have worked out the details, a drawing done to scale is very helpful.

2. All entries must adhere to height, width, and length restrictions, and all must be able to navigate the parade route and make all turns required by the parade route.

3. Consider your equipment and the capability of your float-builders. If you plan to include elaborate props make sure that you have access to a capable technician who has the proper tools and equipment. If your float has electrical requirements, make sure you have consulted someone who is a qualified electrician.

MATERIALS
1. You’ll have to buy, rent, or borrow the materials needed to execute your plan. Be sure to have tools handy for your volunteer workers – power circular saws, electric jigsaws, screw guns or screwdrivers, electric drills, staple guns, hammers, and stepladders.

2. Pick an appropriate spot for constructing your float. There should be enough room for both your float and off-float work areas. Make sure you can use a nearby garage or another covered space. After you put in a lot of work, the last thing you want is to have your float ruined by a quick and unexpected five-minute sleet or freezing-rain storm.

The most important thing about building your float is to have fun doing it. Volunteer float-building can be a great bonding experience for your organization.

OTHER TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

Cars, and Golf Carts
Using these techniques, it is easy to see how most types of floats can be made using many different bases and themes.

Flat Bed Trailers
The same principles apply for trailers. For most trailers however, people can be added. Make sure there are handrails or posts for each person to hold.

Small trailers and Sailboats on Trailers
One idea was a small sailboat on its trailer. Decorate the sides, put the sails up, and put a couple of people in the boat…

Balloons Add Sparkle… Antique Cars are Cool… 

IDEAS FOR THEMES 
Start with basic ideas of what Christmas is best associated with:
1. Christmas trees (you could have a Christmas tree with flame-retardant flocking on your float as a prop)

2. Christmas gifts (large presents on your float make great props and are easy to create!)

3. Colors of red, green, white (helps with choosing the colors of your float)

4. Winter time/snow (you can use flame resistant white cotton-like materials, such as upholstery stuffing, to simulate snow. These are available at your local fabric store.

5. Family dinner (a table on the float portraying a family gathered at Christmas dinner)

6. Santa’s workshop (Children can be dressed as elves)

Get everyone involved who is building the floats’ input on how the float should look. Creativity is at its best when everyone has a say at what the float should look like. Write down all of the ideas on a chalk-board or large presentation paper and agree to a design. Creativity is sometimes the most difficult part of building the float, but it is also the most fun!

Participating in a parade can be a lot of fun. It can also be a lot of stress. Use these ideas to take the stress out of decorating your small float by keeping it easy.

First of all, balloons are fabulous for decorating a float. They are so popular because they are inexpensive. There are many ways to attach balloons to a float. You can tape the balloon ends using masking or packaging tape. If they aren’t sticking well, duct tape is also an option but it may not come back off easily so you might want to think twice depending on what you will be taping the balloons onto. If you are planning on using cardboard you can attach the balloons onto that. If using thin cardboard, just about any kind of tape will work. If using corrugated cardboard or even plywood, a staple gun will securely attach the balloons. Just be sure not to staple the end past the knot or you might pop the balloons.

Crepe paper is essential to quick and easy decoration. Also known as “streamers” this paper comes in a variety of colors and lengths and is very easy on the budget. All it takes to attach crepe paper is tape, however you may want to consider decorating the float shortly before the parade. Crepe paper is likely to rip if the float is moved at highway speeds so it’s best to decorate once you are near where the parade will take place. If making a float on a truck bed you can tape the crepe paper to the roof of the cab and run it down to the end of the truck bed sides. For extra flair, twist the crepe paper as you are unrolling it from one end to the other. If your float can handle some form of pole in the middle you can use crepe paper to make a maypole effect. Attach several strands of crepe paper to the top and run it out to the sides of the float. You can then have people sit under it. This works really well for a Christmas parade because you can use green crepe paper and put a star at the top of the pole and you have yourself a Christmas tree.

Lastly don’t forget some old favorites. Christmas lights are a must at night but remember you need to have an accurate power source on your float. Christmas garland of any kind is very easy to use. Whether it is faux pine or sparkly, shiny, tinsel garland or anything in between, it will cover your float quickly. Sometimes Christmas garland is sold in colors other than red and green. Consider your business or school colors. And of course, poster board and markers work well. This is a great option if a group is making a float because each person could make their own poster. That way everyone feels involved.

Most important tip of all … HAVE FUN!