When time, manpower and money are not an issue, it may be possible to create a parade float that is a detailed and impressive work of art. But more often than not this is not the case. Coming up with ideas for parade floats that are simple in design and not labor intensive is not impossible, however. Working smarter, not harder, is the key. And in some cases, a good concept can end up being just as effective as an overabundance of bells and whistles.
Materials
There are some basic materials specific to float building that can help to create a polished and professional-looking float with a minimal investment of time. Metal trailers can present some real challenges when it comes to attaching decorations. Magnetic tape can remedy this challenge. This tape is usually around 1/2 inches wide and comes in 100-foot rolls. The magnetic properties of the tape allow it to stick to the metal trailer and provide a means of attachment for all kinds of decorative items. Such decorative items could include garlands, vinyl festooning, metallic fringe and foam board letters and shapes. These ready-made products also make for quick and simple float decorating. If both budget and time are matters of concern, it may be necessary to take a creative and homemade approach. As long as decorating can take place shortly before the parade, inexpensive supplies such as balloons and crepe paper streamers can be used to add color and a sense of movement. Kits that include everything needed to complete a parade float are also available. Websites such as Parade Float Stuff.com offer a wide variety of float decor items.
Scenes and Props
A simple scene can sometimes provide an effective expression of a parade theme. For example, for a Christmas parade scene of Santa's workshop can be created simply by using a wooden table, a few chairs, toys, brightly wrapped gifts and participants in elf costumes. A harvest theme can be depicted using bales of hay, bushel baskets of real produce and live "harvesters" dressed in bib overalls and checked shirts. For scenes such as these, decorating the float will simply involve covering the trailer bed or wagon floor with artificial grass mats or floral sheeting and adding some kind of covering on the side of the wagon. This covering could be colorful fabric, metallic fringe or floral sheeting. The trick is to make sure to trim the covering so that the wheels of the wagon or trailer are concealed, but the covering does not drag on the ground or impede trailer movement. Garlands and festooning can also be added along the edge of the trailer for added pizazz. Other simple props can be made ahead of time. Simple cardboard cut-outs that represent the theme of the float can be very effective. For example, a nature theme can be portrayed through cardboard cut outs of trees, flowers, or animals. Trace the design on the cardboard, outline with permanent black marker and fill in colors with ordinary acrylic craft paint.
Texture
Parade floats are often designed with different levels that add visual interest. These levels can consist of a variety of platforms covered with artificial grass or floral sheeting, or may consist of simple wood and chicken wire frames. Tissues paper squares or giant flowers made of tissue paper can provide color while concealing framework. Pushing the tissue paper squares into the chicken wire openings is a simple way to add color and texture. Giant tissue paper flowers can be created by folding the paper fan style and securing at the center with a pipe cleaner. The blossom is revealed when the tissue paper layers are gently separated and spread apart. These flowers can be interspersed among the tissue paper squares for added detail.
Tags: tissue paper, floral sheeting, paper squares, artificial grass, chicken wire, decorative items, metallic fringe
