How to Design a Memorial Day Float

Floats are a traditional way to celebrate during parades for holidays. A Memorial Day float can salute our veterans and start the summer off with a bang. When you're ready to take on the challenge, align your float design with the Memorial Day theme. Remember to include emblems that represent respect, honor and gratitude in your Memorial Day float design. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Inquire about any parade rules or requirements for floats before the planning stages of your float. Some parades require only non-gasoline engines such as electric golf carts or pull wagons.
2. Find a base for your Memorial Day float. A trailer, or hay wagon, work well if vehicles are allowed on the parade route. If no vehicles are allowed, get creative and think about bikes, roller blades, wagons or even shopping carts.
3. Draw a sketch of your float. Draw any standing structures you plan to build, banners and anything hanging off the edges or above the float structure such as balloons and streamers.
4. Make a list of each part of the float that needs to be built. This should include things like trees to be constructed out of cardboard, mountains, flowers and flags.
5. Start a second list of things you need to purchase for the Memorial Day float. Find float decorations online or at party supply stores. Stick to a color theme, most likely red, white and blue for the holiday.
6. Build all large pieces ahead of time. Construct any flag poles, banners and the base they attach to in advance.
7. Put the float together starting at the base and working your way up. Hang streamers, balloons and extra decorations at the very end after securing all major pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• Decorative flowers always add a colorful touch to a float. For a Memorial Day parade, use red, white and blue tissue paper to make flowers by folding the paper and stapling it to the sides of the float.
• Red, white and blue helium balloons make a great decoration for a Memorial Day float. They can also be used as hand outs for along the parade route.
• Promote your business by having balloons personalized with your slogan and a patriotic message.
• Make sure you know any parade and float rules before starting to build. Some parades don't allow certain items on a float, such as extremely large structures, music or candy thrown into the crowd.