How to Build a 4th of July Float

Conjure up images of red, white and blue, and most people think immediately of the American flag. By incorporating these colors, you can celebrate the nation's day of independence with a festive 4th of July float. Working with your parade committee, you can create a winning float that can have everyone watching along the parade route stand up and salute you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flatbed trailer
• Nails
• Hammer
• 2-by-6-inch boards
• 2-by-4-inch boards
• Plywood
• Floral sheeting
• Staple gun
• Decorative items

1. Gather your committee together to brainstorm for float ideas. Most 4th of July parades don't have a theme, since the theme is already the nation's independence day. Some suggestions include: United We Stand, Stars & Stripes Forever, Hooray for the USA or Proud to Be an American.

2. Locate a flatbed trailer and a vehicle to pull it. An ideal trailer is a hay trailer because it has a wooden bed. If you want a float with rails, then consider using a hay wagon.

3. Build a new floor over the trailer if you have numerous people riding the float. Nail 2-by-6-inch boards or 2-by-8-inch boards on the edge of the trailer to form the frame. Then secure 2-by-4-inch boards next to them. Add extra pieces of lumber for any area you think needs extra support. Lay a floor of inexpensive plywood over the frame because this adds extra stability and strength to the frame.

4. Attach floral sheeting to the deck of the trailer with a staple gun. Add decorative fringe to the bottom of the frame, followed by petal festooning to hide the seam between the sheeting and the fringe.

5. Decorate your 4th of July float. Apply papier–mâché to chicken wire, using two to three layers. When it's dry, spray paint the float in red, white and blue. Add red, white and blue streamers or balloon arches. Decorate the rest of the float, and be creative. Keep the theme in mind. Use classic 4th of July themed decor such as stars, firecrackers and flags.

6. Dress up in costume if you're riding on the float. Use props such as flags, Statue of Liberty decorations and plenty of red, white and blue clothing.

Tips & Warnings

• Set aside a few weeks to complete all the work. Creating a 4th of July float from scratch can be time-consuming. The last thing you want is a float that looks like it was put together in a few days.
• Check with the city to determine its rules and regulations regarding driving floats on the city's streets. Safety is an important matter and decorations come second.
• If you use a hay wagon, keep in mind that it limits the space you can have. You cannot make a float too high while using one of these nor can your float be very wide.