How to Build a Parade Float With No Car
Your school, organization, club or church has decided to build a float for the next parade. The challenge is to enter a float without a car or truck. You can build a float that can be pulled by a four-wheeler, garden tractor or lawn mower, or a team of horses, donkeys or oxen. You will need to have a light weight trailer and keep your float materials as light as possible. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Trailer or wagon with a trailer or animal team hitch
- Child's pull wagon for a miniature float
- Decorations: paper flowers, balloons, painted cardboard items, posters, banners or flags
- Staples
- Paper
Instructions
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1
Draw a sketch incorporating ideas that the theme of the parade inspires for your float.
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2
Measure the area of the trailer or wagon that you are using. Record the length and width of the area. Write down the area that will need to be covered. Measure and record the area and clearance needed to keep the tires free from decorations or impediments.
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3
Plan lightweight decorations and make a list of materials needed. For example you can decorate with banners, posters and flags or paper flowers.
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4
Construct the decorations for the float. If you are adding a Christmas scene make paper mache shapes to keep the weight down. Buildings can be made from cardboard boxes taped together and painted.
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5
Hook the float trailer or wagon to the tractor or four-wheeler vehicle you will be using the night before the parade.
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6
Decorate the trailer body and the tractor or four-wheeler with the items you have prepared ahead of time. Cover the sides with decorative paper, cloth banners or recycled cardboard. Staple or tape securely to keep the trim in place throughout the parade. If you are powering your float with a team of animals, decorate the gear where safely appropriate with colored cording, garland or flowers.
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Tips & Warnings
Construct the float inside of a garage or storage building.
If using live animals be sure to request that your float be as far from bands and sirens as possible.
