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You can transform your float surface, be it a flat bed truck or a trailer, with simple grass mats. Choose to buy individual mats or outdoor grass carpeting used in decks and deck housing to cover the surface. Choose to cover all or part of the float with the grass or you could cover some in sandbox sand to give the appearance of a beach.
While the theme here is palm trees, you can do so much more---you can take the palm idea and turn it into a beach float or a luau float. You may want to create your own theme, such as "Fun under the sun" to give your float more focus than just palm trees. -
For the palm trees, simply attach several pieces of PVC piping together with zip-ties and wrap the trunk portions in brown tissue paper and the top portions in green tissue paper. Attach the tree to a wooden base that will attach to the float bed. You can make several of these for very little; when you bend the PVC by applying pressure in any direction, you'll achieve a more realistic look. If you have access to a generator, you can even light them up with strings of holiday lighting. If it is in your budget, you may be able to find electric palm trees that have a wire frame that are lit up, as these are often available during the summer months.
If you want to create a beach scene, you can always take sheer blue fabric and make a waterfall off the back of a truck into an area meant to look like water with more blue fabric piled below. Simply drape the fabric in a flowing fashion to look like water flowing down into a pool. This will make an ideal backdrop for the palm trees. -
For an added element of fun, add to your palm trees coconuts or even bananas made of Styrofoam or plaster of Paris, shaped and painted with craft paints. These are small details but will add to the beauty and realism of your palm trees and the whole setting.
Consider adding a bit of color and height to your float by placing a bouquet of themed or brightly colored helium balloons at each corner of your float. If the sun is shining, it will shine off the float and make the float brighter and more noticeable. No matter what the weather, this will create another fun dimension.
To add more detail, you might want to find inflatable or even stuffed tropical birds and monkeys to set around your float. Another fun idea is to add Tiki torches to the perimeter of your float. If you aren't sure what else to add, you can always have members of your creative team dress up in beach attire. Throw around a couple inflatable tubes, and you'll have a beautiful float that looks more like a movie set. -
Music will bring your whole float together. With either a batter-powered radio or stereo plugged into a generator you have on board, play luau party music. There are CDs sold with this type of music on them; you can simply put the CD on repeat so you're always spreading a luau feeling as you proudly display your palm trees.
The best palm tree floats, or any float for that matter, are those that have interaction with the people in attendance. Have several of your creative team members on the edge or walking along side the float handing out items to the spectators. Items that can be shared from a palm tree float include items such as leis, sun visors, candy or drink coolers.
