Author Archives: Kristine Richards

Snowy Magic for Parade Floats: 3 Imaginative Ways to Craft the Look

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There’s nothing more festive than the sight of snow, evoking cherished memories of winter wonderlands and the excitement of the first snowfall. You can capture that magical winter vibe in your Christmas parade floats with makeshift snow! Here are three easy ways to create the illusion of snow using your parade float supplies.

1. Floral Sheeting

Floral sheeting is an excellent choice for adding snowy effects to your holiday parade floats. Our Iridescent Snow Floral Sheeting features shimmering flakes that sparkle beautifully under lights, making your float truly eye-catching.

To get started, measure your trailer bed to determine how many rolls you’ll need—be sure to order extra for additional areas. Once you have your materials, carefully lay out the floral sheeting. Start from one side, rolling it out gently and securing it with adhesive. Continue this process until your trailer bed is fully covered. For odd spaces, simply cut pieces of the sheeting to fit.

But the magic doesn’t stop at the trailer bed! You can cut the floral sheeting into shapes to create artificial snow effects on chimneys, gingerbread houses, Christmas trees, and more, adding a delightful touch to your float.

2. Cotton Balls

Sometimes the simplest ideas create the most enchanting effects. Cotton balls can transform into delightful snowballs for your parade float.

Gather materials like cotton balls, glue, white thread, and a needle. Start by stringing the cotton balls onto the thread, securing each one with glue. You can make the strands uniform or vary their sizes for a more natural look.

Once you have several strands, hang them up in creative ways:

  • Drape strands against your backdrop for a snowfall effect.
  • Decorate the edges of your trailer with these lovely cotton strands.
  • Use them to trim Christmas trees or gingerbread house rooftops.

For an added touch, sprinkle white glitter on the cotton balls for some extra sparkle, and use lights to enhance the glowing effects of your snow strands.

3. Crushed or Crumpled Paper

Another fantastic way to create parade float snow is by using crushed or crumpled paper, ideal for constructing snowy meadows on your float.

Start with white tissue paper, crushing it as much as possible. Unfurl the sheets while keeping some bumps and ridges visible to mimic real snow. Layer the crumpled paper where needed, securing it with adhesive.

For larger snow blocks, gather several crumpled sheets, tie them together, and cover with unfurled sheets for a neat look. A light dusting of glitter on top can add a dazzling finish.

These fun and frosty methods will help you create a snowy spectacle that spreads Christmas cheer to all parade participants and spectators, especially in warmer areas where snowfall is rare. Explore our fun selection of winter parade float supplies for even more ways to create a magical winter wonderland parade float!

How to Build the Ultimate Parade Float

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how to build a parade float

Creating parade floats can be overwhelming. If you’re making a festive display for Christmas, Fourth of July or any other holiday, Parade Float Supplies Now has a huge selection of seasonal, decorative items you can mix and match to build a holiday parade float you can be proud of. Come up with your own idea and build your float from scratch with our holiday supplies or make it easier and grab a complete parade float decorating kit, with everything you need for a unique jaw-dropping design. Here are a few tips and ideas to make your parade float the best one yet:

Covering Your Parade Float

basic parade float trailer

The first step is covering your parade floats vehicle. Floral sheeting is a durable and flameproof decorating material that is available in a variety of colors, and is perfect for covering your entire float bed, or creating smaller float elements. is perfect to add a pop of color to the edges of your parade floats, create backdrops, or add depth to elements on your float. Use festooning, garlands, and twists to cover the edges of your parade floats, or for decorations on doorways, arches, and tables. There are also vehicle decorating kits to make it easier to get the basics finished.

Parade Float Decor

For pure, festive flair, there are plenty of huge parade float items to display, like holiday lettering, the or Star Arch. These items have colorful, holiday themes, and are a huge focal point when you add them to your parade float. Some of them can be upwards of seven, eight, or nine feet high! Stars, ornaments, and more help your float catch the eye of any parade audience.

star arch decoration for parade float

When you have your big items picked, remember there’s still more to do. Think about adding some festive lights if your parade will start or continue after it gets dark. You can use these items to customize your float even if you don’t have a specific holiday theme.

Finishing Touches for Your Parade Float

Colorful, fun items like balloons, poms, and curling ribbon help you add finishing touches no matter where you need them. If you’re designing a float for another reason, these items are helpful for making everything look perfect.

When the day has finally arrived, make sure you have something to toss to the parade viewers! Hats, confetti poppers, beads, candy, and even custom stickers give you plenty of options for fun holiday giveaways. Grab a to make handing them out fun.

Simplifying the Process

stock up on supplies to create any parade float

Building a complete parade float can be time-consuming and overwhelming. We offer all of the tools, supplies and unique to take the stress out of your event, so you can focus on celebrating the holiday and having a great time at your parade.

 

 

 

 

Top 6 Parade Float Ideas to Light Up Your Holiday Season

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Winter and Holiday Parade Float Theme Ideas

Looking for inspiration for your holiday parade floats? The holiday season is here, and with it comes the joy and stress of choosing the perfect themes and parade float supplies. In this article, we’ll share a variety of festive parade float ideas—from classic to whimsical—that will make your float stand out in any holiday parade.

  1. Winter Wonderland

A perennial favorite for Christmas parade floats, the Winter Wonderland theme captivates with its bright royal blue and white colors. You can create enchanting scenery using snowflake tree kits. If you’re short on time, consider our Winter Wonderland Complete Parade Float Theme for a quick, beautiful setup.

  1. Frozen

Perfect for fans of the beloved Disney movie, you can build a raised structure to replicate Queen Elsa’s iconic scene, using royal blue, aqua, and white with silver accents. Incorporate cardboard cutouts or live performers as characters. Enhance the look with snowflake decorations and faux snow.

  1. Snow Globe
Snow Floral Sheeting

Capture the enchanting spirit of Christmas with a charming snow globe float. Keep your trailer design simple and elegant, using iridescent floral sheeting. Add flex lights around the globe’s base for an eye-catching glow, and populate the globe with lifelike characters to tell a festive story.

  1. Gingerbread House

Delight the crowd, especially the kids, with a whimsical Gingerbread House float. Make the design bright and colorful, incorporating faux peppermint and candy cane accents. Use lights to trim the edges and corners, and sprinkle faux snow for a festive touch. You can even hand out snacks during the parade to bring the gingerbread theme to life!

  1. North Pole

Embrace the holiday chill with a festive North Pole theme. Start by constructing an igloo structure securely on the trailer. Decorate it with iridescent floral sheeting and faux snow. Finally, fill the scene with cardboard cutouts of penguins, polar bears, and elves, or bring characters to life with actors.

  1. Naughty or Nice

Keep the audience guessing with a playful Naughty or Nice theme. Create sturdy box-like gift structures for “elves” to climb on during the parade, and include a giant scroll cutout as Santa’s list. Have actors check the list and interact with the crowd, adding a fun twist to the float.

For even more creativity, consider combining these themes with additional elements like mascots or custom designs. Explore Parade Float Supplies Now to find everything needed to create an unforgettable winter wonderland parade float or a memorable holiday parade float.

 

 

5 Essentials for a Festive Christmas Parade Float

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complete christmas time is here parade float

The vibrant reds and greens of Christmas parade floats instantly set a festive mood, but what else do you need to make your holiday parade floats truly shine? Here are our top five essentials for creating a fabulous holiday float this season:

1. Trees

Nothing embodies the holiday spirit quite like Christmas trees and evergreens. They symbolize hope and joy, making them a staple for any Christmas parade float. When selecting trees, consider the trailer size and weight limits. If real trees are too heavy or don’t fit your design, opt for lightweight plastic or colorful cardboard standups. For a non-traditional touch, our stunning Lit Trees come with metallic floral sheeting to captivate your audience and enhance your float’s overall aesthetic.

2. Snow

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Make it a reality with a snowy landscape on your Christmas parade floats. Our Snow Floral Sheeting (available in iridescent options) makes dressing your trailer bed quick and easy. Sprinkle artificial snow over other decorations to create a winter wonderland vibe that delights spectators.

Snow Floral Sheeting

3. Lights

Add some sparkle to your holiday parade floats with plenty of lights! To simplify your setup, use Flex Lights, which are designed for outdoor use and won’t malfunction in inclement weather. Illuminate major design elements like trees and backdrops, and outline structures like gingerbread houses for visibility during twilight. Consider adding fairy lights, strobes, or projections to amplify the festive atmosphere—after all, the more lights, the merrier!

4. Costumed Characters

Bring the magic of the season to life by populating your Christmas parade floats with delightful characters like Santa, elves, and reindeer. Cardboard standups are an affordable way to add vibrant, lightweight figures to your float. For an interactive touch, include live performers dressed as these beloved characters, especially if your float features a Santa’s workshop theme. This will surely elevate the holiday spirit among young parade-goers!

Santa Claus Standup

5. Trimmings

Enhance your design with cheerful trimmings such as sleighs, Christmas balls, holly, candy canes, stockings, and gifts. Explore various holiday decor to beautifully tie your theme together and create an inviting, festive atmosphere.

Bonus Tips

Music: Fill the air with joyful tunes to make your float stand out. Curate a Christmas playlist to create a festive vibe that spectators can’t ignore.

Letter Kits: Spell out a holiday message with our letter kits, adding a personal touch to your float’s sides or backdrop.

Complete Parade Float Kits: Short on time? Our ready-to-go Christmas and holiday parade float kits are thematically stunning and compatible with various transportation methods.

Giveaways: Embrace the spirit of giving by preparing treats and goodies to hand out to spectators—check out our selection for inspiration!

Now that you know how to transform your Christmas and holiday floats into a warm and inviting spectacle, it’s time to get started! Shop with us today for all the parade float supplies you need to create the holiday parade float of your dreams!

Master the Art of Parade Float Assembly

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parade float snow

Parade float assembly can turn a vibrant parade into an unforgettable spectacle. With a little creativity and some handy parade float supplies, you can craft a float that dazzles everyone. Be it Christmas, Homecoming, Independence Day, or Pride, our guide helps you navigate through the assembly process with ease.

Parade Float Ideas: Brainstorm and Design

First things first: get your parade float ideas flowing! Gather your team to brainstorm the theme, design, and color scheme. To ensure a seamless assembly, consider:

Float Size and Design Complexity: Decide how grand or simple your float should be. This affects your budget and the parade float supplies needed.

Team Size and Commitment: Determine how many people can contribute and their availability. More hands mean quicker assembly!

Building Location and Security: Find a spacious, secure place, like a backyard or parking lot. Protect materials from weather with a reliable cover.

Gather Your Parade Float Kits and Supplies

For smooth parade float assembly, you need the right parade float materials. Here’s a basic list to get you started:

  • Low-boy trailer or hay wagon
  • Chicken wire and wood pieces for the framework
  • Floral sheeting, fringe & skirting, festooning
  • Props, decorations, tissue paper poms, streamers, ribbons, banners, balloons
  • Letters & numbers for messages
  • Paint and painting kit
  • Adhesive materials like tape and staplers

Build the Framework

To build the framework, start by constructing a strong base using chicken wire and wood. The wood provides stability and structure, while the chicken wire creates a flexible yet durable surface for attaching decorations. Make sure the framework is robust enough to endure the jolts and vibrations as the float moves during the parade. This solid foundation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your float, ensuring it can support the weight of decorations and withstand the weather elements. Aim for a balanced structure that’s both sturdy and adaptable for detailed decoration work.

Unleash Your Creativity: Decorate!

With your theme in mind, start decorating! Use your chosen supplies and float kits to bring your parade float ideas. Don’t hold back—go big and make it stunning!

By following these steps, you’ll create a float that stands out and adds magic to any parade. Have fun and happy building!