Transforming Your Golf Cart into a Parade Float

Parades are held all over the world for various reasons, but they all share one common element – celebration. These public processions typically have floats, huge balloons, dignitaries, and marching bands, among other entertainment. Parades honor special days, like the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, special causes like the Gay Pride Parades in every state, or local events like the school homecoming parades that are held in various hometowns each year.

Parades are fun events filled with smiles and laughter, creativity, love, excitement, and community. You probably attend a few yourself each year, joining friends and family to watch, cheer, admire the unique trail of floats as they pass you by. Let’s face it. The floats are a highlight of nearly any parade. If unique float designs have you yearning to be more than a spectator next year, look no further than your golf cart! You can design a float using just about anything – trailers, trucks, cars, golf carts, wagons, and even shopping carts. You just need a little creativity, a good team of people, and this guide.

Entering a Parade: Where to Start

The first thing you need to do before you begin designing your golf cart float is collect all the information. After you’ve decided which parade you would like to participate in, you need to gather the appropriate information from the parade officials. This includes finding out how much the entry fee is, what the rules are, when the deadlines are, and so on.

The main thing you should know is what is not allowed. Every parade is different; some don’t allow semi-trucks because of the size, some only allow self-propelled floats, and some won’t allow you to toss anything into the crowd. You don’t want to make mistakes. Next, find out the judging categories, and design your float accordingly.

Designing Your Float: Start Here

Now that you understand the rules and regulations for the parade you are entering, the real fun can begin; it starts with creative brainstorming. Invite your team of family and friends, and have a good old-fashioned brainstorming session. Start by thinking of what children would enjoy, as families are usually the target audience of a parade. Space travel, animals, the circus, aliens, clowns, and dinosaurs are some classic strange and funny things kids like.

Compare and Finalize Your Golf Cart Float Design

Compare your list of ideas next to the parade’s theme to shorten your list. For instance, if you’re entering a Valentine’s Day Parade, aliens and clowns will probably have to be cut from the list, whereas animals like giant teddy bears and large candy hearts displaying LUV YOU, would be perfect. You could even use space travel for this theme; maybe a rocket ship that says your love sends me to the moon. You want to stick with the theme, but be as creative as possible; think outside the box with your design.

Once you have a solid idea in place, start thinking about design features that will draw people’s attention. This usually includes elements on the float that move; sticking with the Valentine’s Day theme, a giant teddy bear that mechanically waves its hand to the crowd would be perfect. It also comes down to your people on the float. They should be in full costumes and play their character roles as if they’ll win an Oscar at the end of the parade. Confetti cannons, fog and smoke machines, flashing lights, and bubble machines are just a few more additions that will really make your float pop and draw in the crowd.

Wow the Crowd, but Don’t Offend Them

Last, don’t limit your float to just the visual aspect. Include as many of the five senses as you can. Use sound effects, or have scents emit from your float – if you’re in a Christmas Parade, peppermint and pine would be great scents. Toss the crowd candies and have them interact with you; do a little dance for them to mimic; start “The Wave” – anything to get them engaged with your float.

In the end, the main thing you should want from your float is to be tasteful as well as fun. Don’t use offensive items or messages. Keep the fun G rated. You don’t want parade goers to remember you for the wrong reasons.

Now, the Fun Begins

Once you have your concept all put together, it’s time to get down to sketching, designing, and creating the float. The work and materials required will be determined by the vehicle you use, but typically you’ll need plywood, construction staplers and staples, “L” brackets, nails and drywall screws, plumbers tape, a tape measure, scissors, flexible board, wire and string, spray adhesive, and a cordless drill with screwdriver attachments. The success of your float’s design comes down to correct measurements, so be sure you have them before you do any work. Now you can begin the production– have fun!