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Professionals and novices agree that our
Parade Float Supplies made
100% in the USA - by far - beats the Imports when it rains and when it comes
to fade resistants.
FBS Floral Sheeting, Fringe and Twists provide the qualtiy finishing touches to claim
first place!
Also available are letters to convey your message - to spectators at your
event!
Scroll down to see how fricking easy it really is to build an award winning
parade float! |
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Where to Begin
If your float is for a specific event, check with the Parade Chairman for
the theme so that you can decide on an appropriate design for your float.
The first step in planning any float is to thoroughly read all of the
information concerning entry fees, deadlines, transporting the float, parade
rules and regulations and most importantly, safety requirements. |
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Try to find a
trailer with a wood bed. A hay trailer a Utility trailer/ is
ideal for float building. |
HAY TRAILER |
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Designing your Float
The next step is to build or
borrow a float trailer, (see sketch below), which will determine the size of your float.
Floats have been built on trailers, jeeps, cars, even boats and barges. However, most
floats are built on trailers that are 8 feet or less in width to allow for travel to and
from the parade route. |
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After you choose your float size, try to determine what message you want to
convey, staying within the parameters of the parade theme. If your theme is
humorous, make sure that no one will be offended by it. Always use good
taste and remember that no one likes a blatant advertisement so try to keep
your message subtle and positive.
*Some parades do not allow gas-powered
engines or generators on the float itself. Always consult the Fire Marshall
and Parade Chairman |
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Another
important design consideration is the capabilities of your float
builders. If your planning on having elaborate props or woodwork, make
sure that you have access to someone who is a capable technician, with
proper tools and equipment. If you have electrical requirements, consult
a qualified electrician*. Animation's and prop movements can also be
human-powered. Simple pulleys and rope can be used to make props rotate
and move. |
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*Float entry's often must be approved by the Parade Chairman before allowed
into the parade.
Build a skirt frame and
attach with hinges to the deck of the float.
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There are a
few items you will want to have on hand before building your float. A
staple gun, nails, wire, chicken-wire, 1" X 1" and 2" X 2" construction
grade wood and plywood can be purchased at your local hardware store |
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Beginning Construction
Once you have an
approved* float design and all of the necessary materials you are ready to
begin construction.
First, build a
skirt frame from 2" X 2" pieces of wood and fasten the frame to the trailer
bed with hinges,
(so that the sides can be folded onto the bed of the trailer for ease of
transportation to and from the parade). The skirt frame is used to hide the
wheels and undercarriage. Be sure to terminate the skirt frame approximately
16" from the ground and
allow for tongue movement at the front of the float. |
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Decorating the float
Deck and side
skirts: Calculate the floral sheeting requirements in square yards by
multiplying the length times the width of each differently colored area,
(floral sheeting comes 36" wide by 10 yard lengths).
Cut the floral
sheeting into strips and attach to the bottom of the skirt and staple to the
deck of the trailer. |
Attaching floral
sheeting strips to the skirts and deck |
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Attachment of fringe and
festooning. |
After attachment of the floral sheeting strips, use a staple-gun to attach
our decorative fringe to the bottom of the 2" X 2" frame. Then use our petal
festooning to hide the seam line between the floral sheeting and fringe. You
can calculate the amount of fringe and petal festooning you will need by
adding the total running length of the perimeter of the float. |
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Topside: The amount of
floral sheeting needed for covering curved areas and props is determined by
visualizing these areas as if they were boxes. Make sure you order enough
material to cover the box. FBSI's floral sheeting can be attached to the
props by using nails, staples, hog-rings, twist-ties etc. |
The finished product! |
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