The Magic of Parade Floats: Types and Benefits

Parades have long been a cherished part of celebrations and cultural events worldwide. They evoke a sense of excitement, bringing communities together to celebrate special occasions and traditions. At the heart of these parades are the captivating parade floats, which not only add a touch of grandeur but also tell stories, promote businesses, and entertain the crowd.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the various types of parade floats and dive into the many benefits they bring to parades of all kinds.

Planning a float for your business or city? See our themed attractions and brand experiences, from parade floats to roadside landmarks.

Types of Parade Floats

Push Floats (or Manually-Powered Floats):

Push floats are typically moved manually by a group of people who push or pull the float along the parade route. These floats are a cost-effective option since they don’t require a vehicle for propulsion.

A colorful parade float, shaped like a giant jar of fireflies with "dream" and stars, is pushed by people in red shirts and cowboy hats. Featuring a University of Calgary sign, this lively example of parade floats rolls past a cheering downtown crowd.

A parade float features a large artist horse sculpture painting at an easel, with people in cowboy hats walking alongside. The vibrant parade floats display a colorful banner reading in-definite arts society: Be Inspired. Urban buildings rise behind.

Car-Driven Floats:

Car-driven floats are built on a vehicle chassis, such as a truck or trailer, which provides the power and mobility needed to move the float. The vehicle is often concealed within the float’s design. Car-driven floats are versatile and can accommodate larger and more elaborate designs. They can also move at a consistent speed, allowing for precise synchronization with performances or other elements of the parade.

Parade floats with a “Red Deer Westerner Days” theme feature cowboy and cowgirl figures, colorful signs, and event dates July 17-21, 2019. The vibrant float is parked in a lot with trees and cars in the background.

A colorful parade float, one of the standout parade floats, is decorated with large flowers, a sunflower, a ladybug, and bees. Featuring a Cenovus sign and the slogan Together We’re Better, the float rolls down a street lined with city buildings.

Towed Floats:

Towed floats are not equipped with their own built-in propulsion systems like engines or motors. Instead, they are towed or pulled along the parade route by a separate towing vehicle, such as a truck or tractor. These types of floats can be quite large, built on a flatbed trailer or other platform.

A red pickup truck with SKIP branding tows one of the parade floats, featuring oversized models of a drink, ice cream cone, fries, burger, and hot dog on a rainbow platform, all set outdoors under a blue sky.

A young boy stands in front of a parade float adorned with a large bear, rocks, and trees under a Crowsnest Pass banner. A fire truck is parked beside the colorful parade float on a sunny day.

Floats with Performers:

Floats that host live performers, such as dancers, musicians, or actors, offer a dynamic and interactive element to the parade. These floats not only engage the audience but also elevate the entertainment factor, turning the parade into a spectacular show. They include specialty safety equipment or seatbelts to secure people to the platform.

A group of people in blue uniforms pull a large wooden parade float labeled Maytag Power Washer during a parade. One person stands on the float, raising a hat, while crowds watch from the sidewalks.

A parade float features a large basset hound with a man tipping his hat while riding it. People in blue costumes and hats walk beside one of the city's most whimsical parade floats, as onlookers enjoy the lively scene amid city buildings.

The Benefits of Parade Floats

Visual Impact: Parade floats have an undeniable visual impact. Their vibrant colors, impressive designs, and thematic elements capture the audience’s attention, making them a memorable part of any parade.
Storytelling: Floats are powerful storytellers. They convey stories, cultural heritage, and brand messages effectively, creating a connection with the audience.
Community Engagement: Parade floats provide opportunities for community involvement. They foster a sense of unity and pride as individuals and groups come together to create and showcase their floats.
Advertising and Promotion: For businesses and organizations, parade floats serve as effective marketing tools. They reach a wider audience and promote products, services, or causes in a fun and engaging way.
Entertainment Value: Above all, parade floats contribute to the overall entertainment of the parade. Their creativity, performances, and captivating presence add to the festive atmosphere, ensuring that everyone has a good time.

We recieved a million likes both here and internationally from our social posts promoting our parade float. Unbelievable!
– Leader feedback from the Nigerian Canadian Association of Calgary

Tips for Creating a Successful Parade Float

Planning and Theme Selection: Choose a compelling theme that resonates with your audience and your brand.
Budgeting and Resource Management: Consider your budget and explore cost-effective ways to source materials and support for your float project. Allocating marketing budgets and fundraising can go a long way to making your float a reality.
Design and Construction: Find an experienced company that can guide you through the build process – Imagination Design Studios has been building floats for 30 years!
Safety and Regulations: Adhere to safety guidelines and parade regulations to ensure the well-being of participants and spectators.
Promotion and Participation: Promote your participation in the parade and engage the community to make your float a memorable part of the event. Get your float all over social media! Show off the build process and build momentum.

Parade Float Design: Turning Your Brand into a Moving Story

Great parade float design starts with one clear idea that people can read from across the street. Pick a single theme, a hero character or object, and two or three brand colors. Build height into the design so the float stands out above the crowd, and keep your logo large and simple.

If you plan to use the float again, design it as a reusable display that can move to events, storefronts or lobbies after parade day.

Parade Floats Are Great for Business

For businesses, a float works like a moving billboard: it puts your brand in front of a big, happy crowd, and the build itself makes great social media content.

Parade floats are the heart and soul of parades, adding enchantment, storytelling, and entertainment to these celebratory events. Floats play a vital role in creating memorable experiences for communities around the world.

So next time you attend a parade, take a moment to appreciate the magic and creativity that parade floats bring to the festivities.

Parade Float FAQs

A parade float is a decorated platform or vehicle that moves along a parade route. Floats tell a story or promote a group, business or cause, using sculptures, signs, lights and sometimes performers.

Floats are usually built on a trailer or vehicle frame, with lightweight materials like foam, wood and fabric shaped into sculptures and scenes. Durable coatings protect the pieces if the float will be reused.

Most floats are towed by a truck or tractor, built on top of a car or trailer, or pushed by hand for smaller parades. The decor is built around the vehicle so the driver stays hidden.

Yes. A well-built float can be stored and brought out for future parades, or turned into a display for events and storefronts, which makes it a longer-lasting marketing piece.