- Circus Postercircus image by Nicemonkey from Fotolia.com
Everyone loves a parade, and everyone loves a circus, so why not combine the two? Having a circus float in a parade brings the ring-top ring-side for the parade spectators. Use the parade route to show case your talents, thrill the audience with daring feats and dazzle the onlookers with surprises galore. - Three acrobats performingtissu a??rien image by David Monjou from Fotolia.com
Use a circus theme to create the most talked about float of the parade. After wrapping the trailer with red and gold festooning and fringe, build a large red and white tent. Prop the side flaps open with hay bales and line the floor with loose hay. Create a circus atmosphere with clowns walking and performing alongside the float, and use stationary or mechanical animals to mimic the center ring. Large elephants could do a balancing act while a lion-tamer puts his cats through the paces. - Wrap your trailer with bright colors, but keep the decor to a minimum. Build a strong, solid structure that will support a trapeze, tight-rope and other aerial acts. If you do not have trained aerial artists, use dressed up mannequins or large dolls to simulate the stunts. If you do have trained aerial artists, be sure your float is large enough to accommodate them and keep them safe. They do not have to perform elaborate acts, but could simply be swinging on a trapeze, or balancing on a tight-rope.
- Two circus clownsclowns image by itsallgood from Fotolia.com
After disguising the base of the trailer set your main prop, a clown car, in the center. This can be an old Volkswagen, Pinto or any other small car. You could even use a child's ride-on toy. Then load as many clowns as possible into, on and around the car. These can be dolls, mannequins or live clowns. Be sure to play circus music and let the chaos ensue. Big shoes, rubber noses, squirting bouquets and more, this clown-car float will delight all ages.
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