How To Build A Parade Float

Parade-float artisan's goal: Build it big

Building a parade float packed with surprises has become a mission for Upper Arlington's Scott Easton.

For five years, the 46-year-old Fairfax Road resident has created rolling masterpieces: a clipper ship with telescoping sails (to avoid overhead power lines), a western stockade with rifles, and a half-scale replica of the space shuttle with flashing lights and retractable wings (to avoid parade-goers).

He hopes to eclipse his previous entries in today's Upper Arlington Civic Association parade, where he'll command a tank, complete with a working hatch door, a flash mob of "soldiers" and a rotating turret.

The parade theme is "Bring your A-game."

"I'm trying to project something that's big, awesome and inspiring," said Easton, a father of three and a former Army sergeant who oversaw a heavy anti-armor squadron in the first Gulf War. "Go big, or stay home."

His float-making odyssey began five years ago when he and neighbors decided to build a float on a whim. And while the city parade has a long history of floats built on trailers and cars, Easton envisioned something larger. "I could do a really big float on a bus," he recalled thinking.

Easton found a retired 1986 International Harvester for $500, removed the top and seats to create a construction platform and welcomed his neighbors to grab nails, salvaged lumber and power tools.

Each June, he dons aviator goggles, drives the semi-roadworthy hulk up Rt. 33 from its West Side storage spot and transforms it into a showpiece.

"What really makes a float stand out is the details," he said. This year's entry, for example, will blast flour "smoke" from its turret gun.

He sees his quest to one-up himself - and competing floats - as a way to rally his community and inspire youngsters.

"Our goal is to celebrate the Fourth and the uniqueness of this country,"

Easton said. "But what makes the country unique is people's ability to get along and work with each other."

The philosophy has taken hold in his neighborhood.

"My contribution is giving my yard and driveway," said Kristi Brice, who parks on the street in June as her side yard and driveway become a makeshift shop. "I don't mind."

Another neighbor offers a 60-foot-long garage in case of rain.

Others bring food and children to help with the "pomping," which involves stuffing florets of black and gold paper into the chicken-wire frame. Pomping paper costs about $800 a year. Neighbor donations and a $500 civic association subsidy per float help with expenses.

Chuck Does Art: DIY Super Fast Super Easy Cardboard City Skyline ...

I recently was tasked with building a city skyline for a parade float.  As usual, I used cardboard and duct tape as most of my materials, along with some spray paint.  I had to make a lot of buildings, so I figured out a basic form and then made slight variations to make the buildings vaguely unique.  I also ended up doing some specific buildings from the St Paul skyline, but those were just variations on my generic buildings.  Note: many times when I say 'I' in this post I mean 'we,' thanks Cynthia!

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