With school back in session and football season in full swing, your hometown is probably getting ready to celebrate homecoming. If you have a high school student or you tend to volunteer or work for the school then you may be asked to take part in the homecoming parade. If you’ve ever designed a homecoming float then you probably know they aren’t the cheapest things to create, especially if you’re working from scratch. There are a few ways to avoid the high prices of the float though, which should allow you to go all out without having to stress over the budget. With these ten float based ideas, you’ll enjoy coming up with your float because it will be less stress and more about the joy of celebrating the school’s homecoming.
1. Borrow a Trailer
One of the key components to a float is having something to put it on. This can be one of the priciest elements of the entire float, which will quickly become the basis of your budget. If you don’t have a trailer of your own, then borrowing one from someone is probably the best thing you can do. Try asking friends and family to lend a helping hand with this, but if no one you know has one then there are other means. You may want to put out a listing on the bulletin board at school or pass the word around that you’re in need of a trailer. Of course, before you commit to borrowing just a trailer you should make sure your vehicle can haul one. If not, you may need to borrow a vehicle too. Renting these items from a company can set you back hundreds, so make sure you start looking for someone to borrow the item from well in advance.
2. Use Recyclables
When it comes to creating shapes and decorations for the float, a lot of people will end up spending a small fortune. This is never a great idea, especially when you have all the supplies you need at your disposal. Try looking around the home to see if you have any recyclables that will come in handy. You can even take to the school to see what they have to offer. Even local businesses may be willing to lend a helping hand if you tell them what you need the supplies for. Once you have your recyclables, try shaping the cardboard into the shapes you need to make your float look amazing. You will be surprised how well some used cardboard and tape can be transformed into a float that will knock the parade’s socks off. You can also use items like oatmeal containers, cereal boxes and so on to create some of the hard to make shapes. If you really want to stand out then crushed bottles and cans can be strung from the back of your float in order to make some noise.
3. Channel Holiday Decor
If you’re looking for a little bling for your float then look no further than the holiday decor you use every season. You can use lots of lights to make your float come to life, which is sure to make everyone applause your float’s artistic style. If you can, try to find lights that suit your team’s colors to make the effect even greater. You can also ask if anyone has donations to help make your dream come true. You can use Halloween spotlights, fog machines and other fun items to make your float stand out. Don’t feel bad about using blow up decor either, especially if it pertains to your team or the team you will be playing against. If you’re looking for a cheap option then decorate with plenty of garland. If you don’t already have a lot of this holiday staple then grab it off a clearance website in advance. You’ll save a small fortune and your float will be filled with color.
4. Old Flowers
A lot of floats decide to use flowers to bring their floats to life. Although this is a beautiful way to make a bold statement, it is also one of the most expensive ways to do so too. Instead of ordering new flowers to get the job done, you may want to ask a florist if they have old flowers you can use. Sometimes florist will get bulk orders in for homecoming that never get picked up. You may be able to order these at a small discount to help save you money. Of course, sometimes florist will have a wide assortment of flowers they never sold, so if you’re not picky with colors or species of flowers then this is also a good option. If you’re lucky then you may even receive the flowers as donation. Although you may not make the quota you need there are a few ways to make the flowers look thicker on your float. For instance, you can use paper flowers to help with the design, or you can go all out and purchase fake flowers.
5. Take to the Streets
Your time in the parade doesn’t have to be all about the float either. If you feel as if you need to bring more life to your float then take it to the streets. Grab people to help you make your float stand out. You can have people skate or cycling beside the float with crazy costumes or even football or cheerleader uniforms. Adding bright flashing lights to people can also make your float send a bold message. Even asking people to carry balloons to pass out to children as you move down the parade street will make you a joy to see. The slightest add-ons to your float, like eco-friendly confetti will make a big difference in your presentation! The more excited the people on your float team are, the crazier your float will look, which is sure to make you one of the top displays if your float is being judged.
6. Motivational Music
When it comes down to it, your float can look like the Taj Mahal, but if there is a rival float that has inspirational music then chances are they’re going to get a bit more attention out of the deal. Luckily, it doesn’t take a whole lot to add some music to your float. One of the easiest ways to do this is to hook up better speakers to the vehicle and let the music rip. Try to choose classic football game music to help make the crowd go wild. If you don’t have better speakers then see if you can borrow them from someone or even as if you can check them out from the music department. Of course, if your float supports the band then you should already be covered when it comes to your musical needs.
7. Consider Weather
Since many homecoming games end up in the autumn months there’s a good chance you may have to battle the weather. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to give up on your float. Making proper preparations is an easy way to keep your float in the parade even when the rain decides to take over your homecoming fun. Adding a large tarp to the float will help protect your creation from the rain as well. All you need is some extra poles to help secure it. Of course, this may mean driving slower, so the tarp doesn’t catch a lot of wind. You should protect the people helping out with your float too. This is especially important if they’re wearing clothing they will need to be in all evening. One quick way to do this is to transform trash bags into tunics. This should fit most people and will allow you to save a lot of money.
8. Follow Your Theme
It’s incredibly easy for you to go overboard when it comes to your float, which is why you may want to plan ahead and come up with a theme to make sure you don’t stray too far from the path. One of the easiest ways to do this is to choose your theme based on the club or course that you are supporting. Try to pick something that will stand out while sending a message. For instance, if you’re supporting theater club then you can easily do a simple skit on your float to draw in the eye. This will cut lots of money from your projects budget and will ensure you get the recognition you deserve. Following a theme makes finding donated items a whole lot easier too as you’ll be able to find shops that will relate to your theme easier, thus making them more willing to help out.
9. Pass Out Items
Another way to get the message across without spending a fortune on your float is to pass out items. The crowd will find your float more memorable, especially since they will have a reminder of it whenever they look at the print out you shared. To save money, you can even print out flyers on recycled paper. The ecofriendly paper will make your group look great to the public too, which is sure to help your float gain some morale. Of course, passing out other items with the flyers will allow you make a bold statement too. For instance, you can buy poppers in bulk and pass them out to the adults in the crowd. These are perfect for the moment when your team wins the game. If you’re promoting a business then keychains, pens and other namesake items are a must. Of course, cheap candy is always a great idea and will win over children right away.
10. Run a Fundraiser
Paying for your float may not always be possible, so you may want to consider running a few fundraisers before you need to begin building your float. You can easily stick with the classics here or help make your dream float a reality. For instance, you can try car washes, bake sales and yard sales. If you’re promoting the art club then you may want to host an auction to help bring self-esteem to the students as well as earning some money for your float. You may even be able to convince some companies to run a fundraiser for you. This often means leaving out a tip jar to bring in collections, but every little bit will help you in your task.
Building the perfect float for homecoming can certainly give you a run for your money, but with these ten ideas you can easily find the best way to make it a reality. With any luck, your float is sure to make a commotion at the parade, which is sure to make you feel proud for your achievement and the frugal budget you used to pull it off.
