For us, it begins with a conversation with our client. Our process starts with our client’s big picture and works inward from there. We explore the story world (location, context), and balance traditional, evergreen, concepts with new and original ideas.
Like cars, costs vary widely. A small hometown parade (for example, a 4th of July walking parade) might cost around $1,000. A major theme park parade, using reliable electric or gas- powered chassis systems, and featuring as many as 100 costumed performers, can cost $8 million and up.
Typically, in small parades, each float may have its own independent sound system, or on- board audio, creating a fun, chaotic mix of overlapping music. In larger or more advanced parades, audio is treated like a moving show: coordinated layers of sound synchronized to make each unit part of the cohesive performance.
Safety is considered in every stage of production, from blue sky design to final implementation. Among the many ways safety manifests in design, a few critical elements are: Driver visibility, detection systems, emergency stop controls, speed limiters, performer safety harnesses, and crowd protection.
The parades that take place in the Sambadromo in Rio de Janeiro are often cited as the biggest in the world. These parades are organized by Samba Schools, and each have huge floats and hundreds of performers. The Sambadromo can host up to 100,000 people. The Rose Parade in Pasadena, California is an annual parade that has one of the longest parade routes at over five miles.
Most major parades, such as the Rose Parade or Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, have their own awards. Industry awards also exist, such as the Brass Ring Award (IAAPA) and the THEA Award (Themed Entertainment Association).
Parades and processions date back to ancient times. One of the oldest ongoing parades is the Lord Mayor’s Show in London, which was formerly held on the River Thames. Because they used decorated barges, some say is where the term “float” originated. Similar traditions in Japan, China, and India also date back centuries.
Mardi Gras is, in fact, a series of parades! Mardi Gras is the final day of the Carnival season in New Orleans, Louisiana. Parades begin as early as January 6 (Epiphany) and continue through the two weekends before Fat Tuesday. The biggest parades and balls occur Saturday through Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Each parade is sponsored by a Krewe—a social organization that funds and stages it.
At Miziker, float size is determined by the route’s parameters. A support structure is built onto a chassis system, then scenic elements and performers are added. Smaller hometown parades might use trucks or tractors pulling trailers. We design floats that look impressive from a distance and reveal fun surprises up close, avoiding the “sheet cake” boxy format whenever possible.
At Miziker, we believe that parades are moving shows and the most important aspect is the performance. Performances start with great music either from marching bands, live performers, or prerecorded songs, and everything else follows. From there you add performers in costume, choreographed dance, VIPs, amazing float designs and large scenic elements. The scenic elements are mounted on chassis which can be specially designed or adapted from existing drive systems. Of course horses and other animals can enhance the spectacle, and you’ll also definitely need a good parade route.
Scenic elements are often made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic or vacuum-formed plastics. Whatever the material, the goal is to create large, colorful, and unusual shapes. In some parades it’s all about celebrating the materials, like the flower floats in the Rose Parade or the giant helium balloons featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
You can study theater design or themed entertainment design. Every year schools around the world expand their offerings in the themed design space. Schools like SCAD and Carnegie Mellon have led the way in this field.
Of course! Two of our favorites are Rose Parade designers, Raul Rodriguez and John Ramirez. Raul Rodriguez revolutionized float design for the Rose Parade, transforming decorated cars and wagons into spectacular showpieces. John Ramirez, known for his animation and character design background, brought dynamic show-action equipment and cartoon-inspired creativity to his Rose Parade floats. Another influential parade designer is Peter Minshall, whose innovative designs transformed Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival parade tradition into performance art.
Yes. In fact, there’s a book titled “Parades: A Year in Celebration.” Parades occur worldwide year-round, each one reflecting its local culture and traditions.
It depends on who you ask! For kids, seeing a beloved Disney character wave to them from atop a colorful float can be the highlight of a childhood, whereas someone else might point you towards the wonderful madness of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. There are Day of the Dead Parades in Mexico, Diwali processions throughout India, boat parades, Pride parades, even Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade, and everybody’s got their favorite.
Absolutely. Most parades rely on hundreds of volunteers to build, paint, march or dance in, and drive or ride on floats. Parades are welcoming civic celebrations—everyone can take part. You
can even organize your own, like a community bike parade.
Fire effects in parades range from traditional torches, like the flambeaux used in Mardi Gras parades, to advanced propane flame jets, cold sparks, and LED flame simulations. Modern parades often use controlled theatrical fire systems synchronized to music. With proper safety, fire can be fun!
Disney’s original Main Street Electrical Parade used strings of standard incandescent Christmas lights. Today’s parades use advanced technology—up to a million individually programmed RGB LEDs synchronized with the show, plus fiber optics and LED screens integrated into costumes and floats.
It depends on the story you want to tell! We think of parades as moving shows made up of units. Each unit is a “scene” that may include musicians, dancers, puppets, kinetic figures, and floats. Every unit has its own sound design, color palette, fabrics, and story elements. Smaller parades or character cavalcades typically have five units, while larger parades are no fewer than eight unique units, each with an exciting float.
A kinetic figure is a large, human-powered character or creature, often a giant puppet operated by one to three performers. They can stand 10–20 feet tall, with a design that focuses on motion and materials that create expressive, lifelike movement, allowing performers to interact dynamically with the audience. Super fun!