Ou school was just in our small town's Memorial Day parade and we did something I thought was pretty cool. We had TONS of balloons in our school colors attached to a flatbed and we handed them out along the parade route to current students and alumni.

I didn't think about the length of the parade. Our local parade is about 1/2 a mile but my older kids have marched in halloween parades that were at least two miles so that would make a big difference. Since raesmom lives in Northern California, I don't think hot weather is going to be a big problem but drinks available at both ends would surely be helpful.

Originally posted by raesmom:
Our PTO will be in our towns annual 4th of July Parade and we need some ideas. Any ideas will help.

Could parents pull the kids in wagons, and the kids could decorate the wagons in some theme! AND they can have their pets ride also.

Thanks for the ideas. I will bring them up at our committee meeting. I didn't even think about drinks and the long wait. So this is something I will bring up to the parents before we start.
You can all come if your in the Northern California area. Come visit the "Gate way to the Redwoods." Willits Ca population 5700.
thanks again

I would think about how hot it will be and how long the parade is when considering having kids do anything but ride a float.

I've been in several parades. I think riding in the back of a truck is better for little ones if they might get too hot and tired. Most parades I have been in go slow and start slow. We always ended up standing or waiting 2-3 hours in direct sun. The time waiting for your turn to start in the parade should be considered too.

Have lots of cool drinks for the participants. Did I mention to dress coolly? It should go without saying to wear lots of sunscreen.

The Fourth of July is often the hottest time of the year. Heat exhaustion feels like the flu or even strep. It is very uncomfortable.

Here are some ideas that are fun and pretty easy:

Attach a colorful animal shaped kite to a long pole. Carry the pole or attach it to the back of a bike.

Girls like ribbon dancing. You don't have to have a routine to make it fun to watch. Oriental Trading Company (oriental.com) has some that are inexpensive. They also have red, white and blue cheerleading pompoms, beach balls and kites.

Clown costumes are pretty easy and can be very light weight.

If you have a lot of people walking, you can have a few alternating lines of red and white dressed people with the front corner people wearing blue shirts with white stars. (Is that hokey?)

The parade that I saw that was the most fun to watch was the graduation parade in Coimbra Portugal. Every float threw out trinkets, food or drinks. The participants rode in the back of trucks without lots of decorations. But it was a blast because the audience had to get someone's attention to have something thrown to them. It was a lot of fun and very loud.

Can I come? This is making me want to join in. Where's your parade?

Have the kids decorate their bikes and ride them in the parade. A couple of older kids or parents could walk in front of the bike riders with a banner. You could have a decorating party the day - or even a couple of hours before the parade. Sounds like fun!