First Things First

The first thing I would recommend you do is pray.  This is an assignment from the Lord and therefore you are entitled to His help.  And He will help you if you ask. 

The next thing I would strongly recommend is to go to the parade prior to your years parade if at all possible.  I had never been to the Youth parade before and it was immensely helpful to get a feel for what would be expected of you.  

Take lots of pictures.  

Take pictures of the floats,

take pictures of the parade participants, 

their costumes, 

things they carry, 

and other interesting ideas that you think might be useful to you (like carrying squirt bottles and spraying parade walkers as you walk.  It gets warm).  

At the very least try to attend the Float Preview Party that is held at the Southtowne Expo Center, usually July 22 & 23rd.  Also take note of the different interpretations of the parade theme. 

Overwhelmed?!

Just got assigned to build your stake's float for the days of '47 children's parade?  Feeling very overwhelmed by the whole idea?  My hope is that this blog will help answer some of your questions about the float building and parade process.  Of course everyone's specific circumstances will be different but the basics are the same for everyone.

In The Beginning

My husband and I were assigned by our Stake President to build a float for the 2013 Days of '47 Youth Parade in Salt Lake City, Utah.  This assignment was way out of our realm of possibilities.  We had no idea of what to do or even where to begin.  We are not creative, we are not artists, we are not builders.  We had none of the abilities it takes to build a float.  This blog chronicles our journey in float making, in hopes to help others who find themselves in our situation.

Feel free to ask any questions you have.  I will be happy to answer them if I can!