For a few hours, a parade float is the center of attention. Music is playing, people are lining the streets, decorations cover every inch, and someone has probably spent weeks making sure everything looks perfect. Then the parade ends. The crowds leave. The streets reopen. And suddenly someone has to answer a very practical question: What are we supposed to do with all of this stuff now? While some parade floats are completely dismantled after an event, many of the decorations, signs, props, frames, costumes, banners, and event supplies can be reused. For businesses and organizations that participate year after year, self storage can provide a dedicated place for those pieces until it's time to start building again.
The Parade Is Over—Now What?
A parade float can take days or even weeks to design and build, only to spend a few hours traveling down the parade route. Once the event ends, the team has to decide what gets saved, what gets repurposed, and what has reached the end of its parade career.
For organizations that participate in annual parades, throwing everything away and starting from zero every year may not make sense. Many of the most time-consuming pieces can potentially be reused.
Does the Whole Float Get Saved?
Sometimes—but not always. A large completed float can be difficult to store because of its height, width, construction, and the trailer or vehicle underneath it.
Instead, many organizations can think of the float in pieces. Decorations come down. Signs are removed. Props are separated. Reusable structural elements are dismantled. What looked like one enormous float during the parade can become a much more manageable collection of components.
What Is Worth Keeping?
Not everything has to survive until next year's parade. Focus on pieces that are durable, reusable, expensive, difficult to recreate, or easy to adapt to another theme.
- Large reusable props
- Signs and banners
- Decorative frames and structures
- Artificial flowers and greenery
- Costumes and accessories
- Fabric and reusable decorative materials
- Event tents and canopies
- Tables and display equipment
- Parade signage
- Organization or company branding
- Storage bins and organizational supplies
- Reusable hardware and assembly pieces
Take Pictures Before You Take It Apart
Everyone remembers exactly how the float went together in November. By next year's parade? Maybe not.
Before teardown begins, take detailed photos of the completed float from several angles. Photograph complicated connections, layered decorations, structural pieces, and anything that may be difficult to remember later.
Create a Parade Storage System
Putting everything into boxes labeled 'Parade' technically counts as organization—but next year's decorating committee may disagree.
Break the float into categories and label everything clearly. If a large prop has several pieces, number them and keep the corresponding hardware together.
- Float decorations
- Large props
- Signs and banners
- Costumes
- Hardware and assembly supplies
- Lighting and accessories
- Event-day supplies
- Tables, tents, and displays
- Reusable branded materials
Protect the Pieces That Took Hours to Make
Some parade decorations are surprisingly delicate. A lightweight prop that looks great from the street may not survive a year with heavy boxes stacked on top of it.
Give fragile pieces enough room, avoid placing heavy items on top of them, and store fabrics and costumes clean and completely dry. Smaller decorations can be placed in labeled containers, while larger pieces may need their own designated area.
Save More Than Just the Float
The float isn't the only thing that comes out for parade day. Organizations may also have tents, tables, signs, branded materials, costumes, banners, event displays, and other supplies that are only used a handful of times each year.
Keeping all of those materials together can make storage useful beyond the float itself. Instead of searching multiple closets and garages before the next event, the organization has one place to start.
Make Next Year's Parade Easier
Good storage isn't just about finding somewhere to put things after this year's parade. It's about making next year's preparation easier.
When decorations are labeled, props are protected, and reusable pieces are inventoried, the planning committee can see what it already has before designing the next float.
- Photograph everything before teardown
- Label every container
- Keep hardware with its matching pieces
- Record basic measurements of large props
- Note damaged pieces that need repairs
- Keep a simple inventory of reusable materials
- Place frequently reused event supplies toward the front
Storage for More Than One Event
Parade supplies often overlap with other events throughout the year. Tents may be used at community festivals. Tables and banners can go to recruiting events. Decorative pieces may be adapted for holiday celebrations. Branded displays can appear at local events.
Instead of treating each event as a completely separate project, organizations can create one organized collection of reusable event materials and rotate them throughout the year.
Give the Office Closet a Break
Without dedicated storage, parade decorations have a way of finding some interesting temporary homes. The giant snowflake ends up behind someone's desk. The banner lives in the conference room. A box of decorations occupies the supply closet until someone finally asks why it's still there in July.
Moving reusable event supplies into a dedicated storage space can keep everyday workspaces available for everyday work while still keeping parade materials ready for their next appearance.
Final Thoughts
So, what happens to parade floats after the parade? In many cases, the float as everyone saw it may disappear—but plenty of its pieces can live to parade another day.
With a little planning, reusable props, decorations, signs, costumes, event supplies, and float components can stay organized between appearances. Modern Storage® can provide the extra space businesses and organizations need to keep those materials out of the way now and ready for the next big event.
What happens to parade floats when a parade is over?
It depends on the organization and the float. Some floats are dismantled completely, while reusable decorations, props, signs, frames, and supplies may be saved for future parades or other events.
Can parade decorations be reused?
Absolutely. Banners, signs, artificial greenery, props, decorative structures, costumes, and other pieces may be reused or redesigned for future events if they're still in good condition.
How should parade decorations be organized for storage?
Sort items by type or event, clearly label containers, photograph complicated displays before dismantling them, and keep hardware with the pieces it belongs to. Larger decorations should be stored so they aren't crushed by heavier items.
Can an entire parade float be stored?
That depends on the float's size, construction, trailer, and available storage options. A complete float may require specialized space, while decorations and removable components may fit into a traditional storage unit. Contact the facility about options for larger items.
Who can benefit from storing parade and event supplies?
Businesses, schools, nonprofits, churches, clubs, event planners, community organizations, and other groups that participate in recurring parades or events may benefit from having a dedicated place for reusable materials.
Storage options, unit sizes, access features, and amenities vary by Modern Storage® facility. Large floats, trailers, or vehicles may require specialized storage and may not fit within a traditional storage unit. Contact your Modern Storage® facility to discuss available options for larger items.