Can anyone give me ideas for parades. I am new to clowning and will be in a parade in a couple of weeks.

Cook E Jar

What ever you do don't just walk along throwing candy. Find somthing silly to do, pass out fruit loops and call them donutseeds. Make up a tray of cups and walk along saying free shakes, when somone asks for one shake your body.

If this is your first parade bring lots of water and put some icepacks in your costume. If the parade doesn't end where it begins make sure you have a ride back to where you parked. A mile and a half long parade becomes 3 miles if you have to walk all the way back.
Good luck.

Looney Ballooney

I do 3-4 parades a year. I do what's called "curb work". (That's walking along side the ongoing parade) I like this method because I get to take my time and interact with the people. I've found being in a set position in the parade very rushed. I also always carry a comical prop. NEVER toss candy, etc. to the kids! I shutter each time I see groups doing this. The kids will run into the street to get the candy, not looking at what may be coming next in the parade - like maybe a fire truck.

Buttonstclown

Yeah, go to the bathroom before the parade- and don't walk behind the elephants!!!!!!!. Actually besides those comments, wear comfortable shoes, and if you carry props, make sure that they are light- a long parade with a heavy load is no fun. take time to shake hands- juggle if you can--or cannot- and be outgoing with a smile --have fun , tobie

Hello, I do 3-4 parades a year.Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes.Try putting those gel inserts in your shoes for extra support.Take a few different props with you,as well as stickers if you want to hand out something to children.DO NOT throw candy to the children,as many of them will run towards you,and can get hurt if there are floats or cars around you.Don't take heavy props with you as they tend to get heavy as you walk the parade route.Make sure that you have some bottled water in your car.You will need it once the parade is over with. Good luck.

I've only ever partaken in one parade, and I volunteered for that (for free).

Do you get hired for parades, and is it sort of the same fee per hour as other work or is it more or less?

I'd love to do a parade, but haven't had the opportunity yet. Sounds like fun though!
Jubillee

Just like the others said don't throw candy, many parades have rule aganinst this now, as children have gotten injuried, plus you never know who's diabetic, if you give out stickers, the small colored stickers you find in the stationary depart [wal-mart], red, blue, green, yellow, work great as free clown noses. I know they don't look it but some one suggested it to me and the kidsl line up for these things. Works every time [just have to look at them through kid eyes] :D

I did a parade back in july and I just walked around, shook hands and clowned. Another clown I worked with was passing out non-pareils ( look in the baking aisle,think sprinkles) in little pouches and called them "rainbow seeds".... And smartly attached her business card them. I would suggest a simple walkaround prop, like "My Toyota". Check out the walk around prop thread. A camera is my next walk around to build. Take their picture, and show them a chimp with a big cheesy smile on his face.
A pocket squeaker in a great walk around prop. Walk around and shake hands with people and beep a few kids on the nose.