This project started over a year ago and without all the support and help from Taylor and the kids, our parents, and others from the stake, it wouldn't have happened. I was the activities chairperson in my ward so I was asked in the hallway last May if I would be in charge of the stake float the church assigned to us for 2011. We have worked on it every weekend since March and 1-2 weeknights each week.
A week before the parade, we met at 6:30 am to move it out of the building, finish assembling it and tow it to the expo center for display. Everything went smoothly until we went to tow it about 8:30 am when it wouldn't start again. We determined the key ignition was broken since it had started 3 other times that morning. After talking to the mechanic on the phone who couldn't help until later, we put it in neutral to tow it. Within the first 2 feet, the front end of the float (wooden base) ripped off as we realized the tow bar wasn't welded to the chassis. The men that were with us that day got underneath it and came up with a system as to what metal to purchase and how to weld it so it would work. Now that it was outside, we needed someone to safeguard it at all times and keep some of the petal paper covered from the sun as it will melt or change colors. After trying to find welders with the right equipment that would do it for free, we finally got it fixed. Also, they figured out how to start it without replacing the ignition. You just had to shove a screw driver in and twist it just right. It was a 15 hour day but we finally arrived at the Expo center where the float was on display with all the others for 3 days. It was a lot of fun to be there and answer peoples questions about our float and theme. Our stake is focusing on studying the scriptures so the seagulls are printing scriptures to feast on instead of the crickets.
Here is part of our 'all night' crew that got the float downtown overnight the day before the big Days of '47 parade. The rest of us came at 5:00 am get it touched up for judging and the big parade. They are such great people.
Here is the start of the parade. We were blessed with cloud cover for less heat.
After the parade and stress of towing it back to our city for over 2 hours, we were in the afternoon parade here. The kids were excited to ride on the float thanks to Craig and Bonnie rigging up some hand-holds. Even the night before, we didn't know if we should let the kids ride for safety reasons. They loved climbing under it to get to the driver seat. Here, they are talking to Taylor who drove it.
They threw a lot of candy.
It was hot!!!!
At the end of the day, the best part was Taylor just driving it to our cul-de-sac for the night. Instead of towing it, Craig hopped on the front and told Taylor he would direct him through traffic. They had a blast and it was quite a sight! We ate dinner and Taylor and I climbed into bed and went to sleep at 9:00. The kids loved playing on it that evening and all day the next day...even in the rain.
The next evening, we drove it up to the church for a take down party that took only an hour.
Then we were left with the platform we started with. The kids thought it was great and danced on it like a stage.
Hooray for the float being finished!
