North Carolina s annual GLBT Pride Parade 1. Banners How to make your Marching Group more festive! Most groups have made banners in past prides. They usually are about 3 x 10 feet in size and can display your group and it s logo. The can be hand-made or can be made at sign shops for about $100. If you need a banner for your group or club and do not have access to a sign shop, please contact us and we will assist you. There are several shops in the Durham area that the Pride Committee has used. The banners can also be placed above your tent at the festival after the parade.
Don t be afraid to make your banner larger or higher. Banners are much more interesting if they can be seen above the marchers.
2. Flags There can be nothing more effective to creative color and action in a marching group than a color guard of flags. We would suggest rainbow flags and American flags and NC state flags. If you are from out of state please bring your state flag. The local Latino Group Hola intends to parade with flags from Mexico, and South America. If your city has a flag, borrow it and bring it! Last year, a group of swing dancers created the best mood by swinging the flags with the band music. We can assist you or your group, if you need to purchase rainbow or any state flag. We can also assist you for a special flag for your group. Last year, the NC Pride Marching Band had six custom flags made for about $155.00 for the set. Just email us at: info@ncpride.org.
3. Balloons Balloons are another fab trick for color and fun, and especially because the color display is above the crowd and marchers. It can be seen far down the street. This year, the Pride Committee will have a balloon tent at the festival to sell rainbow balloons to your group at the beginning of the parade. If you have special needs and or some wonderful creations, please email us to work out the details. We can have your balloons ready when you arrive at the festival. This type of balloon creation needs to be ordered in advance
4. Special Ideas There are always new and creative ideas that can be accomplished using the easiest of materials. The rainbow creation below uses colored paper on a balsa wood frame with one or two 3ft helium balloon inside for lift. For the sailors, why not some nautical flags that spell: GAY They could also be used later in the year when yachting around Wilmington harbor who knows you might even be boarded by the Coast Guard.
We are looking for jugglers, stilt walkers and skaters. In Greensboro in 1999, there was this guy on roller blades.we want him back! An interesting hat always gets attention!
The same goes for the right dress! 5. Large Puppets and Displays The use of large puppets creates a lasting memory.
6. Music We are actively searching for any type of musical group. Bands, bag pipes, African Drums and flute / drums corps. Please contact us if your group performs. 7. Chorus and Singers We are asking all musical groups to consider playing or singing in the parade this year. For singing groups, a tape or cd of your music played from speakers on a convertible directly in front of your chorus or group will give you the volume you need to please the crowd. You just sing along with your own recorded music. We may be able to assist your group with a float. 8. Convertibles and the Rainbow Antique Car Club If you have a convertible and can drive one of our speakers or parade marshals please contact us. We also have formed a club for antique cars. If you have an Interesting car or just love old cars please join our parade.
9. Horse Drawn Carriages If you have access to a carriage in your town, try to bring it. We can assist in transportation and storage details. We are searching for anyone with horse drawn carriages. 10. Horseback riders The same goes for horse back riders.
11. Cyclists We always have a place for cyclists in our parade. Please join us. 12. Motorcycles We are ending this little booklet with what traditionally has been at the front of our parade. The motorcycles. If you would like to lead the parade contact us.
THE PRIDE COMMITTEE OF NORTH CAROLINA WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.ncpride.org EMAIL ADDRESS: info@ncpride.org MAILING ADDRESS: P.O.BOX 466 DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, 27702