Recognize the floats and ambassadors of the San Juan parade.
Floats are a tradition at the Colombian Folk Festivaleach one tells a story and its construction is a creative and laborious process.
The master coachbuilder together with his team of carverswallpaperers, painters and framers are in charge of:
Design and planning:
Artists and designers create sketches and plan the float’s theme. This includes deciding what cultural, historical or folkloric aspects will be represented.
The size, shape and necessary materials are determined.
The basic structure:
A base structure is built using wood, metal or lightweight materials. This structure will serve as a support for the decoration.
Wheels or mobility systems are installed so that the float can parade.
A creative decoration:
Artists apply layers of paper mache, cardboard, fabric, or similar materials to shape the float.
They paint and decorate the surface with vibrant colors, intricate details and representative elements.
Decorations and details:
Decorations such as flowers, figures, flags, lights and other decorative elements are added.
Some floats even incorporate moving mechanisms, such as figures that move or rotate.
The finish and protection:
Coats of varnish or sealants are applied to protect the float from the elements.
They make sure that all elements are securely fastened to prevent them from coming loose during the parade.P
Testing and adjustments:
Before the parade, tests are performed to make sure the float moves correctly and that all the details are in place.
Ready to participate in the parade:
Finally, the floats join the parade, where they are displayed with pride and enthusiasm.
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