CONGRATULATIONS Minions for placing within the top 6 best floats in the 2016 Fantasy Fest Parade, winning the "Locals’ Favorite" Award. Great Job. Thanks to Bob D'Antonio and Jeff Loucheim for help with construction, Cheryl Wellman our Seductive Water Demon, and all our other Geats, Danes and Barbarians for helping make this float happen.
All photos Dress code 2016 YouTube video Editor's Pick Christmas Parade 2016 The Minions introduces an entirely new form of float building to the Fantasy Fest parade inspired by the EXQUISITE Nebuta floats of Amori Japan. Unlike most traditional American floats, these types of floats are lighted from inside and more closely resemble a traditional Japanese Paper Lantern. 
Construction begins with the help of American Master Bob D'Antonio with a basic frame made from 3 inch PVC tubing. Again, chicken wire and drop-ceiling-wire is used to help build up the general shape of the object.. 
Chicken wire is attached with zip ties, then the entire piece is covered with bubble wrap. Regular bed sheets are spray glued to the bubble wrap, and painted 2 tone blue with an airless spray gun. The piece is lit from inside with a series of rope lights running through the interior of the body. 
You won't see the full effect at the Judge's Stand, or the Media Stand (because of their use of over-lit flood lighting), but under natural lighting conditions and along the darker sections of the parade route this float comes to life and brings a hint of the Nebuta masters to the streets of Key West. Brad Valek Vehicles and generator Justin and Hannah Driver Bob D'Antonio, Jeff Loucheim, Doug Williams Construction Cheryl Golden Water Demon Brian Beowulf Dave Williams Craft service Eliot and Marilou Beads and generous donations Eric April Beads and video Minions Crew Donations and awesome costumes Please join us again next year for "Time Travels Unraveled" in the 2017 Fantasy Fest Parade. ©2016, the Minions of Key West minions@islandalien.com |