Behind the Scenes of Smyly Sickwitit Parade Readiness: The Work You Don’t See

When the parade starts, the music is loud, the crowd is smiling, and the Smyly Sickwitit float looks effortless.

What most people don’t see is the months of preparation, creativity, coordination, and financial investment that happen long before the first step is taken down the route.

This blog highlights my behind-the-scenes role in ensuring that every parade appearance by Smyly Sickwitit is not just a performance—but a fully produced, professional experience.

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Creating New Music Based on Past Parade Engagements

The Smyly Sickwitit Parade performances aren’t treated as repeats—they’re treated as evolutions.

After each parade season, I review:

    •    Crowd reactions

    •    Tempo effectiveness

    •    Which moments created the biggest energy spikes

From that data, I create new songs or rework arrangements inspired directly by previous parade engagements. This ensures the music stays fresh, relevant, and optimized for outdoor, moving audiences.

Goal:

Deliver music that works in motion, not just on a stage.

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Designing New Clothing for Parade Presence

Visual identity matters as much as sound.

Behind the scenes, I’m actively designing new clothing and performance looks tailored specifically for parade environments.

This includes:

    •    High-visibility designs

    •    Branding that reads clearly from sidewalks and balconies

    •    Comfort and durability for long routes and weather conditions

Every outfit is intentional—it’s part performance, part branding, part storytelling.

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Building the Playlist & DJ’n Live While Performing

Parade performance is not “press play and walk.”

I personally:

    •    Curate a custom Smyly Sickwitit parade playlist

    •    Blend my original records with crowd-moving transitions

    •    DJ live while performing, adjusting in real time based on the crowd’s energy

This dual role requires technical preparation, timing, and deep crowd awareness—especially in environments where sound conditions change block by block.

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Creating the Marketing Materials

Before the float ever rolls, the promotion has already started.

Behind the scenes, I handle:

    •    Digital marketing assets

    •    Branded visuals

    •    Messaging that aligns with parade themes and sponsors

    •    Content that supports visibility before, during, and after the event

This ensures that the parade appearance has extended life beyond parade day, benefiting sponsors, organizers, and the brand as a whole.

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Engaging Sponsors & Coordinating the Float

Parade readiness also means business coordination.

I actively:

    •    Engage with new sponsors

    •    Communicate expectations and visibility opportunities

    •    Coordinate sponsor placement on the float

    •    Ensure alignment between sponsors, parade rules, and brand values

This role bridges creative vision and logistical execution, making sure every partnership is represented professionally and respectfully.

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Covering Up-Front Costs & Float-Related Expenses

One of the most overlooked realities of parade performance is the up-front investment.

Behind the scenes, I personally manage and cover:

    • Promotional clothing and accessories

    •    Float construction and customization

    •    Sound equipment

    •    DJ and performance gear

    •    Transportation and setup logistics

    •    Marketing and promotional materials

These costs are absorbed long before parade day to ensure everything runs smoothly when the public sees it.

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Why Parade Readiness Is More Than Performance

What looks like a fun, high-energy moment on the street is actually the result of:

    •    Strategic planning

    •    Creative development

    •    Financial commitment

    •    Technical execution

    •    Community and sponsor coordination

Parade readiness is production-level work, and every detail contributes to a performance that feels seamless to the audience.

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Final Thought

Parades don’t just happen—they’re built.

From music creation and clothing design to live DJ and vocal performance, marketing, sponsorship coordination, and financial investment, my behind-the-scenes role ensures that every Smyly Sickwitit parade appearance delivers energy, professionalism, and real community impact.

When the float passes and the crowd cheers, that moment represents months of unseen work—done with intention, pride, and respect for the culture.