Ashford University employees have been using their artistic talents to create a float for Clinton’s annual Riverboat Days parade set for Friday, July 2. 

“Progress on the float is really coming along fast. I think we’re pros at this now,” reported Sarah Brewer, financial services academic liaison, one of the employees coordinating Ashford’s float-building efforts. 

Until last year, the university’s entry in local parades usually was just a pickup truck carrying “Champ,” Ashford’s St. Bernard mascot, and employees carrying banners. A year ago, a trailer was purchased so more traditional floats could be created. 

“This is our third parade that we’ll be participating in,” Brewer said. “We placed third in last year’s Riverboat Days parade and we also did a float for the Mardi Gras parade in October, which was themed ‘A Pumpkin in Paris.’  We kind of went our own way though with the Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ theme, which was a blast.” 

Brewer explained the “Most Patriotic” theme for this year’s entry. “We’re gearing the float towards our military.  Our plan is to decorate the float in red, white, and blue and to also have the military flags on the float with a soldier (or a few) riding in the float with our mascot, Champ, who will be waving to everyone.  We’ll be having kids and adults in the parade carrying ‘thank you’ signs for our military personnel to show our appreciation for what they do each day.  We’ll also be handing out candy to kids along the sides of the road waiting to see our float.” 

Ashford employees accompanying the float will be wearing specially designed T-shirts that will say “Duty, Honor, Education” on the back.  “We should have about 20 participants for this parade, which is a great turn-out,” Brewer said.  

“Everyone who helped volunteer their time on our last two floats knows what kind of hard work and dedication something like this takes,” Brewer said.  “It’s time consuming, but a ton of fun at the same time; there is never a dull moment!  We’ve had a great time with the last two parades and plan on outdoing anything we’ve done in the past with this being our best float yet.  We’re excited to have our float geared towards the hardworking troops who defend our freedom daily, as there is never a bad time to thank our military for what they do.” 

The Riverboat Days parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. on July 2.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.