Quicksburg, Virginia: American Celebration On Parade

Awesomely creepy. Huge, wild, sometimes pathetic and always odd parade floats! A little patriotic, and a little alarming. Very American without a doubt. Some of the ones around the edges are coming apart in terrifying ways. I loved it.

They've added a museum of agricultural equipment across the street, and a museum of 1920s and 1930s window displays in the cavern's lobby. We only visited the floats, but it did cost $10 per person.

American Celebration On Parade is awesome! Wife and kids loved it!

The American Celebration on Parade tries to educate the public on parade float design and exhibition. Many large scale floats litter the large warehouse, with small fragments and figures lining the walls and ceiling. I was the only person in the place when I visited, adding a slightly creepy feel to the whole thing.

The un-advertised bonus is that some of the floats still work, and allow you to push a button in order to turn them on. One sign said that floats come and go, so check back regularly. For $16 (AAA discount) a shot, though, I'm not sure anyone really can. Admission for the caverns is included. I'm not sure if there are normally tour guides -- I walked through on my own.

The Statue of Liberty stands outside. Across a paved road is a large bug-like structure. On the path from the caverns to the warehouse are flag poles which were used in the Olympics.

From the brochure: "... Unlike anything you've ever seen before. You'll experience the pomp and pageantry of famous parade floats and be enchanted by their entertaining animation..... From the glamour of the Rose Parade to the grandeur of Presidential Inaugural celebrations, you'll see it all!"

We could feel the excitement build as we drove up and saw the Statue of Liberty (from the 2000 Rose Parade) and then a clown greeting us in the parking lot. Before we walked in we could see a giant Jack in the Box type thing inside. The admission price was well worth it! These floats are so colorful and fantastic in person... and they are huge! Television does not do them justice. We felt like we'd walked into the Land of Oz.

The admission price also included "Main Street America" an exhibit of animated, antique store window displays. You have to go to the entrace of the caverns at the top of the hill, but it is well worth it since it is included in the ticket price.