What you need for a light parade

A light parade needs more than lights for the participants. You also need reliable power, spare batteries, route communication, refreshments and serving equipment at the start or rest stops. This shopping list covers the practical items to buy or bring, from LED lanterns and glow sticks to coolers, reusable cups and a megaphone. Check quantities against your registration numbers and route length, then test every battery-powered item before the parade day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 8

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 12
LED lanternsqty 20
Battery lightsqty 180
LED torchesqty 24
Glow sticksqty 200
Spare AA batteriesqty 48
AAA spare batteriesqty 48
Flashlightsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Power banksqty 6
Mobile phone chargersqty 6
Handheld megaphoneqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Power banksqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8
Serving jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving traysqty 12
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kettlesqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Hot drink urnsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 10
Paper lanternsqty 30
Tableclothsqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Balloon weightsqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 6
Chalk markersqty 12

Safety

Reflective vestsqty 20
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Traffic conesqty 20
Safety tapeqty 6
Bandage kitsqty 4
Disposable glovesqty 4

Communication

Directional signsqty 30
Directional signsqty 20
Information boardsqty 6
Program cardsqty 250
Name stickersqty 250
Pensqty 20
Clipboardsqty 8
Floor plansqty 30

Cleaning

Broomqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Cleaning spongesqty 12
Litter pickersqty 4
Washable Cleaning Clothsqty 24
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 6

Other

Cable tiesqty 200
Duct tapeqty 8
Scissorsqty 8
Ropeqty 4
Umbrellasqty 12
Storage cratesqty 20
Lost and found boxesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea selection - 200 bags
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 10 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Mild salsa - 6 jars
- Salt sticks - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 8 bags
- Mini pretzels - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 bags
- Raisins - 3 bags
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 8 trays
- Mandarins - 60 pieces
- Mini cucumbers - 6 packs
- Carrots - 6 bags
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Herb cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Knackwurst - 5 jars
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Mini rolls - 120 pieces
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Wraps - 8 packs
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus wraps - 40 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cupcakes - 150 pieces
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Brownies - 6 boxes
- Allergy-free cookies - 4 packs
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Sugar packets - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins for rest areas - 300 pieces
- 60 liter trash bags - 100 pieces
- Garbage bags 120 liters - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 8 packs
- Hand soap - 6 refills
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Cleaning gloves - 12 pairs
- Disposable nitrile gloves - 200 pieces
- Toothpicks - 4 boxes
- Cocktail sticks - 6 boxes
- Ice cubes - 20 bags

Tips

Plan at least one visible light source for each participant or group, then keep spare LED torches, glow sticks and battery lights available for late arrivals or failures.
Buy spare AA and AAA batteries before the event, not on the day itself. Keep them dry and separate from used batteries so volunteers can replace them quickly during the route.
For drinks and snacks, match reusable cups, plates and cutlery to the registered headcount, then add a small reserve of about 10% for unexpected guests or dropped items.
Use coolers and ice cube trays for each refreshment point, and fill the coolers shortly before departure. Thermos flasks and serving jugs are easier to manage when drinks are prepared in batches.
Test extension cords, power strips, portable speakers and the microphone together before setup. Pack power banks, phone chargers and a flashlight so volunteers can stay reachable after dark.

Frequently asked questions

How many glow sticks and LED lights do I need for a light parade?: Plan one main light per participant, child or group member, plus around 10% extra. For 100 registered participants, prepare about 110 usable lights and test them at least one day in advance.
How many spare batteries should I buy for a light parade?: Keep at least two spare batteries for every battery-powered light that cannot be recharged during the parade. For 50 lights, that means a minimum of 100 matching spare batteries, stored in a dry box.
What catering supplies are needed for a light parade?: For each registered person, provide one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set, then add 10% extra. Bring serving spoons, thermos flasks, serving jugs, coolers and ice for every planned refreshment stop.
When should I buy and test the parade supplies?: Buy non-perishable items at least one week before the parade and check deliveries as soon as they arrive. Test all lights, batteries, speakers and chargers 24 to 48 hours before setup.

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