A friend of mine who went along on a candidates float during a parade relayed a story of horror and dismay, as the people who were following the float distributing candy had not been properly instructed as to how to go about doing this.
It's a simple thing, admitedly, but nonetheless, pointers should be given:
1. Don't
THROW the candy,
hand it out. The picture of a kid, with a sucker stick impailing their eyeball will most assuredly damage your candidates campaign.
2. Don't THROW the candy down by the tires of floats. Little kids my run to collect the candy, and be flattend. That's really not good imagery the campaign would like to see.
3. Don't THROW the candy at the opposition. Yes, it's tempting to bean someone with an uber-fast Tootsie-roll to the noggin, but come on, after the initial pain wears off, they'll have candy, and you won't!
OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND!
A. People can in fact read lips, & you also never know where a microphone is at. Don't cuss while on the float, don't disparage someone else while keeping a smile on your face, someone does in fact know what you're saying and it will be attributed to your candidate, campaign, and you.
B. Dress appropriately. T&A is fine if you're on the Hooters float. Political campaigns should look respectable.
C. FLAGS... you can NEVER have too many flags on your float.
D. Have the little kid who can't stop eating the candy, sit next to someone else... he'll puke... you don't want it on you for the rest of the parade route.
E. Bring bottled water with you. Bring extra-EXTRA bottled water. Passing out is lame.
F. Don't lock your knees.
G. Have a good time & don't forget to smile, and don't forget you may have opportunites to talk with people after the parade about your candidate/campaign/issues... seize those opportunities... walk up to someone and initiate the conversation if you think they might not be comfortable approaching you.