There is a company in Lanham, Maryland that is building the floats for the inaugural parade.
Workers at Hargrove Incorporated are working around the clock to get all the floats ready for this year’s parade.
Hargrove has been at every inauguration since 1949. They were there for the majesty of Kennedy inauguration. Front-row for the dancing Gores and saw Stevie sing and play.
They're not spectators though. They build the grand spectacle, including the decor at every official ball.
"During the '05 inaugural, we did 58 events in 38 venues over the course of seven days," said Hargrove’s Marvin Bond.
But they are perhaps most well-known for their official floats that ooooh and ahhhhh parade goers on inauguration day.
They've nearly finished three of the eight they're working on for this year.
Fittingly, Delaware’s is among the first done, a rolling preamble. And a massive American flag was scheduled to first appear at Reagan’s second inaugural, but weather cancelled it.
It's rolled in every inaugural since.
One man has directed the effort for the past 60 years. Earl Hargrove’s corner office is part museum, part circus. It's filled with the history the 80 year old has built the backdrop for much of.
It's been smooth most years, but there was Truman’s inauguration. The President Elect wanted mules from his home state to pull his float.
Hargrove is confident there won't be problems like that this year.
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