From sketch to parade in 3.5 weeks

1. When ambition meets madness

“Can you fully redesign our parade floats and deliver in 3.5 weeks?”

That was the question theme park Slagharen asked us. And the timing? Let’s say… not ideal.

At that exact moment, Concept Factory was in full-on delivery mode with giant 4-meter lions for a summer festival, new escape rooms for Durbuy Adventure Valley, the full setup for Q-Beach House and backdrop design for a major television production. Still, we didn’t hesitate. This project gave us energy. The kind you feel in your belly. And Concept Factory wouldn’t be Concept Factory if we couldn’t deliver fast and high-quality, even under pressure.

2. Moodboards that speak louder than words

Before we started finalizing the sketching, we sat down with the team at Slagharen, not with detailed plans, but with a moodboard. This was our visual pitch: a document packed with textures, colors and references that translated how we wanted the floats to feel. Not what they had to look like final, but the mood they needed to bring.

These images sparked the very first question from the client. From that point on, we were all aligned: we were going for warmth, detail, and a style that lives and breathes the identity of the park.

3. From mood to motion: quick sketches, big decisions

Once the mood was right, we moved fast. We didn’t have the luxury of three months to draw designs, we had 3.5 weeks until the floats had to roll. So we created quick, expressive sketches. Loose, but loaded with intention.

Each float had a clear character. A story. And that was all the team needed to start building.

4. Smart transport, fast turnarounds

The floats arrived in batches, always two at a time. Every six days, we swapped them out. Over the span of just 14 days, all five floats passed through our workshop in a continuous rotation. This approach wasn’t just practical, it was mostly strategic. By rotating the floats in and out, we reduced idle time, maximized workspace efficiency, and kept momentum high. But above all: we cut down on transport runs, which made the entire process leaner, cheaper, and more sustainable.

We work in a sector that’s not always known for sustainability, with large volumes, big builds, and tight deadlines. But wherever we can, we engineer smarter flows and make choices that reduce waste. It's not perfect yet, but it’s a mindset we take seriously.

5. Building without blueprints

Then the real work began, in our workshop. Normally, our builds follow detailed production plans. But this time, with the tight timeframe, fixed budget, and the agile nature of the concept, we skipped the usual building plans.

Instead, our sketches became the foundation, and our carpenters built with intuition and experience.

Each day, our management team and builders gathered to make quick decisions: Where do we adjust? What needs redesigning on the spot? What shortcut keeps quality high, but saves time?

It was a different rhythm.- but it worked.

And it only worked because Slagharen fully trusted us. There was no need for plan approvals, revisions, or technical files. They cared about one thing: the result.

And that freedom made the work better.

6. On site is where the difference is made

The final step happened in Slagharen on location.

While the floats were built in our workshop, the real precision work happened on site. We spent several days strategically placing props, staging sightlines and fine-tuning every float to ensure it looked impactful both up close and from a distance.

A key detail? Many of the props were made from recycled materials — vintage objects, sourced from thrift shops, given a new life through paint, patina and context. It’s one of the ways we try to push sustainability, even in a sector that is7. Delivered. On time. On point.

Oh, and a small bonus: Our crew got treated to some fancy on-site accommodation. It gave them the chance to explore the park a little after those long workdays — …they tried to take it all in, but let's be honest: they were mostly exhausted.

7. Delivered. On time. On point.

This was a project built on speed, trust and shared vision...and we delivered!

• Deadline? Crushed it.

• Budget? Stayed sharp.

• Quality? No compromises.

But beyond the checklist, Slagharen received a brand-new parade to be proud of crafted with creativity, recycled materials, tight planning and a whole lot of character. From moodboard to magic, in just 3.5 weeks.

And the response? Exactly what we were hoping for:

“Thank you for your enthusiasm and creativity! We're very happy with the result.” — Manager Park Operations, Slagharen

“What a great result — thanks for all your effort, Concept Factory Belgium.” — General Manager, Slagharen

And the parade hit the streets the weekend right after our delivery.

If you want to see the full result, click here.