After a month of preparation, GW’s inaugural float was finally put to use on Tuesday afternoon.

The parade started when Obama left the Capitol steps at 3:20 p.m., and GW’s float passed by the viewing stand at 5:40 p.m. Fox News caught Obama saluting George as they passed.

Those who saw the float during Monday’s pep rally might have noticed that there is a difference between that float and the one that made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue on Tuesday.

“We had the float set up in a corridor and the wind channeled through it, then we heard this huge rip. The whole bottom of the balloon just shredded,” said float designer Charlie Burgoyne. “In the end we were able to put up an American flag as a back up. We think it worked out pretty well.”

The 350,000 who lined the parade route seemed to be very responsive to the float as it passed, said Burgoyne, who watched the crowd’s reactions.

“The Media and Public Affairs section was a huge success,” said Burgoyne. “When people saw themselves on our TV screen there was a lot of screaming and yelling.”

Many of the float riders say they will remember this historic experience forever, including incoming freshman Molly Hogin. Hogin won an essay contest between early decision freshman and GW flew her out to be part of the parade festivities.

“I did a lot of work for the Obama campaign and it was very meaningful for me to be here,” said Hogin. “It was really cool to see Obama and Joe Biden whose smiles were just radiant.”

At final count, about 49 GW students traveled with the float. Clips from the parade can be seen on CNN, Fox News, ABC, and MSNBC’s Web sites.

Tags: float, inaugural parade