Dont Push My Button / Not The Red Button
In thinking on something that would promote interactivity with other people at the parade, the first thing I thought of was this play-on-words. Making it literal, the idea is pretty straightforward. They press the buttons (or button on my shirt and it lights up a collar or something similar — maybe it can look like devil horns…not super sure where would make the most sense to dd the neopixel cable (maybe sewn in a column down the shirt). The button would have to be a little larger than the ones in our toolkit…
I’ll need: Adafruit NeoPixel Digital RGB LED Strip – 60 LED 1m, Large LED Button, Arduino Uno, USB power bank, White/Black Shirt.
Uncognito
My favorite halloween costume was some silly glasses with a mustache. I love the idea that this combines lighthearted goof with futuristic LEDs around the rims, and the connecting hardware affixed the the arms of the glasses.
I’ll need: Silly disguise glasses, (2) 2×16 Neopixel Rings, Lipo Backpack, ItsyBitsy M4.
Bloodcomb Jellyfish Umbrella
One of the world’s most incredible creatures, the blood comb jellyfish, lights up in an otherworldly way. This would pay homage to this insanely alien-like wonder, and would be fun and do-able. (Also, above-crowd visibility.) The idea would be to make the lights “run” down the umbrella, mimmicing the shimmer effect of the blood jelly.
I’ll need: Clear PVC umbrella, portable USB power bank, cable ties, FLORA or Circuit Playground Express, LiPoly rechargeable battery (3.75V 2500mAh), micro Lipo battery charger, button, NeoPixel digital RGB LED strip 30 LED (3-6 meters)
These all seem pretty fun, Josh! But you might get tired of people pushing your buttons all night. Have you chosen one over the others yet? I think the jellyfish idea has been done a lot, but for a reason, and rarely are they animated, so that would be super cool. But I also think your second idea has a lot of bang for its buck.