Prepare the work area. Pick a space in the backyard, garage or an empty room. If necessary, move furniture around to clear the area. You will be dealing with paint, so to avoid any stains on your carpet or floor, put newspaper on the ground. Lay all of your supplies out in front of you.
Write the message. No matter how many accessories you put on your banner, your message is the real star of the show. Think of something catchy, funny or inspirational. Fit your message to the theme of the parade. With a pencil, spell out your message on the cloth fabric. Do not use a pen because you might have to erase the letters and start over if you run out of room.
Paint over the letters. Once your message is perfectly spaced, dip your brush into the paint and carefully go over each letter. The thicker the letters, the easier they will be to read at a distance. To make certain words stand out, consider painting them in a different color than the rest of the message.
Create images that will make your banner special, using different colors of fabric paint. Add flowers, peace signs or Christmas trees, depending on the parade. If the banner is for a team, add each individual player's name and jersey number. When you are finished, let your banner dry.
Attach the handles. Once your banner is dry, turn it over with the blank side facing up. Lay the wooden poles on each end, lining up the top of the pole with the top of the banner. Wrap the fabric around the pole and secure it with the glue. Give it plenty of time to dry before attempting to pick it up.