Kudos to the Golden State Valkyries for not only building a winning WNBA team, but also for showing their appreciation to their fans and the Bay Area community. Usually, sports teams ask fans to show up and support them. Valkyries flipped the script
Instead of asking the community to buy into a new franchise, the Valkyries poured their resources into creating a free Juneteenth celebration that gave something back to the community before anyone ever stepped inside the arena.
The celebration, organized in partnership with the incredible team behind Black Joy Parade, brought together music, culture, art, and interactive experiences that welcomed everyone, whether they had a game ticket or not.We were honored to be hired to provide our services for the celebration.
The Valkyries invited Mannequin Madness to bring our Flower Crown Experience to the plaza, where fans created a personalized keepsake inspired by the team’s signature violet, gold, black, and white colors. In addition to flowers we brought feathers, gems, ribbon, pearls and Mardi Gras beads (recycled from ScrapSF) for people to embellish their flower crowns.
Since we bring realistic faux flowers,not fresh flowers, their flower crown designs were not just for the Juneteenth celebration. But something they can wear for future Valkyries games and other special occasions.
Our tables were packed with people of all ages – as flower crowns are easy to make ( just need a glue gun) and look good on all body shapes and sizes. Plus people could design whatever style they wanted, this wasn’t a one style fits all flower crown experience.
Even with multiple activities taking place throughout the plaza, fans willingly chose to spend part of their pre-game experience waiting in line to make a flower crown. One conversation during the event perfectly captured why interactive experiences matter.
While his young daughter was making her flower crown, a father told me he had given her a choice before they joined our line. They could wait for one of the event’s limited-edition swag bags, or they could make a flower crown first, knowing the giveaways might be gone afterward.
She chose the flower crown.
Not because the giveaways weren’t valuable. She wanted the experience. That conversation stayed with me. Giveaways reward attendees. Interactive experiences invite them to participate.
The best events make room for both and that is what the Valkyries provided for the community.
People value what they help create. When attendees make something with their own hands, they don’t just take it home. They wear it. They photograph it. They share it with friends. It becomes part of the story they tell about the event.
There is absolutely a place for T-shirts, tote bags, and water bottles. But a handmade flower crown offers something different. Every participant starts with the same materials, yet every finished crown reflects a different personality and style
Instead of looking like a sea of identical giveaways, fans walked into the arena wearing something uniquely their own while still proudly representing the Valkyries.
Bringing this workshop to the Juneteenth celebration made the experience even more meaningful. Black Joy Parade has built a powerful tradition of celebrating Black culture, community, and joy, and we were grateful to help extend that spirit through hands-on art that welcomed everyone to participate.
As we watched fans walking toward Chase Center wearing crowns they had made themselves, we were reminded why we love creating these experiences. They don’t just fill time before an event. They help people connect with each other, express themselves, and become part of the celebration before they ever walk through the doors.
Looking for ideas to make your next sporting event, festival, museum program, or corporate gathering more interactive? Check out the various flower crown packages here.
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Just like no two flower crowns are alike, neither are our flower crown experiences. Every event has its own personality, so we customize the flowers, embellishments, and color palette to match the occasion.
For the Valkyries we did more than just bring flowers in their team colors. We incorporated feathers as a nod to the Valkyries’ legendary swan cloaks and the winged imagery that has become closely associated with these mythical warrior women.
For another event, it might be inspired by Día de los Muertos, Halloween, a Renaissance Faire, a holiday celebration, or a company’s brand colors.
For many fans, the road to Ballhalla started at our flower table. Their flower crowns weren’t just accessories. They were symbols of community, creativity, and team pride.
Visit our website to shop for mannequins and dress forms, rent display pieces, or recycle your old mannequins.
