Military ambulances roll down the downtown parade route on October 30, 1941 as ticker tape confetti floats down from the upper story windows during the Army Parade.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, jeeps roll down Broadway as part of a massive military parade. On the left they roll past the Roxy Theater, 901 Broadway. On the right are signs for the "Motoramp Garage" (745 Commerce), Acme Cleaners and the Family Medical Center. Sidewalks were packed with parade goers.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jeep automobiles;

Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Soldiers marching along wet street. Since this date was also Armistice Day, honoring the end of World War I, the parade included several contingents of marching men and weapons. This Armistice Day was bittersweet as Europe was already at war and America soon to follow.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Parades & processions--Olympia--1930-1940;

Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. The parade honored Washington's admittance into the Union 50 years prior and travelled over part of the route of the first statehood celebration promenade in 1889. This parade float features a replica of the covered wagon that brought the first settlers to Tumwater, where the Columbia River branch of the Oregon Trail ended. Sign reads "The End of the Oregon Trail." The float is entered by Cub Scout Pack 5, sponsored by the Eastside Community Center. It is parked on a street with house in background. (T. Times 11/13/1939, pg. 9)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Parades & processions--Olympia--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Olympia--1930-1940;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Tacoma Elks Lodge #174 Golden Jubilee float. Noted by newspapers as one of the most beautiful floats, the Elks Lodge float had the honor of being the first float in the massive July 1, 1940, parade. Just hours before, Governor Clarence D. Martin had officially opened the new (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The parade was held in honor of the bridge and also the opening of the country's newest and most modern airbase, McChord Field. The lodge was also celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the lodge's 50th anniversary in Tacoma. More than 400 Elks marched in the parade, by far the largest represented group. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 3).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Tacoma Elks Lodge #174 Golden Jubilee float. Celebrating the lodge's 50th anniversary in Tacoma and the openings of the (first) Narrows Bridge and new airbase, McChord Field, the Elks contingent was the first float in the massive July 1, 1940, parade. They followed hundreds of marching soldiers and National Guard units. More than 400 Elks marched in the parade; 30-40 members carried a huge U.S. flag and more than 300 were in the Elks Band. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 3).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Gig Harbor - Peninsula float, July 1, 1940. Young women on evergreen-bedecked float with sign: "The Peninsula. Playground of the Northwest. Gig Harbor." Tennis and swimming were two of the activities profiled on the Gig Harbor float. There were over 60 floats entered in the July 1, 1940, parade commemorating the openings of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Flying Field. The Peninsula area was heavily represented with floats and other entries from the Gig Harbor, Key Center and Port Orchard communities. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Knights of Pythias members ride on a float sponsored by the lodge's Pythian Sisters, Washington Temple No. 6 and Tacoma Temple No. 58, during the 1940 Narrows Bridge-McChord Field Parade. The men, who are outfitted in lodge regalia, pause for a Richards' photographer while waiting for the event to begin. To add a patriotic note, Uncle Sam hitched a ride on the float. Mention was made that one of the Knights lost his beard temporarily as the float passed in front of the reviewing stand. The event celebrated the opening of the first Narrows Bridge and the new U.S. Army Air Corps base. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Fraternal organizations; Knights of Pythias (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade. Among the sixty or so floats in the July 1, 1940, parade commemorating the grand openings of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Flying Field, one of the most charming might have been the float bearing four children riding on playground equipment, a Merry-Go-Round float pulled by a sedan. The name of the company is partially obscured; the four children, all wearing hats, may belong to employees of the firm.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Amusement rides--Tacoma;

Four men, bodies slathered with silver paint, rode atop the YMCA float during the Narrows Bridge/McChord Field Parade on July 1, 1940. Accompanied by a giant globe, they provided visions of brawny Atlas to the 60,000+ parade viewers. A photograph of the same quartet taken from ground level can be seen at D9944-25.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Young Men's Christian Association (Tacoma); Body painting--Tacoma;

Thousands of spectators crowded the streets of Tacoma to watch the Tacoma Jubilee parade on June 25, 1946. Many of the floats carried candidates for the title of Jubilee Queen, including this old touring car sponsored by Griffin Fuel Company. It carried "Lulubelle". The men in the car stated "Lulubelle was a little too fresh." Lulubelle is really Einar Stenhommer, next to Lulu is Len Wilson, driving the car is Lyle Olson and on the right is Ralph Lewis . Tacoma enjoyed the 1939 Washington State Golden Jubilee celebration so much that the city decided to hold a Jubilee in 1946 that commemorated absolutely nothing. (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cross dressing--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Thousands gathered on Broadway in Tacoma to see the impressive Jubilee Parade. The parade went on as planned in spite of the heavy rainfall that fell upon Tacoma for a good part of the festivities. View of the Washington Motor Transport Association parade float. Children wearing costumes stand among a model town (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Costumes; Washington Motor Transport Association (Tacoma);

Thousands gathered on Broadway in Tacoma to see the impressive Jubilee Parade. The parade went on as planned in spite of the heavy rainfall that fell upon Tacoma's parade-goers for a good part of the festivities. View of the Second Division 23rd Invader Regiment, as they march through Broadway and Pacific Avenue (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marching--Tacoma; Military uniforms; Second Division 23rd Invader Regiment;

Daffodil Festival Parade along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, 63 entries participated in the Tacoma parade, many of the same entries would participate in the Puyallup and Sumner parades. View of the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club float. "Trees for Tomorrow ---Keep Washington Green" was the message posted on the Young Men's Business Club float. This float received second place among service clubs (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma;

A pet parade was sponsored by the Tacoma Lincoln Lions' Club July 26, 1947. The parade started at Lincoln Park and then proceeded through the business district. Awards were presented to contestants by business people of the Lincoln shopping district with free ice cream and balloons for all. Here a wagon, pulled by two matched horses, advertises Carstens Meats and their Lucky Dog Dog Food Contest.The lucky person to submit the best slogan for Lucky Dog would win $200. (T.Times, 7/24/1947, p.11)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Horse teams--Tacoma--1940-1950; Horses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Hogan's Fine Foods (Tacoma); Pets;

The 1946 Daffodil parade drew one of the largest crowds in parade history. Many Pierce County businesses, organizations and schools signed up to appear in the parade. View of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company float covered in beautiful daffodils. Three unidentified telephone employees are holding telephones, large telephone on rear of float. TPL-8693 (TNT 3/31/1946, pg. 1)

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup;

The float entered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars glides down the parade route in Puyallup at the first post World War II Daffodil Parade, held March 30, 1946. It features a depiction of the globe and is manned by Lady Liberty and representatives of the various branches of the service. The parade was the first held in three years due to its termination during World War II. TPL-8695 (TNT 3/31/1946, pg. 1)

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup;

The 1946 Daffodil Parade almost didn't take place. The Planning Committee was not figuring on a parade, until the Puyallup Chamber of Commerce stepped forward to sponsor it. Plagued by a shortage of post war trucks and chassis, the parade was not only beautiful, but ingenious, and patriotic. Here, the Riverside 4H float is appropriately pulled by a tractor. It features young girls in a pen with baby animals and is followed by flag bearers. TPL-8696

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup;

The 1946 Daffodil parade was expecting one of the largest crowds in Puyallup history to gather to watch the festivities. In just a short amount of time many community businesses, organizations and schools gathered together and wanted to participate in the traditional procession. View of Puyallup Camp Fire Girls standing behind their daffodil covered float.

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup;

The 1946 Daffodil parade was expecting one of the largest crowds in Puyallup history to gather to watch the festivities. In just a short amount of time many community businesses and schools gathered together and wanted to participate in the traditional procession. View of Puyallup Lodge No. 32 Ancient Order of United Workmen parade float. Queen Gloria Dinwiddie, Caryn Chervenka and unidentified male attendant standing in front of float.

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup;

Daffodil Parade, Times. Queen Doreen Moody (a junior at Sumner High School) and Princesses Jerene Fly (from Puyallup High School) and Joy Lundgren (a senior at Stadium High School) are riding on a float specially prepared for them by City Light. Queen Doreen wearing a crown of daffodils and a dark robe sits next to the upward facing trumpet of the large daffodil whose petals form the seats for Princess Jerene and Princess Joy. A few members of one of the bands performing in the parade are seen in the background. (TNT, 4/3/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Moody, Doreen; Fly, Jerene; Lundgren, Joy; Queens; Princesses; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Teenagers--Tacoma;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The Afifi Shrine Circus float showed three members seated in thrones wearing turbans, long beards and decorated robes while two others are dressed as island natives under a palm tree with fans to cool the nobles. They are displaying their neon emblem on the side of their float. (TNT, 4/3/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Afifi Shrine Circus (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Five children, bundled up against the cold, sit on the curb to watch the 15th Annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade. Held on April 3, 1948, thousands of Tacomans and out-of-town visitors lined Broadway and Pacific Avenues to watch the 100-unit parade. Ted Brown, the chairman of the festival, estimated that 1,000,000 daffodils were used to decorate the many floats. The Daffodil Queen, Doreen Moody, shared the attention of the crowd with Gretchen Fraser, who had just won a gold medal at the 1948 Winter Olympics. TPL-9606

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children & adults--Tacoma; Coats; Hats--1940-1950; Neckties;

1948 Daffodil Parade, Times. Roses and daffodils tumble from the Horn of Plenty depicting Tacoma as the City of Plenty.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Cornucopias; Roses;

Daffodil Parade, Times. Tacoma's Women's Clubs sponsored a float for the Freedom Train that was making its way around the United States carrying copies of 127 great American documents important to the history of the United States for citizens to see. The Freedom Train, sponsored by the American Heritage Foundation, was to be in Tacoma April 8, 1948. A man stands in front of the float dressed as an engineer. (T.Times, 4/1/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Freedom Train;

Armed Forces Day parade marching down Pacific Avenue in May of 1951. Prominent buildings on the left include the Rust Building and (Old) City Hall. Puget Sound National Bank Building is on the right. The Seaforth Highlanders from Vancouver, B.C., (lower center) provide pipe and drum entertainment for the crowds. Besides the various marching military units, jeeps and other vehicles were present.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching bands--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rust Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949, a single day set aside for festivities thanking our men in uniform for their duty to our country. During this 1951 Armed Forces Day parade, three units are seen as they prepare to turn from 9th Street onto Pacific Avenue. The Seaforth Highlanders from Vancouver, B.C., Canada's championship pipe and drum band, turn the corner while two military units follow. Vern's Sandwich Shop is seen on the corner.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Marching bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pipes (Musical instruments); Bagpipes;

Exposure of Stadium High School majorettes, marching band and drill team during the 1952 Daffodil Parade turning from 9th onto Pacific Ave. The 19th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival had a 15 mile long parade made up of 70 floats, 21 bands, 28 marching units and three mounted groups. The parade formed in Tacoma at 17th and Broadway for a 10 a.m. kick off time moving north on Broadway to 9th, down 9th to Pacific, and down Pacific to 19th Street. (TNT 4/5/1952, pg. 1)

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Drill teams; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Marching bands;

A floral ship pulled by leaping goldfish carries a evening gown clad woman and two young sailors in the 1952 Daffodil Parade. This float was the entry by the Tacoma Savings and Loan Association and won second place in the organization division. Tacomans were warned against plucking daffodils off the floats as they passed through town as all entries had to complete the entire three-city parade route to be eligible for awards and would need every flower to look their best for judges. (TNT 4-5-1952, pg. 1-2)

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma);

Husky dogs "mush" up a floral mountain carrying a sledded bottle, in this 1952 Daffodil Parade float sponsored by Cammarano Brothers, bottlers of carbonated beverages. It is followed by the entry from Nora's Bridal Shop, a lovely spring bride in a wide hooped dress, wide enough to hide the car that moves the float.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);