Young women in daffodil hats and a king ride atop this 1952 float sponsored by Tacoma Vocational and Technical School. This float is very royal in keeping with the 1952 theme of "Alfred in Wonderland," a reference to the King Alfred daffodil- Puyallup Valley's most famous export. Young boys perch on the second floor ledge of the Willis Tavern, 1504-06 Jefferson Ave., to view the parade. The taller building to the right with the boys seated next to the Willis Tavern sign was the Hotel Lewis, 1520-22 Pacific Ave.; it was later demolished. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma);
The man adding a uniform hat to the top of this small totem pole is wearing a Daffodil Festival pin on his lapel in this photograph from March of 1952. The hat would perch on the carved dome of a dark-haired figure. Three official badges, one of them a Tacoma Police Department Chief badge and another a Tacoma Fire Department Chief badge, are shown against the bottom of the totem pole. A small wooden box with an engraved message on top sits on the table and the unidentified man holds a square platter decorated with an image of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Events celebrating the 19th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival were held on April 1-6, 1952.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Totem poles; Hats--1950-1960; Badges;
A convertible has been decorated by Art's Glass & Upholstery for the 1951 Daffodil Parade. The crowd was estimated at 100,000 this year. There were 97 entries in the parade with 70 floats and nearly 30 bands and marching units. The parade celebrated the arrival of spring and the bulb industry in the county. Pierce County was the largest bulb producing county in the United States at this time. (TNT, 4/3/1951, p.1)
St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company sponsored the "Sweepstakes Winning" float in the 1951 Daffodil Parade. It featured two robins in front, two young ladies next to an arbor, and an enormous butterfly with an unidentified woman as the "body." It is seen here as it passed in front of Washington Hardware's retail facility with the Sports Shop next door.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);
Pausing on its way out of town is the Jordan Baking Co. float on April 7, 1951. It is most likely heading for Puyallup and environs as part of the 1951 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. The flower-bedecked float had as its theme "Jordan's Bread Fresh as a Daisy" which won it second place in the Commercial Division. Jordan's, with over 100 employees, was believed to be the state's largest independent bakery and known for their high quality, prize-winning bread. The young ladies on the float are not identified but company owner, Arthur K. Jordan is standing next to the float. The woman next to him may be Mrs. Jordan. (TNT 4-8-51, A-9, alt. photograph)
Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Jordan, Arthur K.;
Small boys with big axes accompany the Boys Club entry in the 1951 Daffodil Parade. A tractor is pulling a large cart containing a daffodil-covered Blue Ox and his famous associate, Paul Bunyan. Crowds estimated at 100,000 packed the downtown streets of Pacific (shown above) and Broadway for the 18th annual Daffodil Festival Parade. Many families also got a good view of the 1 1/2 hour procession of floats, bands and other marching units, through office building windows including Washington Hardware Co.'s.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Boys Club (Tacoma); Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);
The Tacoma Kiwanis Club's entry in the 1951 Daffodil Parade provided a somber note to the festivities in its "Freedom is not Free" theme. WWII was still a fresh memory and the country was now engulfed in the Korean War. A nurse is flanked by a sailor and soldier who stand with their weapons, overlooking a coffin and cross in a field of daffodils. Judges awarded this entry third place in the Service Club division. (TNT 4-7-51, p. 1-article)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);
Making a slow and careful turn onto Pacific Avenue is the prize-winning float from the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., entitled "Springtime." Graced with two large robins and enormous butterfly wings and dressed in green, yellow and maroon colors, the float won the Sweepstakes Award in the 1951 Daffodil Festival parade.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Spectators--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
Pauline Martin, 18, was selected on February 28, 1941 to reign over the 1941 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival. Miss Martin, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Paul Martin of Sumner, was born in a log cabin on a Montana ranch 25 miles from Sidney. Her family moved to Sumner when she was two, and she graduated from Sumner High School. The photographers and other Daffodil Queen contestants in this photograph are not identified. (T. Times 3/1/1941 p.1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Sumner); Martin, Pauline; Photographers;
Two bathing beauties pose beside a 1950 Hudson decorated by Central Motors auto dealers, 714 Broadway, as their entry in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The girls smile despite the cool and gloomy parade weather. The 1950 parade was celebrating its 17th year in existence and was the longest and best attended in the history of the parade.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Bathing suits; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Central Motors (Tacoma);
An aerial view of the 1950 Daffodil Parade, looking north up Pacific Ave. from 13th Street to the City Hall, between Commerce and Pacific at 7th. The route of the 1950 parade began at the staging area at 17th and Jefferson, proceeded up Broadway to 9th, and then back on Pacific Ave. to 17th. The parade broke up at 17th and Pacific and reassembled in Puyallup for the march to Sumner. The two hour parade featured floats, marching band, drill teams, mounted posses and comic relief and was viewed by over 100,000 in Tacoma alone.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960;
This aerial view of the 1950 Daffodil Parade shows Pacific Avenue looking north from South 13th Street toward the Old City Hall building. The Clover Park Band and Drill Team are followed by the Young Men's Business Club float, which took first place in the Class 2 competition. Spectators lined the parade route up to 10 deep, climbing atop ladders, buildings, fire escapes and awnings for a better view. The cold and wet weather did not stop the crowds, and every available officer of the law was needed to direct traffic in and out of Tacoma. TPL-8494
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960;
This daffodil sailed boat was the entry of the Retail Trade Bureau in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The float was a play on words proclaiming "Better 'sales' for a Greater Tacoma." The 17th annual parade was a huge affair attended by more than a 100,000, however the parade tradition began in the town of Sumner with $25 and a small parade of wagons and trucks decorated with discarded daffodil heads at the height of bloom season.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma);
Carstens Packing Co. sponsored this floral tribute to the pig, where two uniformed chefs cook giant bacon, in the 1950 Daffodil parade. Carstens were meat and poultry packers located at 1623 East J, on the Tideflats. The TC stands for Thomas Carstens, President of the company. Thousands of daffodils adorn the float, and two pigs guard the giant Carsten ham at the rear of the float. The window that the float driver sees through was clearly seen at the front of the float.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);
An unidentified uniformed marching band makes the turn from Broadway to 9th St. during the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The band, one of 18 participating in the parade, is followed by a decorated car and the "Birthday cake" float of Troop 84, Boy & Cub Scouts from Midland. A costumed roller skater skates in the area beside the float and the following truck. The signs for the Hotel Winthrop and the Roxy Theatre are prominent in the foreground of the picture.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Marching bands; Band uniforms--Tacoma;
A unidentified young woman sits atop car #64 supplied by the American Automobile Association to the Country House restaurant, Pacific Ave. near 147th, for use in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The young lady smiles brightly despite that fact that the Saturday of the parade was chilly with cold winds and scattered showers.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma);
The Wild West was represented in the 1950 Daffodil Parade by this daffodil covered horse drawn carriage from Krause & Swanson, Inc., real estate, insurance and investment brokers. The man at the back of the carriage played music on a lap held keyboard or dulcimer while Western garbed riders clapped in time. The float was followed by a mounted drill team. Krause & Swanson at 117 So. 11th was owned by Ernest R. Krause, President, and Allen C. Swanson, Vice President.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Daffodil court members smile and wave from this daffodil covered float pulled by two floral bees sponsored by Busch's Drive In, winner of the 2nd place award for commercial entries in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. Busch's Drive In was the "in" place for teens in the 1950's with ten-cent hamburgers, french fries, milk shakes, curb service, car hops and plenty of parking room to show off their cars. Busch's Drive In was owned by William M. (Bill) Busch and located at 3505 South Tacoma Way. TPL-9545
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);
Three members of the Daffodil Royal Court ride on the float sponsored by St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., winner of the first place commercial entry. In previous years, the Festival had been reigned over by a high school aged Queen and two princesses. For the first time in 1950, a royal court of 16 attendants were selected. Twelve of these came from Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner, as did the Royalty, and the town of Orting was asked to select four court members. This was the first time that the agricultural area of Orting was officially recognized as part of the Festival core group.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
The Country House Restaurant, Pacific Ave. near 147th, sponsored this decorated car in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. A long legged American beauty rode as a hood ornament, while costumed tap dancers danced along the side as the floor show. For parade performers, the parade was an all day affair. There was an early line up in Tacoma where the parade route took approximately two hours to complete, then everyone was loaded in buses to go to Puyallup and Sumner and repeat the process again.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;
This floral tribute to Holland and the windmill won the Sweepstakes Award in the 1950 Daffodil parade for the Associated General Contractors. The contracting group were newcomers to the parade, winning the award with their first ever entry. The group's officers line up behind their float and the Dutch costumed young ladies on the float smile despite the morning chill.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Associated General Contractors, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma);
This "bee-powered" daffodil carriage adorned with smiling court members in front of 1748 Jefferson Ave, was the second place winner in the class 4 commercial group of the 1950 Daffodil parade. The entry was sponsored by Busch's Drive In restaurant at 3505 South Tacoma Way. More than 800,000 daffodils plus assorted other spring flowers were used in the parade. Spectators arrived as early as 8a.m. to line the parade route and were advised to use mass transportation and car pools to avoid traffic jams. TPL-9544
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);
Members of an all-African American unit from the United States Army turn the corner onto Pacific as they march down South 9th Street as part of the first Armed Forces Day Parade held on May 20, 1950. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis took part in the huge display of military might. The troops from Fort Lewis were joined by representatives of the Navy, Marines and Air Force as well as non-military groups from local schools, fraternal and civic organizations. It was estimated that over 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Although President Harry Truman had signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948 calling for the desegregation of the United States' armed forces, the army did not formally announce its plans to implement the order until July of 1951. (TNT, 5/19/1950, p.1)
Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. Military and city officials stand at attention during the Washington Birthday parade held in Tacoma in 1949. 4,000 troops marched during the parade that was staged in observance of National Security week under the sponsorship of the Reserve Officers Association. Names are listed in the newspaper article. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. 4,000 troops marched in the Washington Birthday parade held in Tacoma in 1949. Thousands of Tacomans lined downtown streets to view the one and one-half hour parade that was staged in observance of National Security Week under the sponsorship of the Reserve Officers Association. Troops are seen in front of Brotman's at 1126 Commerce Street. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Five infantry battalions marched in a military parade on Washington's Birthday in 1949. The one and one-half hour parade included over 4,000 troops. This view shows the battalions marching north along Broadway. Soldiers marching at the front are just turning the corner in front of the Roxy Theater onto South 9th Street. Several spectators are standing on the awning over the sidewalk in front of the Roxy. Photo taken for Sandegren, Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1) TPL-9062
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950;
More than 100,000 people in Tacoma attended the 1949 Daffodil Parade and watched the wonderful floats parade along Broadway and Pacific Avenue. View of daffodil-covered float advertising "United Tacoma Days" shopping values and bargains galore on May 19, 20 and 21. This float was sponsored by the Tacoma Retail Trade Bank (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. 1, 12 & B-6).
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma);
View of the Saint Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company's parade float moving along Pacific Avenue; this float features "The Timber Beast" and had actual smoke coming out of its nostrils. St. Paul and Tacoma was named the Parade's Sweepstakes Winner (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. 1, 12 & B-6).
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma);
The Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau's 1957 Daffodil Parade float entitled "Symphony" featured a king-sized violin with a lyre. Margaret Strachan, the 1956 Daffodil queen, graciously waves to the parade watchers as the float passes on Pacific Avenue near 11th St. United Savings Bank and the Perkins Bldg. are in the background. 32,000 daffodils were employed on this float, which won first place in the Retail division. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau. (TNT 4-14-57, A-1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau (Tacoma); Strachan, Margaret;
Can-can girls strut to the tunes of Dixieland as they march alongside the entry from Steve's Cafe (better known as Steve's Gay '90s) in the 1957 Daffodil Parade. Daffodils cover the front and sides of the genuine San Francisco cable car. Women and children, possibly members of the owners' families, peer out of the slowly moving unit as the band plays on. Photograph ordered by Steve's.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cable railroads--Tacoma; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);
