This "hooked" and flower bedecked King Salmon is one half of the float sponsored by the Young Mens Improvement Club in the 1950 Daffodil Parade, the other half is the boat and fisherman pulling it down Pacific Avenue. This ingenious two part float was the third place winner in class 3. The float celebrated the dominance of King Salmon in Northwest commercial and game fishing. (TNT 4/2/1950, pg. A-8)
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;
This float by Tacoma City Lights carried Queen Nancy Jean Davis (at rear) of Sumner, Princess Audrey Rentsch (left) of Puyallup, and Princess Betty Hurlong (right) of Stadium High in Tacoma down Pacific Avenue during the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The float was decked with thousands of daffodils and tulips befitting the royal trio. The trio were very busy during the Festival and throughout the Spring attending functions and representing the Puyallup Valley area.
This floral tribute to the daffodil, Puyallup Valley's bright yellow herald of Spring, won the first prize commercial entry award for St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The daffodil industry was established in the Valley in 1926. The area's farmers were dealing with the failing hops industry brought on by Prohibition and a hops virus that decimated the crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture was looking for a location to establish a bulb industry, for daffodils, tulips and irises, to rival that of Holland. The Valley had the perfect growing conditions for daffodils and soon established itself as the leader in the industry, producing bulbs that bested those of Holland, being larger and earlier.
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);
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 Tacoma Outboard Association displayed some humor with this action loaded float in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The motorboat named Wha' Hoppin' pulled three water skiers on a daffodil formed sea. Spectators stand 4-5 deep on the sidewalk and in all store front windows to watch the parade. More than 100,000 viewed the parade in Tacoma. TPL-5485
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Outboard Association (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Spectators--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);
Daffodil Queen and Princesses, Times, Sandy. Marcia Keefe, 16-year-old junior from Lincoln High School, was chosen to be one of the two princesses of the Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival for 1949. She is pictured above, carrying a large bouquet of daffodils, with the other 22 Lincoln contestants whose names are listed in a News Tribune article dated February 13, 1949. Marcia, the daughter of the R.E. Keefes of 1676 So. 40th St., saw nursing in her future after completing her education. Mary Jean Gropper of Puyallup was selected as queen of the festival. (TNT, 2/13/1949, p.1 & A-8; T.Times 2-13-1949, p. 1-alt. photograph; TNT 2-13-1949, A-8-alt. photograph)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma); Keefe, Marcia; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;
The 16th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival began with the coronation of the 1949 Daffodil Queen, and included activities such as flower shows, parades, yacht racing and ski races. Spectators are several feet deep while viewing the Young Men Business Club daffodil float which advertised the club's 25th anniversary. This float received 3rd prize in the service clubs float category (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 lovely float completely covered in dazzling daffodils; "Parkland Grows" is posted on side. Parade float princesses are helping bring awareness and publicity to the Parkland area of Tacoma; many new businesses have opened during the past year in Parkland (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. 1, 12 & B-6). TPL-9965
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma);
Commercial businesses, organizations and lodges, and service clubs entered their floats in the 1949 Daffodil Festival parade, in hopes of winning first place or an honorable mention. View of the Lions Club float featuring "Little Tyke," a live African lioness, accompanied by three children; the Lions were awarded first place in the organizations and lodges category (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); Little Tyke (Lion);
The Daffodil Festival had three days of activities planned for this year's celebration. Governor Langie would be crowning the 1949 Daffodil Queen, Mary Jane Gropper from Puyallup. View of the Pierce County Sheriff's Posse, a horse cart is being pulled by a daffodil decorated automobile (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. 1, 12 & B-6).
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Horses--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma);
The 16th annual daffodil parade had thirteen bands scheduled to perform from various schools throughout Western Washington. The spectators would also enjoy various daffodil covered floats. View of Carstens Packing Company's parade float entry; it appears to be some type of daffodil covered "Northwest Favorites" meat product (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 float with unidentified float princess waving to the parade spectators; this float is advertising the daffodil and flower show at College of Puget Sound's new gymnasium, Memorial Fieldhouse; a replica of the newly built gymnasium is constructed out of daffodils and flowers (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);
This year's Daffodil Festival was being called "the most successful of all daffodil celebrations". View of the United States Indian Hospital float, they received 2nd place for their float; the daffodil creation features hospital staff, an indian chief and a teepee. This float was made possible by employee contributions (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 16th Annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival was one of the best ever; the weather was about 71 degrees, making it one of the warmest daffodil weekends ever. View of the Puyallup Elks Club float; they were awarded top honors among the lodges category. The float queen's extra long train is being carried by the little daffodil princesses (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 Tacoma City Light daffodil float; this float carried the Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival royalty through the downtown streets of Tacoma on April 9, 1949. Daffodil Queen Mary Jean Gropper is seated in center, her two attendants/princesses are seated below her, Frances Denzler and Marcia Keefe (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); Gropper, Mary Jean;
The 16th Annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade would begin on South 17th Street and Broadway and end on South 7th Street and Pacific Avenue. View of the Lions Club float featuring "Little Tyke", a live African lioness and three children; the Lions were awarded first place in the organizations and lodges category (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); Little Tyke (Lion);
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);
This float, apparently entitled "Daffodil Daze," was decorated with three giant daffodils and a multitude of blossoms. Standing on the float is believed to be 1972 Daffodil Festival Queen, Paula Achziger. The parade itself has not been identified; it possibly could be the Seafair Parade which was held in late July of 1972.
Float for Tacoma Public Utilities with Daffodil Queen and other participants at the 1956 Daffodil Parade. A Macy's building with a Coca-Cola painted sign can be seen in the background along with a crowd on the roof of The Music Shop and a Jeweler with an obscured name.
