An unidentified float carrying five waving people in swim suits in the 1956 Daffodil Parade on Pacific Avenue with North Pacific Plywood Inc. building and water tower in the background.

Float for The Bon Marche with participants in a variety of different themes costumes 1954 Daffodil Parade. The sign at the top of the float reads, "United Good Neighbors Build Tacoma Youth."

Float for Puget Sound Vacationland depicting two people in a boat and with a large fish at the 1954 Daffodil Parade.

Float for the University Place Volunteer Fire Department with firefighters wearing masks at the 1954 Daffodil Parade.

Float for Tacoma Public Utilities with participants in dresses riding flanked by people in white suits and hats at the 1954 Daffodil Parade. Buildings with signage for BPOE and Moreland Ford Cars can be seen in the distance.

First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade held August 5, 1938 at the Stadium Bowl. "Major Hoople" on "Leaping Lena" shaking hands with a boy on another decorated bike, most resembling a Daffodil Parade float. Major Amos B. Hoople was the cartoon star of the newspaper comic "Our Boarding House," created in 1921 by Gene Ahern. Hoople was a long winded stuffed shirt, usually identified by his overflowing midsection. The comic strip took place in Martha Hoople's boarding house and ran for six decades. The boys are tentatively identified as William Kennedy of 5318 So. Fife and Albert Dock of 5315 So. Junnett.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

A parade of automobiles on Pacific Avenue passes Peoples Department Store celebrating the grant from the Progress Works Administration to build a bridge over the Narrows. Huge "Your Credit Is Good" sign on Schoenfeld's in the distance. More than 500 automobiles and trucks paraded through city during the celebration. They ended at the Stadium Bowl, where a crowd of 5,000 heard speeches by Governor Clarence Martin, Senator Homer T. Bone, Representative John Coffee and Senator Lewis B. Schwellenbach, among others. (T. Times, 7/1/1938).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Narrows Bridge Celebration (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Peoples (Tacoma);

Daffodil Yacht Club Regatta race. Several boats on Commencement Bay with hill east of Browns Point in background.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

The Second Annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta was held on Sunday April 3, 1938. Daffodil Queen Bliss Lundrigan, wearing a captain's hat and cape, is shown at the helm of I.J. Leonard's cruiser "Gadget" with her attendants Bernice Daniel (seated on the helm) and Agnes Kucemba. Eighteen sail boats and forty power boats took part in the procession before a day of races.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Lundrigan, Bliss; Daniel, Bernice; Kucemba, Agnes;

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. "Spirit of Electricity" float. Three nymphs with lighting bolts for arms decorate front of float; young woman wearing crown and ermine coat and two men in uniform are at rear of float. (T. Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Pick-up truck pulls float for "Tacoma Parks" decorated with fir tree, flowering trees, daffodils and white doves. In the background: Tacoma Cut Rate Auto Supply, Cut Price Drugs, Strand Market (T. Times, 4/1/39, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades);

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade, April 1, 1939; prize winning "Sons of Italy" float. Couple seated under gondola canopy with a singing gondolier at front of float portraying the city of Venice, Italy. Italians were among Tacoma's many ethnic groups in the 1930s. The 1939 parade took 40 minutes to pass and was nearly 2 miles long. There were 18 bands and 24 floats using 750, 000 daffodils. (T. Times 4/1/1939, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades); Sons of Italy (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee parade on July 22, 1939. View down Pacific Avenue, opposite the old Sears Roebuck building, looking north. Parade of approaching army trucks and artillery. Between 4,500-4,600 sailors, soldiers and marines participated in the Golden Jubilee parade. There were more than 60 floats, 20 of them entered by Washington counties, and numerous horses, antique automobiles, horse-drawn fire apparatus, bands and drum and bugle corps. Spectators, estimated at more than 100,000, lined the entire parade route. The parade was 14 miles long and took three hours to pass. It formed at 17th & Broadway, marched north on Broadway to Division, down Division to Stadium Way to Pacific and south on Pacific to 24th.

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

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Fisher Flouring Mills wishes Washington a special happy anniversary with this layered convection of a float, dotted with girls in white dresses. One girl is perched atop the cake while another is enthroned in the rear under a canopy. The float is colored white and decorated to look like frosting. Fisher Flouring Mills Co. was located at 1153 Dock St.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fisher Flouring Mills (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. All of the counties of Washington were expected to send floats representing their area in the parade, twenty of them did. This float is from Whitman County, located in southeast Washington. It is essentially a farming county, raising wheat, dry peas and livestock on its 2,167 square miles. The float emphasizes the county's importance in the wheat supply. In 1939, it was the leading wheat producing area of the USA. The county was named for Dr. Marcus Whitman, pioneer medical missionary. The vehicle, float #49, is surrounded by sheaves of wheat and topped with bags of barley, oats and wheat.

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

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Our neighbor to the north, King County, entered this float in the parade promoting the county as America's Playground. Pictured at the front of the float are two women pilots, followed by a beauty queen, boaters, tennis players, a singer and a marksman in dark clothes.

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

This evergreen bough covered float promotes two Tacoma and Northwest pioneers, Job Carr and Dr. Charles H. Spinning. A sign on the float states "1864. Dr. C. H. Spinning locates Job Carr on future townsite of Tacoma." In 1864, Job Carr set up a settlement on the waterfront on property he purchased from the federal government. This settlement was to become Tacoma. Dr. Charles H. Spinning is famous as the "canoe and saddle" Doctor. He settled in 1859 on the site of the present Fern Hill. He served for 9 1/2 years as doctor to the Indian Reservations. The float has a canoe on the front with two native Americans, pioneers in the center and a teepee in the back, almost shielded from view by trees.

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

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. This vehicle covered with greenery and studded with dahlias has a sign proclaiming Steilacoom, founded in 1854, as the home of Lee's Dahlia Gardens. A sign on the side of the vehicle reads "Tryon Dahlia Gardens." A young girl in pioneer dress sits atop the float in a straight back chair.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lee's Dahlia Gardens (Steilacoom);

Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Since the date was both Admission and Armistice Day, the parade was a mixture of historical floats and pageantry plus a selection of military men and guns honoring the end of World War I. Soldiers are shown marching in formation in the parade with homes on a hill in the background. This Armistice Day in 1939 was particularly turbulent as Europe was already at war again and America appeared ready to follow. Several anti-war demonstrations were held on this date across the country. (T.Times 11/13/1939, pg 9)

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

Commerce Street Business Men's Dog Parade, April 22, 1939. View of the dog parade moving down the 800 block of Commerce Street. The clock tower of (Old) City Hall is prominently in the background. A large crowd of delighted spectators, numbering in the thousands, line the sidewalk. (T. Times, 4/24/1939, p. 1)

Commerce Street Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children & animals; Spectators--Tacoma--1930-1940; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

1940 Daffodil Parade. Sumner float. Five young women in portals of a daffodil fan. The float was portrayed in the Tacoma Times as a giant paddle wheel a-la a Mississippi riverboat, with a beautiful girl in each paddle. Adams Brake Service building in background. See series G20.1 image 134 for a another photograph of the same float. (T. Times)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1940 :Tacoma);

1940 Daffodil Parade; "City of Electric Homes" float, winning first place in the Municipal Division. This float entered by City Lights had a kitchen carpeted with daffodils and filled with various electric appliances. Two women are shown seated in the model home kitchen. Grocery store in apartment building in background. (T. Times 3/30/ 1940, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1940 :Tacoma);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Tacoma Elks Lodge #174 Golden Jubilee float. On July 1, 1940, the Elks Lodge float had the honor of being the first float in the massive parade honoring the grand openings of both the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. A stately elk is nearly hidden among the flowers and greenery, while a large clock, encircled with greens, points to 11 o'clock. The lodge was celebrating its 50th anniversary in Tacoma and more than 400 Elks marched in the parade. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p.1, 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, July 1, 1940. These five children and two adults reportedly represented the Norwegian Community on a float in the Narrows Bridge-McChord Field Parade through downtown Tacoma streets on July 1st. They were not the only international groups as floats representing Switzerland, Sweden and Japan were also entered. Over 60,000 parade viewers enthusiastically greeted all participants. Tacoma set aside June 29-July 4 for celebrating the opening of the (first) Narrows Bridge and the new McChord airbase. (T.Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

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

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, July 1, 1940. Farm Maid Dairy Bar/Tacoma Milk Producers/KMO Radio float carrying a large group of young people on back of decorated truck. The children wave merrily to parade viewers as they and their streamer-bedecked truck pass by. The City of Tacoma threw on a huge celebration in honor of the opening of the first Narrows Bridge and the newest national airbase, McChord Flying Field. Crowds estimated between 60,000-100,000 viewed the 1 1/2 hour parade after the bridge dedication. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Old Tacoma Improvement Club float. Designed by Walt Sutter, the Old Tacoma Improvement Club float was possibly the most original of those entered in the July 1, 1940, celebratory parade. It featured a series of "firsts," replicas of Old Tacoma: first church (St. Peter's Church), first home (Job Carr cabin), first electric power plant, first shipment of lumber, first survey of Puget Sound, and the oldest bell tower in America. Tacoma was celebrating the grand openings of the (first) Narrows Bridge and the country's newest airbase, McChord Field. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

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

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, July 1, 1940. Large group of men dressed as Native Americans with war paint. These representatives of the fraternal order "Improved Order of Redmen" marched in the celebratory parade, honoring the grand openings of the new (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the country's newest airbase, McChord Field. Crowds estimated from 60,000-100,000 watched the 1 1/2 hour parade as it wove its way through downtown Tacoma. The Order of the Redmen was founded in 1765 as the Sons of Liberty. It was a secret society dedicated to throwing off the bonds of English tyranny. After the revolution, it assumed its current name. The group is devoted to inspiring a greater love of the United States of America and the principles of American liberty. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Indians of North America--Tacoma; Headdresses; Drill teams--Tacoma; Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma); Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, July 1, 1940. A variety of cars, trucks and floats took part in the 1940 celebratory parade for the new (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and opening of McChord Flying Field. View of automobile decorated as a float with crepe paper streamers for Skansie Brothers' Richfield Service; it was parked across the street from American Marble on Jefferson Avenue. A woman is seated on the car's fender.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Paper products--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, July 1, 1940. Sponsored by the Peninsula community, and taking note of the 1940 presidential elections, an automobile festooned with flags, greenery and a portrait of President Roosevelt with caption "He gave us the bridge, he will protect it" injected a political aspect into the July 1, 1940, parade. A solemn "Uncle Sam" rests his hand on the stopped vehicle. The Republicans countered with a Wendell Willkie float of their own. Other signs include: "Watch the Peninsula Grow:" and "Rosedale." The massive parade was just one of the many celebratory events occuring June 29 - July 4 which honored the openings of the new (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. Others included the annual Y.M.B.C. water carnival, block parties, and a July 4th extravaganza at Stadium Bowl. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political campaigns; Signs (Notices); Flags;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Brown Floral Company float. Four women seated among large baskets of floral sprays during the July 1, 1940, parade honoring the openings of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. The sight of beautifully decorated commercial floats from Brown's and Carsten's Packing drew enthusiastic responses from the massive throngs viewing the 1 1/2 hour parade. Brown's has been a longtime institution in Tacoma; it is still located at 4734 South Tacoma Way. (T. Times, 7-1-40, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brown's Conservatory of Flowers (Tacoma);