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);

On July 1, 1940, there was a parade in Tacoma to celebrate the openings of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. The most unusual float was that of Tacoma's YMCA, Phalanx Club. Four young men, their bodies silvered, rode on a float while holding up a large globe. Here are the men - minus the globe. Before the year's end, the bridge, which quickly became known as Galloping Gertie, had collapsed into the Narrows. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 3).

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

This truck, adorned with large American flags, was believed to have participated in the 1918 Labor Day parade that swung through Tacoma's downtown streets on September 2nd. It carried an unidentified well-dressed man holding what may have been sheets of paper containing stamps. Signs urged people to buy US savings stamps to support the war. 18,000 workmen carried American flags, allied banners and union banners in what organizers believed was the largest Labor Day parade to date. (TDL 9-2-18, p. 1-article; TDL 9-3-18, p. 1-article)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920; Signs (Notices); Flags--United States;

In March of 1934, (l to r) Frankie Cowan, Billye Fairchild, and Betty Brumbaugh wearing long Spring dresses and stylish hats posed in a field of bright yellow daffodils to help advertise the first ever Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival. Several days before the parade, Puyallup lawyer Herman Zander had still not selected a Festival Queen. Mrs. Elizabeth Lee Wooton of Puyallup was finally selected when he saw her stroll by his office window. Billye Fairchild was selected the Queen's attendant from Tacoma. In the early days of the Festival, pre-1950s, the Queen had to be from either Sumner or Puyallup. TPL-9812

Organizers of the first Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival in March of 1934 were not above using a little "cheesecake" to advertise their fledgling flower festival. Left to right, Frankie Cowan, Betty Brumbaugh and Billye Fairchild pose in thirties swimsuits in field of bright spring daffodils. The first festival was the brain child of Tacoman Lee Merrill and was loosely patterned on the Dutch flower festivals held around Easter. The 1934 event included the reign of the first Daffodil Queen, Elizabeth Lee Wooten, a parade (then called the "procession") and "Bulb Sunday," where visitors were invited to motor out to the fields and view the blossoms.

Three bathing beauties, left to right, Frankie Cowan, Betty Brumbaugh and Billye Fairchild, pose in the chilly spring air in their swimsuits and goosebumps amid the bright yellow daffodils. They are advertising the first annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival in March of 1934. The festivities, originated by Tacoman Lee Merrill, would include a Queen, a parade and a "Bulb Sunday." On Sunday, area residents were encouraged to motor out and view the daffodil fields. The first festival had a total budget of $600.

Frankie Cowan can hardly hold back a laugh. She is heartily enjoying posing in a field of bright Spring daffodils as a promotion for the first annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival in March of 1934. Miss Cowan is Frances Cowan, a saleswoman at the Peoples Store who resides at 621 So. Yakima Ave.

This daffodil decorated horse and driver were one of the entries in the first Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade in 1934. The two wheeled cart was advertising Will Rogers in the motion picture "David Harem" playing at the Roxy Theater. Most of the entries in the first parade were modest when compared to later years. The parade began at Union Station, travelled through downtown Tacoma then on to Puyallup, Sumner and Orting.

Margaret Thomas, crowned Queen Margaret I of the 1935 Greater Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival, smiles serenely over her bouquet of daffodils. The twenty three year old from Sumner was the first Queen chosen in an actual contest. Queen Margaret was selected from a field of ten candidates. The very first Festival Queen, Mrs. Elizabeth Lee Wooten, was selected by a committee without a contest. Until the mid-1950s, the Queen was always from Sumner or Puyallup, the birthplaces of the daffodil industry.

Queen Margaret I, Margaret Thomas of Sumner, and her four attendants pose on their Daffodil Parade float on March 23, 1935. The attendants are, left to right, Irma Jane Janig, Sumner; Billie Barto, Puyallup; Olive Chervenka, Sumner; and Evelyn Mellinger of Tacoma. The 1935 parade was the second annual.

Float sponsored by the City of Tacoma in the 1936 Daffodil Parade, symbolizing the city's dominance in public utilities. In the forefront are three rearing horses pulling a large wheel. A large dynamo is in the back, an emblem of the power of the hydroelectric plants. (TDL 4/19/1936, pg. 1)

Daffodil Parade float entry by KMO radio, a floral representation of a microphone with the call letters KMO. The float was probably an entry in the 1936 parade. Several patches of daffodils in the outer ring of the microphone are missing showing the chicken wire base.

1936 Daffodil Queen Helen Edgerton of Puyallup. In the early years, the queen alternated year to year between Puyallup and Sumner residents. The first queen from Tacoma was in 1956 and from Orting in 1962.

The Young Mens' Business Club entry in the 1936 Daffodil Parade was this flower covered replica of the bastions at the restored Fort Nisqually at Point Defiance. The restored Fort had opened in 1934. A sign on the float advertises the "Beaver Centennial" 1836-1936, a celebration to be held July 4, 1936.

The Rotary Club, a perennial entrant in the Daffodil Parade, entered this flower bedecked emblem of Rotary International in the 1936 parade. The word "Service" is emblazoned on the side of the float.

ca. 1935. This float was entered in one of the very early Daffodil Festival parades, most likely 1935. A grass covered car is topped by a daffodil basket in which sit two charming cherubs. The two children are dressed formally, he in top hat and tails and she in a white bonnet. The floats at this time period were very simple; usually flower covered cars or mounted on the flat beds of small trucks.

Stock footage of the 1964 Daffodil Parade. Peering from all nooks and crannies are spectators, young and old, who are watching the 31st annual Daffodil Parade. The object of their fascination is the non-competitive Queen's float bearing Puyallup High School senior Karen Goettling and four of her princesses: Janet Wendorf, Sandra Sutherland, Carol Samuelson and Shari Berntsen. The 46' float "Americana" was designed by Bill Knabel and decorated by 85 City Light employees and their families the night before the parade. Each year millions of daffodils would be used in celebration of the day. The Queen's float alone bore 44,000 yellow and 6,000 white daffodils. (TNT 4-12-64, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Goettling, Karen Jane; Wendorf, Janet; Sutherland, Sandra; Samuelson, Carol; Berntsen, Shari; Daffodils--Tacoma;

Stock footage of the April 11, 1964, Daffodil Parade. Parade watching is still a pleasant Tacoma pastime as these folks are gathered to view the 31st annual Daffodil Parade as it proceeds through downtown Tacoma. The American flag, positioned at the front of the above float, flaps briskly in the wind. The start of the parade saw temperatures of 42 degrees and blustery, cloudy weather. By noon, the clouds had parted and April sunshine had appeared. Several women and children are dressed in clothing of their native lands, including Philippines, Japan, Switzerland, and other European countries, in compliance with the parade's theme, "Nations on Parade." A large ball, probably signifying the Earth, is constructed from flowers and readily seen on a slight ramp.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades); Flags--United States;

With cheerful waves, St. Regis Paper Co.'s entry in the 1964 Daffodil parade slowly passes through the downtown streets of Tacoma during the 31st annual event. Billowing tapestry and flowered canopies and fountains decorated this beautiful float. St. Regis, for the second year in a row, won the Sweepstakes Award. The float, "Kismet," with 70,000 daffodils on board, was built by company employees. It featured the harems of ancient India with a large dome, chiffon curtains, and stately attendants. An elaborate peacock tail constructed of wrought iron was at the front of the 55' float. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 4-11-64, p. 1, TNT 4-12-64, A-9)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1960-1970;

Stock footage of Daffodil Parade. A rearing horse, "Black Beauty," draws the attention of spectators in front of the Washington Building on April 10, 1965, at the 32nd annual Daffodil Parade. Three cowgirls wave to the crowds on both sides of Pacific Ave. near 11th St. while a fourth, seated before a giant garland-covered horseshoe, also acknowledges the appreciative throngs. The theme of the parade was "Masterpieces." It was televised live on two stations, KTNT and KIRO. Thousands in person and at home viewed the 29 floats, 20 bands, 14 drill teams, five drum & bugle corps and seven mounted units. (TNT 4-9-65, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1965 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Horses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Horseshoes; Washington Building (Tacoma);

1967 Daffodil Parade. The whimsical "Fun in Cartoons" entry from the Sumner community brought smiles to the spectators of the 1967 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade. Gallant Snoopy leads the way atop his little doghouse at the foreground of the pink-and-gold themed float with Bugs Bunny standing guard. The 43-foot float was decorated with 55,000 daffodils plus orchids, gladioli and carnations. (TNT 4-9-67, A-8)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1967: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

1968 Richards stock footage of Daffodil Festival. Puget Power's entry, #15, in the 35th annual Daffodil Festival meanders down Pacific Avenue nearing the Peoples department store on April 6, 1968. The charming Asian setting with "Madam Butterfly" seated in the rear won Puget Power second place in the commercial group. Theme of the parade was "Tales & Legends." (TNT 4-7-68, B-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

1968 Richards stock footage of Daffodil Festival. It appears that these leprechauns are basking in a sea of gold in this entry from the Orting Community. One lucky lady has followed the rainbow to a stash of golden coins. An enormous shamrock serves as a backdrop to the float; it is possible that it was composed of dyed green daffodils. Orting's "Leprechauns" was entry #9 in the 35th annual Daffodil Festival parade. (TNT 4-7-68, B-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;