1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Little Wheels Quarter Midget Association's entry in the April 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade was entitled "A First for Puget Sound." Tacoma would be the location of the 1977 Grand Nationals championship to be held August 8-20th. Three hopefuls for the competition are in their vehicles aboard the daffodil-covered float. The Little Wheels of Tacoma would be awarded the Princess Trophy for best float under 30'. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Marching briskly down Pacific Avenue in chilly 46 degree weather was this band and drill unit believed to be representing the Nanaimo branch of the Naval Sea Cadets. American and Canadian flags are borne by two marchers in the foreground while an assorted number of flagbearers with Canadian provincial flags follow the brass-and-drum band.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Marching bands; Flags--United States; Flags--Canada;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Mayor and Mrs. Gordon Johnston, in a white and yellow '57 Ford Sunliner convertible, acknowledge the parade watchers on April 16, 1977. Following them is County Commissioner Clay Huntington and guests in a red and white '55 Chevy Bel Air. Although the weather was a brisk 46 degrees, rain held off and sunshine broke through during the two hour parade. 36 floats, 26 bands, 7 drill teams and 21 special units participated in the 44th annual festival.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Ford automobile; Chevrolet automobile;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Waving to the crowd are three young ladies in white; they are aboard the Portland Rose Festival float entitled "Roses & Daffodils & Friendship." The white & yellow & red float extends an old-fashioned greeting card invitation to the Rose Festival on June 2-13th. It would win second place in the Communities over 5000 category. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "A Salute to King Alfred" was the Reno Rodeo Festival float, sponsored by Del Webb's Primadonna Casino, entered in the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade. The white-framed Victorian garden was decorated with golden King Alfred daffodils. Five white clad women in soft summer hats, all former Daffodil queens, waved to the spectators lined up along Pacific Avenue. They were listed as: Renee Hopp (1976), Wendy Van Noy (1975), Lori Weber Durr (1974), Sherri Murrey (1973), and Jean Fink Jones (1971). (TNT 4-17-77, A-1 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Puget Sound USA" was the L.H. Bates Vocational Technical Institute's entry in the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. Sea gulls and a whale swimming in a blue ocean of flowers along with a lighthouse made of golden daffodils are symbols of this part of Washington. 25,000 daffodils were used on Bates' float which was awarded the President's Trophy for animation.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. County Commissioner and Mrs. Joe Stortini greet parade watchers on April 16, 1977. They are riding in a blue-and-white 1955 Ford Fairlane convertible. Mr. Stortini had been a state legislator and longtime football coach at Mount Tahoma. In November of 1976, Mr. Stortini defeated Republican Robert Odman in the race for Pierce County Commissioner; Mr. Stortini had previously beaten incumbent George Sheridan in the primary.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Stortini, Joe; Ford automobile;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "The 'Cord' That Ties Puget Sound To The World." McChord AFB's entry in the 1977 Grand Floral parade was bedecked with golden daffodils and mementos of familiar Washington sights including the Space Needle, St. Joseph Hospital and the Capitol Bldg. Two airmen stood at the rear of the 42-foot long float just in front of a flowered globe and American flag. Two model airplanes "flew" nearby. 60,000 daffodils were used in the creation of this award-winning float which captured the Judges' Trophy for originality. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3-article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. One of the smaller floats participating in the 44th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival was the entry from KTAC radio - a golf cart. Covered with golden daffodils, the cart held several men, probably employees of the radio station. It pulled a flower-bedecked unit containing a miniature van. KTAC was number 85 on the dial.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Purple was much in evidence in the entry from the Spokane Lilac Association. Association members wearing deep purple jackets accompanied the float which was decorated with yellow daffodils, trees and lilac-tinted blossoms. Three members of the royal court happily greet parade spectators.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. The vessel "Eckankar" sailed down Pacific Avenue during the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade on April 16, 1977. Sponsored by the Tacoma Satsang Society, the float won second place in the Clubs & Organizations category.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Wenatchee Salutes Puget Sound USA" was the entry from the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival. Queen Debbie Crump and two princesses, wearing red apple prints, acknowledge the parade spectators. They are accompanied by several marching Apple Blossom Festival officials. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Crump, Debbie;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Riding on the back of a killer whale float and accompanied by princesses Mary Riggleman and Karon DiLoreto is Carol Glenn, 1977 Daffodil Queen from Bethel High School. Miss Glenn was the first queen chosen from her school and the first African-American to receive the honor. Her "Whale of a Float" was designed by Tacoma City Light and was decorated with 13,000 daffodils. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Glenn, Carol; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980; African American women--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1970 Daffodil Parade. "The Greatest Showman on Earth" was the Sumner Community's entry in the 1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. The happy faced giant clown, accompanied by balloons trailing in the breeze and peanuts spilling from a red-and-white striped bag, was awarded the top Sweepstakes Award. The 40-foot long float utilized 80,000 daffodils. It was designed by Sumner postman James Woolery. (TNT 4-11-70, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clowns;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Fife-Milton entry in the April, 1970, Daffodil Parade won first place in the incorporated communities over 2500 population category. "Nature's Greatest Show - Aurora Borealis" carried the "Queen of Light," Karen Heckert and her two attendants, Kathy Burgi and Margaret Kinoshita. The startling blue-tinted blossoms provided an attractive setting for the three members of royalty standing among the revolving "Northern lights" in their shiny costumes as well as the tranquil "sea" from which a penguin and a polar bear of daffodils eyeballed each other. (TNT 4-11-70 - article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Heckert, Karen; Burgi, Kathy; Kinoshita, Margaret;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. Waving to the crowd are the 1970 Daffodil Queen, Shelley Grobey of Mount Tahoma High school, and four royal princesses: Sue Briehl of Bethel, Diane Schlumpf of Orting, Correen Orton of Sumner and Kay Riippi of Lincoln High School. They are seated on the Tacoma City Light entry, "Circus Centennial," in keeping with the festival's theme of "Greatest Show on Earth." Queen Shelley is seated just before the mouth of a giantic daffodil tiger. The 42-foot float adorned with 45,000 white and yellow daffodils, was created by Graydon Bailey, a City Light lineman. This float ran very quietly as it was an all-electric, battery-powered float. The 75-piece Mount Tahoma marching band and 55-member drill team, following the Queen's float, had the honor of the first high school entry in the parade. (TNT 4-12-70, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Grobey, Shelley; Briehl, Sue; Schlumpf, Diane; Orton, Correen; Riippi, Kay; Marching bands; Drill teams;

1970 Daffodil Parade. Closer view of the float entered by the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival as it proceeds down Pacific Avenue during the April 11, 1970, Daffodil Festival Parade. The lovely float is decorated with sprays of pink and gold blooms. Pink Grecian columns in front have flowers cascading; other pillars curve gently around the seated princesses. Acknowledging the throngs gathered along Pacific Avenue were Queen Kim Horan and princesses Jane Drake and Gail Burgener. This entry was one of 31 floats participating in the parade. (TNT 4-12-70, B-2, B-6)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Horan, Kim; Drake, Jane; Burgener, Gail;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. The theme for the 37th annual Daffodil Festival Parade was "The Greatest Show on Earth." With its troupe of accompanying clowns, the Bethel Boosters prize-winning 34-foot long float, "Trapeze," certainly was emblematic of the day. 30,000 yellow and purple daffodils provided a fitting background for Bethel High School senior Sue Swenson and her attendants, Helen Adams, Debbi Daffer, Janet Ingle and Linda Seanard, who merrily swung on trapezes. The float, one of 31 entered in the parade, was awarded the Queen's Award for best portrayal of the festival's theme. (TNT 4-11-70- article; TNT 4-12-70, B-3)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Swenson, Sue; Adams, Helen; Daffer, Debbi; Ingle, Janet; Seanard, Linda; Clowns;

1970 Daffodil Festival Paradel. For the second straight year, brilliant blue skies greeted the spectators of the annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. Coming a fair distance from the city of Wenatchee was the entry from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival. Pink Grecian pillars topped with sprays of yellow daffodils and pink blossoms provided an attractive setting for the festival princesses. The Wenatchee entry would win the "Other Festival Award." The float was followed by the 45-piece Eatonville High School band accompanied by the 22-member drill team and 10 majorettes. In the background is the old Public Safety Building.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Public Safety Building (Tacoma); Marching bands;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. Winner of the Grand Award for the second consecutive year, the St. Regis Paper Co.'s 1970 entry, "Nature's 3-Ring Circus," measured 65-feet in length and supported three large rings on three different levels. More than 130,000 daffodils were used to create the wonders of nature. Portraying vacationers and nature lovers were six St. Regis employees: Janet McAlister, Debra Weinhart, Kay Koth, LaRue Rasmussen, Marina Nason and Kathy Turbyfill. (TNT 4-11-70, p. 1 - article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980;

1970 Daffodil Parade. Led by drum major Chuck Whitman, the black-and-gold clad 100-member marching band from Puyallup High School takes a bow before the rows of spectators lining the streets of downtown Tacoma for the 37th annual Daffodil Festival Parade. Each side of Pacific Avenue gets its own section of musicians bowing. Following the band are the Vikettes drill team in purple and gold. The April 11, 1970, parade attracted crowds of over 100,000 during its three city tour; the Puyallup High School band was one of 23 bands participating and the Vikettes, one of 18 drill teams. Beautiful sunny weather for the second year in a row helped to make the parade one of the most heavily attended in parade history. (TNT 4-11-79 - article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Marching bands; Drill teams;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. The brightness of the Yakima Sunfair Time float was visible blocks away due to its golden sunflowers and big orange globe. Had the parade occurred on a dreary day, the float's vibrant colors would have chased any errant rainclouds. Even under blue skies, the orange and yellows were a striking contrast to the gray roadway. The Yakima Sunfair float topped the "other festivals" list. Aboard the float were Miss Yakima Jenece McClain and princesses Luanne Herzig and Linda Edeler. (TNT 4-12-70, B-2, B-3)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; McClain, Jenece; Herzig, Luanne; Edeler, Linda;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. Hoping to excite the throngs gathered to view the 1970 Daffodil Parade as it passes by the bus depot on Pacific Avenue, some members of the 40-piece Woodrow Wilson High School drill team raise their arms in a cheer and salute. Led by captain Sharon Tinsman, the colorfully dressed girls are preceding the school's 82-piece band. No rain clouds threatened the enjoyment of the parade that year as brilliant sunshine was present throughout the parade's three city tour.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Marching bands; Drill teams;

Shortly after the 1971 Junior Daffodil Parade was completed on March 26th, twelve Daffodil princesses posed with an Arabian horse and costumed rider in the vicinity of the Tacoma Totem Pole, 9th & A St. The high school seniors are all wearing rain jackets to combat the chilly and windy weather conditions. Jean Fink of Lakes High School, sixth from left and touching the Arabian, would be chosen Queen of the 1971 Daffodil Festival three days later. Photograph ordered by Daffodil Arabian Horse Show.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fink, Jean; Horses--Tacoma;

1971 Daffodil Parade. Chugging down Pacific Avenue on April 3, 1971, was the Gig Harbor entry to the 1971 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade. The vessel, festooned with bright yellow daffodils, had several young women dressed in wet weather gear waving to the large crowd. The artful use of daffodils won Gig Harbor the "Mayor's" trophy for best use of the flower. The theme of the 1971 parade was "Nature - Our Greatest Heritage." (TNT 4-3-71, p. 1 - article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1971 Daffodil Parade. Rather than racing, these two charioteers move in step down the Tacoma parade route of the 1971 Daffodil Festival Parade. Both chariots are adorned with bright yellow daffodils and are being pulled by teams of brown and grayish horses.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Chariots--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

1971 Daffodil Parade. Mayor Gordon N. Johnston and wife Esther wave to the throngs alongside Pacific Avenue on April 3, 1971, at the start of the annual Daffodil Festival Parade. Behind them in another antique automobile is Basil Anton and wife; Mr. Anton is the president of the Festival. Paradegoers were fortunate to have blue skies and plenty of sunshine for this springtime parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Johnston, Esther; Anton, Basil; Anton, Basil--Family; Automobiles--Tacoma;

1971 Daffodil Parade. Dressed in sharp blue blazers, white skirts, blue berets and white boots, the Renaissance Drill Team of Seattle marched in formation down Tacoma's downtown streets before thousands of waiting spectators. The girls were one of 19 drill teams participating in the 1971 Daffodil Parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Drill teams;

1971 Daffodil Parade. The view of the Old Public Safety Building (former Northern Pacific Railroad headquarters) retreats in the background as the cadets of Marymount Academy march down Pacific Ave during the 1971 Daffodil Parade. The young men perform rifle maneuvers as the crowd watches. The group from Marymount was one of 19 drill teams entered in the parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Drill teams; Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway);

1971 Daffodil Parade. This was the Tacoma Fire Department's entry to the 1971 Daffodil Festival Parade. Its appearance generally signified the end of the parade as evidenced by the movement of the crowd. According to information received from a reader, this was a 1970 American LaFrance which was housed at the now-closed old Fire Station #12, a station still located on the south side of East 11th between Thorne Rd. and the Port of Tacoma Rd. It was Tacoma Truck Co. #4, a ladder truck which did not carry water or hoses. (Additional information/identification from a reader)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma);