1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. "East Meets West," the entry from the Orting-Fife-Milton communities, was decorated in 92,000 daffodils for the 43rd annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade in April of 1976. At 120-feet, the longest float to ever enter the parade depicted the May 10, 1869, meeting of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific locomotives at Promontory Summit, Utah, to complete the country's first transcontinental railroad. The three-part float and its costumed passengers (students from the communities) are photographed on Pacific Avenue near the Olympus Hotel. The float would be honored with the FTD Sweepstakes award for best overall float. (TNT 4-11-76, AA2-article; TNT 4-10-76, A-3-article; www.nps.gov/archive/gosp/history/GSNHS_hist.html-article on railroads)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Des Moines community's 53-foot Waterland Festival float was decorated in our country's national colors and boasted a 20-piece stage band. Also aboard were four members of the Queen's court. It was one of the 33 floats entered in the 43rd annual Daffodil Festival Grand Floral parade and was awarded third place in the "other festivals" category.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The theme of the 43rd annual Grand Floral Parade was "America's 200 Years." Tacoma City Light traditionally built the non-competitive Queen's float for the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. Aboard the "Mayflower" on Saturday, April 10, 1976, was Daffodil Queen Renee Hopp of Rogers High School and her royal court escorted in the bright sunshine by yellow-clad Daffodilians. The 42-foot float was one-third the actual size of the original ship and was decorated with 10,000 yellow, short-stemmed daffodils. Since the ship's sails were folded, crowds lining the route could better see the parade's royalty. (TNT 4-10-1976, A-3-article)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hopp, Renee; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1975 Daffodil Festival Parade. Two teams of horses pull a replica of an old fashioned Conestoga wagon down Pacific Avenue on April 12, 1975, during the 42nd annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. A similar wagon, if not this particular one, would be Washington State's entry in the Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage to Pennsylvania in 1976. It was a fitting reminder of the parade's theme - "Remember When."
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1975 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Wagon trains--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;
1975 Daffodil Festival Parade. This Lakewood Summer Festival entry was one of the 34 floats enjoyed by parade spectators during the 42nd annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. The cheerful display of this multi-part float incorporating bright goldens, pinks, reds and pure whites in summer suns added to the overall sunny day. The float won the best festival award for the 1975 parade.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1975 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1975 Daffodil Festival Parade. Traveling from Vancouver, B.C., was the entry from the Pacific National Exhibition entitled "Pageant of the Pacific." A small orca leaps among the rolling waves while two women wave to the throngs lining Pacific Avenue. An "ancient" vessel with sails is mid-center on the float. The PNE float won second place in "Towns over 5000" category.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1975 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1974 Daffodil Parade. Passing by Pearl & Eddie's Restaurant at 8th & Pacific was the entry from the Pacific National Exhibition which had traveled from Vancouver, B.C. Entitled "Love-A-Fair," the Canadian float was colorfully decorated in red, white and yellow blossoms and several tall whirligigs. A cheerful clown and small animal-filled carousel along with two smiling African American young ladies completed the float. The float won the Festival trophy for best from another festival.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1974 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Afifi Temple had an appropriate float for the April 6, 1974, Daffodil Festival Grand Parade whose theme was "What the World Needs Now..." The country was suffering from a shortage of gasoline so the Afifi entry which had paused on its route down Pacific Avenue to "fill" up a clown's tiny cycle, probably spoke volumes to the parade spectators. A daffodil "oil derrick" is displayed behind a flower-bedecked tent. Several persons dressed in colorful "Middle Eastern" garb monitor the distribution of oil and gas. Fresh palm branches were imported and placed among the 35,000 daffodils. The clever Afifi Temple float captured the Grand Award, runner-up to the FTD Sweepstakes.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1974 Daffodil Parade. "Fun and Laughter" certainly exemplified the Bates Vocational-Technical Institute's entry in the 1974 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade. Raggedy Ann and Andy rode on top of the golden daffodil-covered float along with a giant Jack-in-the-box, brightly colored blocks and a small carousel. Two clowns, one on a unicycle, and four marching "blocks" completed the entertaining float. With an artful use of 40,000 daffodils, the Bates float captured the FTD Sweepstakes Award for the best in show.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clowns;
1974 Daffodil Parade. The Seattle SeaFair entry spoke of "Pride" and arose patriotic feelings with its display of the American flag in appropriate flowers and a golden eagle at the float's head. Waving to the crowd aboard the float was a young lady dressed in yellow and clutching a bouquet of daffodils; she may have been "Miss SeaFair." This out-of-town entry was selected as the Judges' Award winner for "most original" and was one of the 24 floats included in the parade.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1973 Daffodil Grand Parade. The lack of sunshine did not deter both participants and spectators for the 40th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade held on April 14, 1973. There were 27 floats, 10 mounted units, 33 bands and 25 drill teams to delight the waiting crowds. Entry #20 in the parade was "Universal Freedom" from Bates Vocational Technical Institute. A giant eagle hovers protectively over the three smiling riders aboard the King Alfred & Mt. Hood daffodil-decorated float. It would go on to win the Princess Trophy, awarded to the best float under 30 feet. (TNT 4-15-73, A-14-awards; TNT 4-15-73, B-7)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1973 Daffodil Festival Parade. The theme of the 40th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade was "Happiness Is." This unidentified float, one of 27 in the parade, adds to the theme with "To the Stars." The float is colorfully decorated in golden daffodils including several large stars and a mixture of blue and white flowers, possibly signifying the sky and clouds. Children dressed in multi-colored shawls and pretty dresses wave to the crowds lining Pacific Avenue.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1973 Daffodil Parade. New Westminister's entry in the 1973 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade was a replica of a smoke-bottle type fire engine, drawn by three white "horses" with saddles of golden daffodils. The Canadian city would have its own annual Hyack Festival the following month. The fire engine honored the memory of New Westminster's first firemen who were from the Hyack Fire Co., founded in 1863. It was fitting that two of the riders on the float were also from foreign countries: Annie Wright School students Keiko Noguchi (Japan) and Firouzeh Ladbon (Iran). "Happiness Is An Old Fire Engine" would win second prize in the "Floats from Other Festivals" category with the entry from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival coming in first. (TNT 4-12-73, A-2 -"Faces & Places--article;" TNT 4-15-73, A-14--notice of awards; TNT 4-15-73, D-9-notice of students)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fire engines--Canada;
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.
1972 Daffodil Parade. This entry from St. Regis Paper Co. with its enormous daffodils won the Mayor's Trophy for best use of the flower in the Grand Floral Parade. There were a total of 75,000 golden daffodils on the float. Attendants on the float were possibly employees or employee family members of St. Regis. (TNT 4-9-72, A-4, B-3)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. Garnering second place in the "Other Festivals" division was this entry from the Portland Rose Festival accompanied by the Royal Rosarians. A small old-fashioned plane, apparently made of golden daffodils, rests above blue skies and fluffy clouds. Her female "pilot" waves to the waiting crowd.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. Winner of the Grand Award in the 1972 Grand Floral Parade was the entry from the Sumner Community which depicted a 15-foot high figure of Betsy Ross sewing stars on a giant flag. The 30-foot long float held some 40,000 daffodils. Sumner is located in the heart of the Puyallup Valley and the float would continue its parade march down Sumner's Main Street. (TNT 4-9-72, B-1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. Tacoma's weather had a bit of everything for the 39th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. Brilliant sunshine, rain squalls, gusty winds, and hail/snow greeted the thousands assembled on Saturday, April 8th. Sheer raincoats covered the beautiful gowns of the festival's princesses riding on the Puyallup Community's Princess float pictured above; even the Daffodilians marching along wore clear rain jackets over their bright yellow coats. (TNT 4-9-72, A-1 -article)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. Police units from both the Tacoma Police Department and Pierce County Sheriff were an integral part of the annual Daffodil Parade. Proceeding down wet Pacific Avenue on April 8, 1972, was believed to be a contingent from the Tacoma Police Department. The motorcycle officers were in "V" formation.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Police--Tacoma--1970-1980; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. "Lady of the Lake" was the name of the Olympia Capital Lakefair float in the 1972 Grand Floral Parade. This rosy entry captured second place in the "Communities and cities over 5,000 population" division.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. Close-up of prize-winning St. Regis Paper Co. float. A bouquet of giant daffodils is the focus of the float, seemingly much larger than the attendants waving to the throngs waiting on Pacific Avenue. St. Regis was a perennial winner in the Grand Floral Parade; in 1972, it won the Mayor's Trophy for best use of daffodils.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. The first float in the annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade has traditionally been the Queen's Float, a non-competitive entry of Tacoma City Light. In 1972, designer Graydon Bailey, preparing for the often unpredictable spring weather, even equipped the festival queen, Paula Achziger, with a bubble top umbrella. 58,000 golden daffodils were used to blanket the float. (TNT 4-9-72, A-1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Achziger, Paula;
1972 Daffodil Parade. View of Sweepstakes winner as it passes by Dammeier Printing, the Olympus Hotel and Robblee's Safe & Lock Co. on Pacific Ave. This entry from the Olympia Brewing Co. won the coveted FTD Sweepstakes Award for best overall float in the 1972 Grand Floral parade. It used 45,000 daffodils and an array of greenery to promote the festival's theme, "Proudly We Hail." The Olympia Brewing Co. further extended the theme to include "Proudly We Hail the Great Northwest," with deer, rabbits, mice and a skunk sharing the landscape. Water from the float's own tank provided the liquid needed for the float's waterfall. Waving to the crowds were Jane Adams and Pat Strahl, who stood within lavender blossoms that opened and closed to the delight of spectators. (TNT 4-9-72, A-1, A-4, B-3)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. Making an appeal for "Universal Peace" was the entry from the Fife-Milton Daffodil Association. Doves "flew" over the yellow and pink blossoms of this award-winning float. This lovely float won the Judges' Trophy for originality. (TNT 4-9-72, A-4, B-7)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. Neither rain nor wind nor sleet slowed the procession of jeeps rumbling down Pacific Avenue in the 1972 Daffodil Parade. The colorful jeeps belonged to members of the Webfooters Jeep Club. Directly behind the last of the jeeps was the Civil Defense bus.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Jeep automobile;
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);
