Float for Pacific Lutheran College with participants waving and smiling below a representation of palm trees at the 1954 Daffodil Parade. A building with a sign reading "Motive Parts, Machine Shop Service," can be seen in the background.

Crowd at the 1954 Daffodil Parade standing outside of the Burr Gregory store. Children outside hold a long string of balloons.

Float for Pacific Lutheran College with participants smiling below a representation of palm trees at the 1954 Daffodil Parade.

ca. 1910. McClintock's World Famous So. Tacoma Band. Men dressed in costumes for a parade. The bell of one of the horns says "So. Tacoma Tigers - Pacific Coast Champions, 1910"

ca. 1908. McClintock's World Famous So. Tacoma Band. Men in costumes in parade on So. Union Ave. The vehicles and men cover from the sidewalk into the street. C.S. (Carl S.) Enger's hardware store, 5401 So. Union Ave., in background.

Tacoma High School students parade to "Boost the Stadium." The campaign to raise $100,000 to build a beautiful high school stadium next to the school was successfully launched on October 6, 1908, when 2,000 school children ranging from 7th-8th grade to high schoolers marched in the "Boost for Stadium" parade. The school district cooperated by making the day a half-day so that the youngsters could march from Tacoma High School (later renamed Stadium High School) to the Union Club and then onto the downtown business district. Led by the Tacoma Musicians Union, who provided their services without charge, the marchers chanted "Boost for the stadium, stadium, stadium" and "Stadium, stadium, stadium, stadium" throughout the long walk. Paraders canvassed the business blocks of Commerce and "C" (now Broadway) and Pacific and would go on to canvas residential areas after school the next day. They asked businesses to contribute $10 promissory notes payable to the Board of Education. Each $10 entitled subscribers to one seat in the stadium for all entertainments there for the next five years. Supporters of the new stadium aimed to have it completed and ready for dedication and use by May 1, 1909. (TDL 10-6-1908, p. 5-article; TDL 10-7-1908, p.1-article)

The 6th Avenue Business Men's Club entry in the 1935 Daffodil Parade and the winner of the $25 Sweepstakes prize for best float. The float features a flora replica of the Narrows Bridge. Disaster was narrowly averted the night before the parade when decorators ran out of flowers at midnight with the float unfinished. A delegation of volunteers journeyed out to pick 3,000 daffodils by moonlight at the Fox Island fields of Arthur Wright. The float was finished and declared the best of the fifty entered floats. It has over 18,000 blooms. (T. Times 3/25/1935, pg. 16) (filed with Argentum)

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1935 : Tacoma);

A flower bedecked car representing the Tacoma Seed Company passes in front of the reviewing stand for the 1936 Daffodil Parade. The 35 foot tower made of 200,000 daffodils was erected at South 10th and Pacific Avenue. Queen Helen Edgerton and her court viewed the parade from this vantage point after the passage of their own float. 35 floats with hundreds of thousands of blooms thrilled the parade watchers. (T. Times 4-17-36, p. 1-article; T. Times 4-18-36, p. 1-article; T. Times 4/20/1936, pg. 3)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1936 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Reviewing stands; Daffodils; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Like flower fairies, Mary Frances Cavanaugh, left, and Weda Claire Dykeman peek and smile from the inside of giant daffodil blossoms during the 1936 Daffodil Parade. Mary Frances is the daughter of Cecil Cavanaugh, of Cavanaugh Lumber Co., and Weda Claire is the daughter of Doug Dykeman. The 1936 Daffodil Parade was the third annual parade, and the first held in April. The first two parades were held in March. (T. Times 4/20/1936, pg. 3)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1936 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cavanaugh, Mary Frances; Dykeman, Weda Claire;

A small flower-covered float moves along Pacific Avenue during the 1936 Daffodil Parade and over the street car tracks. It passes in front of the reviewing stand at Tenth Street, presided over by the Daffodil Queen and her Court. (T. Times 4/20/1936, pg. 3)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1936 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The 35-feet-high, four-tiered reviewing stand for the 1936 Daffodil Parade on So. 10th Street & Pacific. The stand is covered with 200,000 bright yellow daffodils. The Stationers Inc. at 926 Pacific Avenue can be seen in the background. The picture windows have been cleared of displays to set up chairs for viewing the parade. Children dangle their feet from open third story windows as they wait for the parade to start. Those not having these lofty perches to view the parade have lined up several people deep on the ground. (T. Times 4/20/1936, pg. 3)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1936 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Reviewing stands;

On April 18, 1936, Queen Helen Edgerton enjoys the parade from her throne in the base of the 35 foot daffodil "tower" that served as a reviewing stand for the Daffodil Parade. On either side of her are members of her court. At this time, the princesses did not wear matching dresses, so each member of the court is dressed differently with the wide brimmed hats being the only unifying element. The Princesses are, left to right, Esther Kaufman of Puyallup, Alice Margaret Woods of Tacoma, Helen Rockway of Sumner and Joy Lundrigan of Puyallup.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1936 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Reviewing stands; Edgerton, Helen; Kaufman, Esther; Woods, Alice Margaret; Rockway, Helen; Lundrigan, Joy;

1938 Daffodil Parade. A colonial and native Americans populate a float entered in the parade by the Improved Order of Redmen stating "We organized the Boston Tea Party in 1773." The float is attributed to "The oldest American organization in the United States." The Order of Redmen is indeed one of America's oldest fraternal organizations not imported from another country. It is also chartered by Congress. The group 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.

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

1938 Daffodil Parade. Participants on a float attributed to "The oldest American organization in the United States;" the Improved Order of Redmen. A colonial, representing the group's prerevolutionary background, shakes hands with a Native American, whose culture became the backbone of the society's organization and terminology.

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

Daffodil Pageant. Seven Rainbow Girls dressed in costumes to represent the seven colors of the rainbow stand beside their float. Henderson Machine Works and the Modern Apartments appear in the background. (T.Times, 4/2/1938, p.1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Rainbow Girls (Tacoma);

First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade held August 5, 1938. Bird's-eye view of parade of bikes and people downtown. The parade started at 2:30p.m. Friday afternoon as hundreds of young people pedaled their decorated bikes from 8th and Commerce through downtown streets and ended up at the Stadium Bowl.

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

Hundreds of costumed children on gaily decorated bicycles filled the streets of Tacoma on August 5, 1938 as they took part in the First Annual Bicycle Race Meet and Parade. The parade started at 8th & Commerce, wound through the downtown streets and ended at the Stadium Bowl. The riders were cheered by thousands of spectators. Kids without bicycles could get loaners so that they could take part in the races held in the Stadium Bowl. Prizes were given for best decorated bikes, funniest costumed riders, craziest looking bicycles and oldest bicycles. The top prizes were new, 1939 Schwinn "World" bicycles with all of the latest accessories. (T. Times 7/25/1938, pg. 1- 8/6/1938)

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

The First Annual Tacoma "Bike Meet" was held on Friday August 5, 1938. Hundreds of young Tacomans decorated their bicycles to participate in the parade that started downtown and ended at the Stadium Bowl. After the parade, there were competitive races held on the Bowl track. A Tacoma boy dressed like the comic strip character "Major Hoople," in baggy pants and a stuffed shirt, tips his hat as he stands astride his scooter "Leapin Lena." A young boy, in black mask and hat as the Lone Ranger, sits on a rocking horse, a banner with "Hi Ho Silver" on it, flies behind him. The boy on the right has a new take on "paper boy," his clothes are made out of the Tacoma Times. By the end of the day, three lucky Tacoma youngsters had won new bicycles as prizes.

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

The second annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta. Several wooden power motored yachts, including the "Blanche D," gather on Puget Sound. The day of the regatta, April 3rd 1938, proved to be an exciting one. It opened with a morning fire on one of the yachts, continued on with a collision during the power boat race and ended with a small cabin cruiser capsizing, spilling 5 people into the frigid Puget Sound. They were rescued by a Foss tug. (T. Times 4/4/1938, pg. 1)

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

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Three girls representing Tacoma Assembly No.2, Rainbow Girls, ride a float covered with daffodils. (T.Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)

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

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Lakewood Community Center floats moves down Pacific Avenue passing Merit Paint Store with "cut-rate prices", Stationers, and Washington Hardware. T.Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)

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

Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Lakewood Community Center float passes the Riviera Theatre. Spectators line sidewalks. By 1939, only one stage theater, The Little Theatre, is listed in Tacoma; all others are motion picture theaters. (T. Times, 4/1/39)

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

On April 1, 1939, all the best dressed parade riders were wearing daffodils. These two unidentified young women rode on a float credited to the sixth annual Daffodil Parade wearing dresses and hats made completely of flowers. They smiled brightly from under flower covered hats tied with chiffon bows underneath their chins and carried umbrellas.

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

This truck covered in red, white and blue bunting and awnings was entered by one of the many "Townsend Clubs" in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. The sign on the top promotes "The Townsend Plan for National Prosperity." A sign on the side reads "The Townsend Plan is the only Recovery Plan." Other signs promote "Townsend Plan gives our youth a chance" and "Work for Youth." Directly behind the cab of the truck ride several young women and under the awning ride several of the seniors that supported the Plan. The Plan was formulated in 1934 by Dr. Francis E. Townsend and called for a $200 a month pension for each retired person over the age of 60. The money had to be spent within that 30 days, insuring circulation of funds. It would be financed by a 2% federal sales tax. The Plan had a strong following among seniors, many who had their savings and retirement funds wiped out by the Depression. Although never adopted, the movement had a strong political base.

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

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, on Pacific Avenue. United States Army band approaching spectators sitting on sidewalk curbs at left. Union Station in distance, on right, shrouded by gray sky. View of warehouse district buildings on left. Although the spectators are sparse here, more than 100,000 crowded into Tacoma streets to watch the 14 mile long parade.

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

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Formation of United States Navy sailors marching down newly paved Pacific Avenue. The sailors were part of the more than 4,500 military personnel who took part in the parade. There were also six battleships in dock at the time of the parade. Flags and banners are visible from every point. Good view of Washington Building, Puget Sound National Bank and other buildings in 1100 block, east side.

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

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Several people aboard buckboard drawn by four horses, sign on side reads "Elks 174." Parade spectators along street, two movie cameramen working at right. Review stand on Pacific Avenue held approximately 200 people. Parade and other activities held during July 16-23, 1939, celebrated Washington's fifty years of statehood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Old 1900 South End Transfer "Lock, McLean, Dean" wagon drawn by horses being loaded with "Paul Bunyon Loggers" signs for Bone Dry Shoe Manufacturing Company. Richfield "Years Ahead" billboard in background.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carts & wagons--Tacoma; Horse teams--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Float sponsor Centennial was also celebrating their golden anniversary, growing from one small mill in Spokane in July of 1889 to an employer of 700 in four major mills in Tacoma, Wenatchee, Ritzville and Spokane. "Farm girls" ride the float next to golden shocks of wheat. In the back, a barefoot boy with his overalls rolled up leans against a small house. Centennial was located on Schuster Parkway, next to Sperry Mills. It was destroyed by fire in January of 1947.

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

Close-up of "Miners of '89" float entered in the 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade that celebrated the state's 50th anniversary. The float, a replica of Mount Tacoma (Rainier), was sponsored by the Negro Citizens of Tacoma. At least one "miner," with ax, is riding at the rear of the float. See D8652, image 17, for a general view of the float and spectators.

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