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. 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;
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;
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.
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;
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;
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;
1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. Waving to the throngs lining several feet deep on Pacific Avenue were the royalty aboard the Capital Lakefair float from Olympia. The elegant float was decorated in golden daffodils and white blossoms with a sculptured canopy adorned with silver and black glittering stars. It was awarded second 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. Bright sunshine and 56 degree temperatures brought crowds estimated in Tacoma alone at 50,000 to watch the 1976 Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. For the second year in a row, the Orting-Fife-Milton communities won the FTD Sweepstakes for the best float overall. Their Bicentennial float, "East Meets West," was the longest float ever to enter the parade. It took five drivers to maneuver the 120-foot coupled float. The float depicted the driving of the Golden Spike to link east and west coasts by rail. (TNT 4-10-76, A-3 article; TNT 3-12-76, A-3 article; TNT 4-11-76, AA2-article)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Harbor Holidays 35-foot float, "Lindbergh Flight to Paris," won the top prize in the "communities under 5000" category for the 1976 Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. The Gig Harbor Peninsula community's float commemorated the first solo non-stop TransAtlantic flight from New York to Paris in May of 1927. There were 40,000 yellow, golden and sprayed blue daffodils used in the creation of the float. (TNT 4-10-76, A-3-article)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The sight of the big Tacoma fire engines generally meant the conclusion of the Grand Floral Parade. Crowds are starting to disperse on Saturday, April 10, 1976, along Pacific Avenue. People had been lined up up to a dozen deep as crowds thought to be the biggest in several years watched the 33 floats, 47 marching bands, 13 mounted units and 20 "special" units go by. For the first time in the 43-year history of the festival, the Grand Floral Parade had no turns or hills as the parade began at Old City Hall, 7th & Pacific, and flowed southward on Pacific to 24th St. There were no sharp curves to negotiate. (TNT 3-12-76, A-3-article)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fire engines--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival float, red-and-pink in color, saluted "American Heritage" in the 43rd annual Daffodil Festival Parade, held during America's Bicentennial year. "Gift of the Gods" and "Wenatchee" are proclaimed on the sides of the curved-shaped float. (TNT 4-11-76, D-3)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
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;
1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Reflections of Downtown Tacoma" was the award-winning entry from the Downtown Tacoma Association. Six new buildings and a fountain full of daffodils made note of downtown's growth. An unidentified 4-piece band and Ms. Downtown Tacoma accompanied the float. It won the Commissioners' Trophy for best commercial float. (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. Nearing the end of the two hour parade came the float sponsored by the Concerned Christian Laymen, Inc., "Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone." A golden cross of daffodils in a field of blue was in the foreground of the float. Nationally known singer, Henry Rodstrom, was aboard. (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. Governor Dixy Lee Ray served as Grand Marshall of the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade. Governor Ray, in brown jacket, is seated up high in a 1930 dual windshield Packard. Riding with her were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Galbraith, Dr. Harlan P. McNutt -director of DSHS, and one of Governor Ray's poodles. Tacoma was Governor Ray's hometown; she graduated from Stadium High School and had fond memories of past Daffodil festivals. (TNT 4-17-77, D-1, D-5 articles)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ray, Dixy Lee, 1914-1994; Governors; Packard automobile;
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;
