Entry #49 in the 1957 Daffodil Parade was the charming "Hi Diddle Diddle" float sponsored by the Independent Order of Foresters. A cat fiddles merrily away as a cow attempts to jump over the crescent moon. The dog has his mouth open in a wide smile while the dish extends its arms to an unseen spoon. This float took 2nd place for the Nursery Rhyme Division. Photograph ordered by the Independent Order of Foresters. (TNT 4-14-57, B-8)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Independent Order of Foresters 327 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Peter Cottontail and pals wave to spectators as the Shop Rite Food Centers prize-winning float continues on its Daffodil Parade route on April 13, 1957. A 7 foot Peter is seated before an enormous yellow daffodil; his assistants, dressed in bunny outfits, are perched in flower shells. Judy Roetker, in flowing evening gown, sits among the field of daffodils. "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" was given the Sweepstakes Parade Award at the 24th annual Daffodil Parade. The float was the biggest allowed under parade rules at 39 feet long, 16 feet wide and 14 feet tall. 60,000 daffodils and 6,000 Esther Reed daisies graced the enormous float. Photograph ordered by West Coast Grocery Co. (TNT 4-13-57, A-1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shop Rite Food Centers (Tacoma); West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma);
The intersection of 11th & Pacific, crowds dispersing after the 1956 Daffodil Parade. People have lined up several deep along Pacific to enjoy the parade.The dull, overcast day did not deter the over 100,000 parade viewers in Tacoma; another 50,000 were expected to view the parade in Puyallup and Sumner. In addition, the parade was telecast by local stations who anticipated a viewing audience of over 1 million. The parade was made up of 59 floats, 37 bands and drill teams, 7 cars and 4 mounted units. The parade got underway at 10am in Tacoma and was over 2 hours long. The parade route began at 17th and Broadway, proceeded north on Broadway to 9th, down 9th to Pacific and south on Pacific to 19th. More than 2 million King Alfred daffodils were used to carry out the theme of "Storytime in Daffodils." (TNT 4/12/1956, PG. 1, 4/14/1956, PG.1, 4/15/1956, PG. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma;
The intersection of 11th & Pacific, a group of young baton twirlers clad in short plaid skirts and white sweaters march in majorette boots performing for the crowd. The identity of this group is not known, but some of the twirlers look hardly larger than their batons. The 1956 parade featured 37 bands and drill teams.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Baton twirling--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma;
Cinderella is the theme of this float; the clock has almost struck 12 midnight as Prince Charming, believed to be the newly elected Exalted Ruler of the Elks Norbert E. Grove, attempts to fit the slipper back on Cinderella's foot. This charming salute to the Cinderella fairy tale won first place in Division 4, fraternal groups, for the Elks. The carriage and castle are all covered with sunny yellow daffodils. (TNT4/14/1956, pg. 1; 4/15/1956, pg. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Grove, Norbert;
Fabled logging giant Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe are featured on this float designed for St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. This float won the Sweepstakes Award in the 23rd annual Daffodil Festival Parade. The 45 foot float was the longest and lowest single unit in parade history. Designed by Roy E. Stier, it was covered with 40,000 daffodils and 3,000 blue daisies. St. Paul and Tacoma had won many Festival Parade awards and was known for its beautiful and original floats. TPL-2034
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
An American flag is draped over the hood of the Young Republicans entry in the 1953 Daffodil parade. The vehicle is covered with blossoms, including flowers entwined in the tires, and is packed full of cheerful riders. A grinning cartoon elephant, resembling Dumbo, on the identification sign greets parade onlookers.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1953 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Pierce County Young Republicans (Tacoma); Flags;
Lakewood Center's float in the 1954 Daffodil Parade continued the theme of promoting Washington as a vacation paradise. Skiing, skating, boating & fishing, swimming and golfing were healthy outdoor activities available to locals and visitors alike. Participants in boating, fishing and golfing stood under a flowered carousel with the sign "It's vacation time all the time in vacationland." A newer award, the Festival award honoring the float best portraying the festival's theme, was given to the Lakewood Center Businessmen's Association for this float. (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Community Center (Lakewood);
The men of Sigma Chi Fraternity from the College of Puget Sound took second place in the "Comic" category of the 1954 Daffodil Parade. A cardboard "Toss Fug" is pulling a trailer piled with "radioactive" soil, a fish skeleton, and signs warning "atomic pile", "world renouned Tacoma aroma", and in keeping with the vacation theme, "Vacation Tacoma - where debris meets the sea." Viewers are invited to "Watch Tacoma Grow". (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sigma Chi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Pierce County Sheriff's Posse on horseback is reaching the end of the Tacoma portion of the 1954 Daffodil Parade. The two mile route would head south on Pacific Avenue and conclude at 19th St. before reforming for the Valley swing in the afternoon. The 21st annual parade enjoyed its largest crowd ever, with estimates of 100,000 spectators. Two million daffodils were used on floats, carts, buggys, horses and people in the parade. (TNT 4-9-54, p. 1, TNT 4-10-54, p. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Horses--Tacoma;
An unidentified Tacoma police officer and several scouts stand at attention and salute as the Daffodil Parade passes South 12th and Pacific on April 10, 1954. They are probably saluting the Color Guard near the head of the parade. The 21st Daffodil Parade was the biggest in the history of the event with 52 floats and a crowd estimated at 100,000. The two-hour extravaganza was carried live over both KTNT-TV and KMO-TV. TPL-9623
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Saluting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);
Golden sunbeams burst onto Puget Sound in April of 1954 as the annual Marine Parade concluded Daffodil Festival activities. Crowds crowded Tacoma's shoreline to see the colorful marine floats. This particular entry had a distinctly tropical theme, with palm trees, flowers and even a hula dancer cutout on display. There were many passengers on board enjoying the brisk air and beautiful scenery. Besides the parade of more than 200 boats, there was also a sailboat race; only two of the 16 boats entered in the race finished the 11 mile course. Tom Sias' Lady Luck was the winner with Bill Brasier's Aurora second. Photograph ordered by the TNT. (TNT 4-12-54, p. 1, 16-articles)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;
The 1954 Puget Sound Daffodil Regatta awarded the grand prize for visiting boats to Chester Gibson, owner of the Hilma III, an entry from the Queen City Yacht Club of Seattle. It depicted Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, and his chariot of sea horses. The boat was smothered in daffodils with an attached sign reading "U.S. Coat Guard Auxiliary." A sailboat race, colorful exhibition by the City fireboat, and the parade of floats concluded the Daffodil Festival which was enjoyed by thousands viewing the proceedings from nearby surroundings. Photograph ordered by the TNT. (TNT 4-12-54, p. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;
The Daffodil Court attendants' float travels down Pacific Avenue, following that of Queen Elvera I and preceding the Eatonville drill team. Riding on the float are Sally Strobel, Sandra Drahold, Rosemary Fly, Gloria Minarisich, Janet Bock, Dorothy Sellers and Colleen Doyle surrounded by 30,000 daffodils. The float is flanked by the Rosarians as guards, representatives from the Rose Parade in Portland, Oregon. The float was sponsored by the Young Mens Business Club and built by the Associated Contractors.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;
This flower covered San Francisco trolley car won first place in the retail division for Steve Pease. Steve Pease owned Steve's Gay '90s, a South Tacoma landmark and popular nightspot of the fifties and sixties. This trolley was an actual San Francisco street car that Pease bought at auction in San Francisco, outfitted for street driving and drove back to Tacoma. It became a centerpiece at his restaurant and served as the inspiration for his Cable Car Room.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);
The winner in the Fraternal Organization division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade was sponsored by the Tacoma Elks Lodge # 174. A fountain at the front of the float spouts floral spray, followed by the flags of many countries leading to a floral depiction of the globe. Young women in evening gowns ride on the float. The one in front laughs with the crowd as she covers her head against the misty rain that plagued the parade this year. Despite the rough weather conditions, a record crowd turned out to cheer the parade on.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);
The winning float in the 1955 Industrial Division of the Daffodil Parade was sponsored by Carstens Hygrade. A floral basket holding young girls in white dresses with wrist length white gloves is being pulled by ribbons held in the beaks of floral birds. All float entries were judged according to artistic design and originality, with appearance, originality, conformity to theme, artistic features and detail being scored. No floats were permitted in the parade unless they were at least 75 % covered with flowers or other floral materials.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);
A smiling, waving young woman rolls down the street in a huge bright yellow daffodil ballgown with matching hat. The dress hides the means of conveyance of this float. This entry was sponsored by the Lions Club.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lions Club (Tacoma);
The winner of the 1955 Daffodil Parade Festival Award for the float most closely adhering to the festival theme of "Golden Future" was sponsored by the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot. Its theme was "We weave the golden future." It featured a revolving spinning wheel that wound out skeins of golden thread to eight spools, with labels like shipbuilding and aircraft, most probably referring to the industries that would fuel the Northwest economy in the future. The float used over 60,000 daffodils. A large basket in the front held the daffodil "wool." TPL-8301
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot (Tacoma);
The first place winner in the Education and Youth Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade was this floral beauty sponsored by Pacific Lutheran College. A flower bedecked representation of the world is topped by a cross. A bridge or a rainbow leads from the globe to the front of the float. The 1955 parade also had a touch of Hollywood glamour as the honorary Grand Marshall was Marjie Millar, Tacoma native and the star of television and movies. This was the first time that a woman had served as Grand Marshall.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;
Pepsi Cola sponsored this salute to Tacoma's Rainbow Girls in the 1955 Daffodil Parade. The side of the float refers to Pepsi as "the light refreshment." No doubt the girls riding on the float in the abbreviated swimsuits were goose bumped as the day was both rainy and cool, however both girls smile at the crowd. The other girls are dressed in sleeveless evening gowns. Membership in the Order of the Rainbow is open to girls 13-20 who are related to members of the Masonic Lodge or the Eastern Star. The order was founded in 1922 in Oklahoma. Their ritual is based on the 9th chapter of Genesis and the virtues of faith, hope and charity. The seven colors of the rainbow symbolize life, religion, nature, immortality, fidelity, patriotism and virtue.
The float entered by the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Co. won third place in the Industrial Division. Two twin globes flank the front of the float, while the Statue of Liberty stands guard before a depiction of an atom at the rear of the float. A young boy representing Uncle Sam had gotten tired and is sitting on the base of the Statue. A south of the border vaquero and a safari hunter also ride at the rear of the float next to a palm tree.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
Students from the Marymount Military Academy, marching in precision with rifles, drill past the intersection of Pacific Ave. and 11th St. in the 22nd annual Daffodil Parade. They are dressed in uniforms and led by platoon officers with swords and banners. Founded in 1923, Marymount was the only military school in the state of Washington. It was run by the Dominican sisters and located south of Tacoma in Spanaway on the grounds of the Shields "Shangarry" estate. Students came from around the world to attend this boarding school.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;
Aerial view of 1952 Daffodil Parade as it proceeds down Pacific Avenue. The 15 mile long parade wound its way down Pacific Ave. from 9th to 19th. A Marine Corps color guard led the parade, followed by the float bearing Queen Eva Beattie and her princesses, royally escorted by the Rosarians of Portland, Oregon. Following the City Light float bearing the Queen were 70 floats and decorated cars, 21 bands, 28 marching units and three mounted groups. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. 1)
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Drill teams; Marching bands; Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Aerial photographs;
