Carstens Packing Co. sponsored this floral tribute to the pig, where two uniformed chefs cook giant bacon, in the 1950 Daffodil parade. Carstens were meat and poultry packers located at 1623 East J, on the Tideflats. The TC stands for Thomas Carstens, President of the company. Thousands of daffodils adorn the float, and two pigs guard the giant Carsten ham at the rear of the float. The window that the float driver sees through was clearly seen at the front of the float.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);

An unidentified uniformed marching band makes the turn from Broadway to 9th St. during the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The band, one of 18 participating in the parade, is followed by a decorated car and the "Birthday cake" float of Troop 84, Boy & Cub Scouts from Midland. A costumed roller skater skates in the area beside the float and the following truck. The signs for the Hotel Winthrop and the Roxy Theatre are prominent in the foreground of the picture.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Marching bands; Band uniforms--Tacoma;

A unidentified young woman sits atop car #64 supplied by the American Automobile Association to the Country House restaurant, Pacific Ave. near 147th, for use in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The young lady smiles brightly despite that fact that the Saturday of the parade was chilly with cold winds and scattered showers.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma);

The Wild West was represented in the 1950 Daffodil Parade by this daffodil covered horse drawn carriage from Krause & Swanson, Inc., real estate, insurance and investment brokers. The man at the back of the carriage played music on a lap held keyboard or dulcimer while Western garbed riders clapped in time. The float was followed by a mounted drill team. Krause & Swanson at 117 So. 11th was owned by Ernest R. Krause, President, and Allen C. Swanson, Vice President.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Daffodil court members smile and wave from this daffodil covered float pulled by two floral bees sponsored by Busch's Drive In, winner of the 2nd place award for commercial entries in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. Busch's Drive In was the "in" place for teens in the 1950's with ten-cent hamburgers, french fries, milk shakes, curb service, car hops and plenty of parking room to show off their cars. Busch's Drive In was owned by William M. (Bill) Busch and located at 3505 South Tacoma Way. TPL-9545

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);

Three members of the Daffodil Royal Court ride on the float sponsored by St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., winner of the first place commercial entry. In previous years, the Festival had been reigned over by a high school aged Queen and two princesses. For the first time in 1950, a royal court of 16 attendants were selected. Twelve of these came from Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner, as did the Royalty, and the town of Orting was asked to select four court members. This was the first time that the agricultural area of Orting was officially recognized as part of the Festival core group.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

The Country House Restaurant, Pacific Ave. near 147th, sponsored this decorated car in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. A long legged American beauty rode as a hood ornament, while costumed tap dancers danced along the side as the floor show. For parade performers, the parade was an all day affair. There was an early line up in Tacoma where the parade route took approximately two hours to complete, then everyone was loaded in buses to go to Puyallup and Sumner and repeat the process again.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This floral tribute to Holland and the windmill won the Sweepstakes Award in the 1950 Daffodil parade for the Associated General Contractors. The contracting group were newcomers to the parade, winning the award with their first ever entry. The group's officers line up behind their float and the Dutch costumed young ladies on the float smile despite the morning chill.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Associated General Contractors, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma);

This "bee-powered" daffodil carriage adorned with smiling court members in front of 1748 Jefferson Ave, was the second place winner in the class 4 commercial group of the 1950 Daffodil parade. The entry was sponsored by Busch's Drive In restaurant at 3505 South Tacoma Way. More than 800,000 daffodils plus assorted other spring flowers were used in the parade. Spectators arrived as early as 8a.m. to line the parade route and were advised to use mass transportation and car pools to avoid traffic jams. TPL-9544

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);

Members of an all-African American unit from the United States Army turn the corner onto Pacific as they march down South 9th Street as part of the first Armed Forces Day Parade held on May 20, 1950. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis took part in the huge display of military might. The troops from Fort Lewis were joined by representatives of the Navy, Marines and Air Force as well as non-military groups from local schools, fraternal and civic organizations. It was estimated that over 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Although President Harry Truman had signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948 calling for the desegregation of the United States' armed forces, the army did not formally announce its plans to implement the order until July of 1951. (TNT, 5/19/1950, p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. Military and city officials stand at attention during the Washington Birthday parade held in Tacoma in 1949. 4,000 troops marched during the parade that was staged in observance of National Security week under the sponsorship of the Reserve Officers Association. Names are listed in the newspaper article. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. 4,000 troops marched in the Washington Birthday parade held in Tacoma in 1949. Thousands of Tacomans lined downtown streets to view the one and one-half hour parade that was staged in observance of National Security Week under the sponsorship of the Reserve Officers Association. Troops are seen in front of Brotman's at 1126 Commerce Street. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Five infantry battalions marched in a military parade on Washington's Birthday in 1949. The one and one-half hour parade included over 4,000 troops. This view shows the battalions marching north along Broadway. Soldiers marching at the front are just turning the corner in front of the Roxy Theater onto South 9th Street. Several spectators are standing on the awning over the sidewalk in front of the Roxy. Photo taken for Sandegren, Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1) TPL-9062

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

More than 100,000 people in Tacoma attended the 1949 Daffodil Parade and watched the wonderful floats parade along Broadway and Pacific Avenue. View of daffodil-covered float advertising "United Tacoma Days" shopping values and bargains galore on May 19, 20 and 21. This float was sponsored by the Tacoma Retail Trade Bank (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. 1, 12 & B-6).

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma);

View of the Saint Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company's parade float moving along Pacific Avenue; this float features "The Timber Beast" and had actual smoke coming out of its nostrils. St. Paul and Tacoma was named the Parade's Sweepstakes Winner (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. 1, 12 & B-6).

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma);

The Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau's 1957 Daffodil Parade float entitled "Symphony" featured a king-sized violin with a lyre. Margaret Strachan, the 1956 Daffodil queen, graciously waves to the parade watchers as the float passes on Pacific Avenue near 11th St. United Savings Bank and the Perkins Bldg. are in the background. 32,000 daffodils were employed on this float, which won first place in the Retail division. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau. (TNT 4-14-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau (Tacoma); Strachan, Margaret;

Can-can girls strut to the tunes of Dixieland as they march alongside the entry from Steve's Cafe (better known as Steve's Gay '90s) in the 1957 Daffodil Parade. Daffodils cover the front and sides of the genuine San Francisco cable car. Women and children, possibly members of the owners' families, peer out of the slowly moving unit as the band plays on. Photograph ordered by Steve's.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cable railroads--Tacoma; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);

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;