Wilson High School cheerleaders stir up the parade spectators lined up on Pacific Ave. with energetic cheers on April 12, 1969, during the 36th annual Daffodil Festival Parade. The school's girls marching unit, in red and white, step forward in formation ahead of the large marching band and drum major/majorettes. Mother Nature cooperated with warm dry weather in the 60's during the Tacoma leg of the parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1969 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Marching bands; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Drum majoring--Tacoma;

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;

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. 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;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Commodores, pirates, clowns and royalty all sailed majestically down Pacific Avenue during the April 16, 1977, Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. The blue and white float decorated with yellow daffodils was crowded with participants representing SeaFair. It would go on to win first place in the "Other Festivals" category. (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. Waving to the crowd are three young ladies in white; they are aboard the Portland Rose Festival float entitled "Roses & Daffodils & Friendship." The white & yellow & red float extends an old-fashioned greeting card invitation to the Rose Festival on June 2-13th. It would win second place in the Communities over 5000 category. (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. "A Salute to King Alfred" was the Reno Rodeo Festival float, sponsored by Del Webb's Primadonna Casino, entered in the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade. The white-framed Victorian garden was decorated with golden King Alfred daffodils. Five white clad women in soft summer hats, all former Daffodil queens, waved to the spectators lined up along Pacific Avenue. They were listed as: Renee Hopp (1976), Wendy Van Noy (1975), Lori Weber Durr (1974), Sherri Murrey (1973), and Jean Fink Jones (1971). (TNT 4-17-77, A-1 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Puget Sound USA" was the L.H. Bates Vocational Technical Institute's entry in the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. Sea gulls and a whale swimming in a blue ocean of flowers along with a lighthouse made of golden daffodils are symbols of this part of Washington. 25,000 daffodils were used on Bates' float which was awarded the President's Trophy for animation.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. County Commissioner and Mrs. Joe Stortini greet parade watchers on April 16, 1977. They are riding in a blue-and-white 1955 Ford Fairlane convertible. Mr. Stortini had been a state legislator and longtime football coach at Mount Tahoma. In November of 1976, Mr. Stortini defeated Republican Robert Odman in the race for Pierce County Commissioner; Mr. Stortini had previously beaten incumbent George Sheridan in the primary.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Stortini, Joe; Ford automobile;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. Performing before spectators lined several feet deep along Pacific Avenue were the 90-piece marching band members from Gov. John R. Rogers High School of Puyallup. Brilliant sunshine and low 50 degree weather greeted participants in the 45th Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. The Rogers High School band was led by director Gary Jacobson (possibly the man walking in the foreground) and would perform two numbers.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1978 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Marching bands;

1979 Daffodil Parade. Downtown Tacoma Association's entry in the 1979 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade consisted of a gathering of "superheroes," in various costumes. According to Richards Studio notes, they were (not all shown in photograph): Cliff Cook as Superman, Ms. Downtown Tacoma Joan Cook as Lois Lane, Dale Holden as Superwoman, Bruce Meyer as The Flash, Patty Richardson as Wonderwoman, Rohn Burgess as Zorro, Jim Wilhelmi, Jr. as Clark Kent, Chris Salatino as Isis, Skip Warren as Aquaman, Denise Robb as Batwoman, Duane Lindoff as Batman, Connie Buchanan as Jana, Donna Burgess as Catwoman and Jeff Lovely as Robin. "Superfriends in Super City" won the Commissioners' Trophy for best commercial float. (TNT 4-8-79, AA-2-article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade (1979 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

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;

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);

1971 Daffodil Parade. This was the Tacoma Fire Department's entry to the 1971 Daffodil Festival Parade. Its appearance generally signified the end of the parade as evidenced by the movement of the crowd. According to information received from a reader, this was a 1970 American LaFrance which was housed at the now-closed old Fire Station #12, a station still located on the south side of East 11th between Thorne Rd. and the Port of Tacoma Rd. It was Tacoma Truck Co. #4, a ladder truck which did not carry water or hoses. (Additional information/identification from a reader)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma);

1971 Daffodil Parade. The Afifi Oriental band, a motley assembly of musicians representing the Afifi Temple, banged their tambourines and drums to the delight of thousands of spectators as the band paraded down Pacific Avenue during the 1971 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. The Oriental Band was one of 30 bands participating in the annual parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Marching bands; Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980;

The 1935 Daffodil Parade proceeds down 9th in front of the Roxy, now the Pantages. The 25 foot "daffodil fountain," the royal viewing stand, can be seen at the intersection of 9th and Broadway. The Girls' Drum & Bugle Corps of the John R. Thompson Post of the USWV is caught in mid action prancing down the street followed by a floral laden automobile, sponsored by the National Farmers' Union of Puyallup. Up the hill on 9th can be seen the Music Box, Rialto and the First Baptist Church. Crowds, many layers thick, have turned out to view the parade. (TDL 3/24/1935, pg. 1)

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

A large group of people gather in front of Thomas Mooney's cigar store to watch the 1936 Daffodil Parade. Cigar signs for "Antonio y Cleopatra" and "Royal Bengals" are displayed on the storefront.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1936 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Mooney's Cigar Store (Tacoma); Tobacco shops (Tacoma);

A long shot of the 1936 Daffodil Parade winding down Broadway with the Chamber of Commerce float and its oversized daffodils in the lead. People are lined up several deep to catch a glimpse of the flower covered floats. They also perch in upper story windows and on awnings. (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 prize winning float in the Daffodil Parade, entered by the Puyallup and Tacoma Active Clubs. The float is a flower bedecked replica of a US destroyer, complete with swinging lifeboats and a rosy cheeked crew of little girls in nautical attire. The float is accompanied by a man dressed in a sailor's uniform. The float ship bore the number 110, the number of the Tacoma Sea Scout ship. (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;

Street level view of the 1936 Daffodil Parade on Pacific Avenue. The Tacoma Distributors Association's float leads the parade. Hundreds of spectators line both sides of the street, and downtown buildings frame the view. (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;

Tacomans turn out in droves at 11 a.m. on August 22, 1936 to see the first circus parade in years, passing by the Roxy Theatre, 901 Broadway, now known as the Pantages. The Cole Brothers- Clyde Beatty Circus is in town, featuring young wild animal trainer Clyde Beatty. Marquees indicate the Roxy Theatre, the Music Box, at 902-14 Broadway, destroyed by fire 4/30/1963, and the Rialto, 310 So. 9th. In the back right of the photo is the First Baptist Church, 902 Market St.

Circus parades--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Flags; Spectators--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); First Baptist Church (Tacoma);

Daffodil Pageant. The Merchants Association float featured a lighthouse and row boat with two women fishing. Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau won the grand prize for its "fisherman's paradise" theme. In the background is the Queens viewing stand at 10th and Pacific. Thirty thousand people attended Tacoma's parade.

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

An elaborate float features a model airplane and aircraft hanger. A large crowd of spectators watch the parade from the corner of 9th and Broadway in front of the Roxy Theater. (T.Times, 4/2/1938, p.1).

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

1938 Daffodil Festival Parade. A float features a floral airplane with the sign: "Tacoma Wholesalers Welcomes The Northwest Air Base." Industrial building in background appears to be Washington Wineries, "Home of the Lovino." On March 30, 1938, the County officials had signed over the deed of Tacoma Field to the War Department to be used in the construction of a giant airbase, to be called McChord Field. (T.Times, 4/2/1938, p.1).

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

1938 Daffodil Pageant. Queen Bliss Lundrigan and her attendants Agnes Kucemba, right, and Bernice Daniel take their place in the reviewing stand to reign over the parade's 39 entries in Tacoma. For the first time in the Puyallup Valley Festival's 5 year history, the Royalty wears official robes. The costumes worn by the attendants are symbolic of three Pacific Northwest features; the white blouses represent the snows of Mt. Rainier, the yellow vests the fields of daffodils and the green skirts the waters of Puget Sound. Queen Bliss's skirt and robes are of purple for royalty. (T.Times, 4/2/1938, p. 1)

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Lundrigan, Bliss; Kucemba, Agnes; Daniel, Bernice;

1938 Daffodil Pageant. Tacoma City Light float depicts a unique Art Deco-style building surrounded by trees and flowers. The float moves down Pacific Avenue past the Daffodil Queen's reviewing stand on 10th Street. (T.Times, 4/2/1938, p.1).

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