The people sitting comfortably in the window of Sauro's Cleanerama, 1401-05 Pacific Ave., were spared the cold, blustery winds on this day in April of 1964, and had a good view of the 31st annual Daffodil Parade as it passed by. The young ladies on this particular float seem to be struggling to keep their parasols open and not blown off course. The theme of 1964's parade was "Nations on Parade," but floats like the above also saluted Washington State's 75th anniversary of statehood.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sauro's Cleanerama (Tacoma);

With cheerful waves, St. Regis Paper Co.'s entry in the 1964 Daffodil parade slowly passes through the downtown streets of Tacoma during the 31st annual event. Billowing tapestry and flowered canopies and fountains decorated this beautiful float. St. Regis, for the second year in a row, won the Sweepstakes Award. The float, "Kismet," with 70,000 daffodils on board, was built by company employees. It featured the harems of ancient India with a large dome, chiffon curtains, and stately attendants. An elaborate peacock tail constructed of wrought iron was at the front of the 55' float. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 4-11-64, p. 1, TNT 4-12-64, A-9)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1960-1970;

A giant bird of peace is at the foreground of the Tacoma Vocational Technical Institute's entry in the 1964 Daffodil parade. "Peace Among Nations" is the float's motto. Three lovely ladies wave to the throngs watching the parade while two soldiers provide an escort. This was the 31st Daffodil parade. 33 floats using more than two million daffodils, 24 bands including two from Oregon, 17 marching units, and seven mounted units were televised live on KTNT-TV and viewed in person by thousands in Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting. (TNT 4-10-64, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Stock footage of the 1965 Daffodil Parade. The City of Wenatchee's entry into the 32nd Daffodil Parade was entitled "Apple Blossom Spectacular" and featured Apple Blossom Queen Barbara Erickson in velvet robes and her attendants, Kathleen Stockstill and Amy Radewan. On the flower bedecked float, glistening "apples" grew on curving "branches."

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1965 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Erickson, Barbara; Stockstill, Kathleen; Radewan, Amy;

Stock footage of Daffodil Parade. A rearing horse, "Black Beauty," draws the attention of spectators in front of the Washington Building on April 10, 1965, at the 32nd annual Daffodil Parade. Three cowgirls wave to the crowds on both sides of Pacific Ave. near 11th St. while a fourth, seated before a giant garland-covered horseshoe, also acknowledges the appreciative throngs. The theme of the parade was "Masterpieces." It was televised live on two stations, KTNT and KIRO. Thousands in person and at home viewed the 29 floats, 20 bands, 14 drill teams, five drum & bugle corps and seven mounted units. (TNT 4-9-65, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1965 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Horses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Horseshoes; Washington Building (Tacoma);

Stock footage Daffodil Parade. The annual Daffodil Parade always drew entrants from out of the area and 1965 was no exception. The White Pass School Band traveled a fair distance to march in the 32nd annual parade. Accompanied by students carrying the school banner, majorette and drum major, the band marched proudly down Pacific Ave. on April 10, 1965. They were dressed in military styled dress uniforms with hats. White Pass was one of 20 bands participating in the parade; they joined the 29 floats, 14 drill teams, five drum & bugle corps and seven mounted units under breezy, mid-50 degree weather conditions. View of band; Bank of California and Washington Building in background. TPL-500 (TNT 4-9-65, A-1, TNT 4-10-65, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1965 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Marching bands; Signs (Notices); Drum majors; Drum majorettes; Washington Building (Tacoma); Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Band uniforms;

1967 Daffodil Parade. The whimsical "Fun in Cartoons" entry from the Sumner community brought smiles to the spectators of the 1967 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade. Gallant Snoopy leads the way atop his little doghouse at the foreground of the pink-and-gold themed float with Bugs Bunny standing guard. The 43-foot float was decorated with 55,000 daffodils plus orchids, gladioli and carnations. (TNT 4-9-67, A-8)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1967: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

1967 Daffodil Parade. Though the sun may have been lacking and the wind cold, people still poured out to fill the sidewalks and nearby office buildings for a view of the 1967 Puyallup Valley Daffodil parade as it meandered through the streets of downtown Tacoma. Among the many floats on April 8, 1967, was the Lakewood Unlimited entry entitled "Flight of Fancy." Swooping on butterfly wings were the four princesses of the Lakewood Summer Festival, Sally Fiss and Chris Hickson of Clover Park High School and Patsy Thompson and Ann Harris of Lakes High. The Lakewood float was one of 31 floats that had entered the parade. It was the first prize winner among unincorporated communities. (TNT 4-8-67, A-1, TNT 4-9-67, B-3)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1967: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

1967 Daffodil Parade. The U.S. Navy Seabees celebrated their 25th anniversary with a magnificent float of golden daffodils entitled "Thailand Fantasy." In addition to the thousands of daffodils making up the body of the float, it was decorated with ornate golden symbols of the Far East. The 60-foot moving scroll on the 55-foot float depicts the aid being given by the Seabees to the people of Thailand. Winner of the President's Trophy, the Seabees float had previously won the Grand Marshal's Award in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Float #3 was sponsored by the Associated General Contractors. (TNT 4-8-67, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1967: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

1967 Daffodil Parade. The Orting community was represented in the 1967 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival with a splendid portrayal of Aladdin's Lamp. Float #9 passed through the thronged streets of downtown Tacoma while Aladdin, Mike Rudnick, posed stoically on his flying carpet and a harem of lovely ladies waved to the crowds. The 45-foot long float with 75,000 daffodils won the Queen's Award in the Commercial Division. Backs to the pageantry, clowns on both sides of Pacific Avenue did a brisk business selling bags of popcorn to hungry spectators. (TNT 4-8-67, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1967: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma; Rudnick, Mike; Clowns;

1967 Daffodil Parade. Snow White and friends accompanied the Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute Daffodil float on the streets of downtown Tacoma in April, 1967. Flower-bedecked float #4 is pictured passing by large crowds at 11th & Pacific while two clowns with a cart full of popcorn cross behind. "Fun 'n Fantasy" was the theme of the 34th Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival where 31 floats, 28 bands, 21 drill teams and eight mounted units paraded before 55,000 Tacoma spectators. (TNT 4-8-67, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1967: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Clowns;

1967 Daffodil Parade. The "stream" of "hot coffee" does not seem to soil the white ballroom gown of Susan Bona, the 1966 Daffodil Queen, as she stands in the daffodil coffee cup waving to the large crowds lining Pacific Avenue during the 1967 Daffodil parade. The Coffee House Roasters float #21, cleverly named the "Queen's Coffee Break," was also accompanied by three elves. Miss Bona is currently a freshman at the University of Puget Sound. Photograph ordered by Coffee House Roasters.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1967: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bona, Susan;

1968 Daffodil parade. Throngs of spectators are bundled up against a cold, brisk wind as they watch the 35th annual Daffodil Festival parade roll down Pacific Avenue on April 6, 1968. Float #13, decorated in golden daffodils, is the St. Regis Paper Co. entry, "King Midas' Golden Touch," which won the Mayor's trophy for best use of the parade's namesake flower. St. Regis was a perennial award-winning entrant in the parade. The 1968 parade was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who had been assassinated two days before. Color photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 4-6-68, A-1, TNT 4-7-68, B-4)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1960-1970;

1968 Daffodil parade. Yabba dabba do! The Flintstones, #22, won the Daffodilian trophy for most humorous entry in the 35th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival held on April 6, 1968. Fred is perched atop a hardworking dinosaur at the quarry while baby Pebbles and her mom, Wilma, scoot along in steamroller car, pedaled by foot-power. Baby Bam-Bam visits outside the Flintstones home. The colorful float, one of 26 in the parade, was entered by the Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute. The festival's theme was "Tales & Legends." Color photograph ordered by the Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute. (TNT 4-6-68, A-1, TNT 4-7-68, B-3)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma);

1968 Richards stock footage of Daffodil Festival. Puget Power's entry, #15, in the 35th annual Daffodil Festival meanders down Pacific Avenue nearing the Peoples department store on April 6, 1968. The charming Asian setting with "Madam Butterfly" seated in the rear won Puget Power second place in the commercial group. Theme of the parade was "Tales & Legends." (TNT 4-7-68, B-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

1968 Richards stock footage of Daffodil Festival. It appears that these leprechauns are basking in a sea of gold in this entry from the Orting Community. One lucky lady has followed the rainbow to a stash of golden coins. An enormous shamrock serves as a backdrop to the float; it is possible that it was composed of dyed green daffodils. Orting's "Leprechauns" was entry #9 in the 35th annual Daffodil Festival parade. (TNT 4-7-68, B-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

1968 Stock footage of Daffodil Festival parade. Over 20,000 golden daffodils befitting the aptly named "Golden Tales of Beauty" decorated the 1968 Princess float created by the City of Puyallup's Puyallup Junior Woman's Club. Princesses Inese Verzemnieks, Mardel Johnson, Judy Ehlers and Jennifer Anderson gracefully acknowledged the crowds lined up along Pacific Avenue on April 6, 1968. They were escorted by yellow-jacketed parade officials. (TNT 4-6-68, p. 1-2)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma; Verzemnieks, Inese; Johnson, Mardel; Ehlers, Judy; Anderson, Jennifer;

1968 Richards stock footage of Daffodil Festival parade. The Afifi Temple Shrine's entry "Shriners Pot of Gold" won first place in the fraternal group competition at the 35th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade on April 6, 1968. Roller-skating youngsters under the flowered rainbow demonstrate that wheelchairs and crutches can be thrown away once their dreams come true. (TNT 4-7-68, B-1, B-5)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma);

1968 Richards stock footage of 35th annual Daffodil Festival parade. It looks like the parade is over as the massive crowds disperse on April 6, 1968. The cold, brisk weather may not have caught many unaware as most of the crowd seems to be dressed in winter clothing and hats. The scene pictured above is the downtown business district near 11th & Pacific Avenue. Major Tacoma landmarks such as the Security Bldg. (formerly Provident Bldg.), Bank of California with its ionic columns, and the massive Washington Bldg. on the corner are clearly visible.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Security Building (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

1968 Richards stock footage of Daffodil Festival. A rather meek dragon sticks out his tongue, seemingly unaware of the lovely four maidens at the castle gates behind him. Float #3 from the Pierce County Senior 4-H was entitled "Days of Old," reflecting the 1968 Daffodil Festival theme of "Tales & Legends." It was one of 26 floats entered in the 35th annual parade, and won the coveted Grand Award. (TNT 4-6-68, p. 1, 4-7-68, B-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1968 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

ca. 1969. 1969 Richards stock footage. Float acknowledging the famous Foss family of Tacoma, probably photographed in the annual Daffodil Festival parade of 1969. Revolving portrait of Henry Foss along with an enlarged photograph of a Foss tug on serene Commencement Bay were displayed on the flower-bedecked float. Three women dressed in antique clothing may be portraying members of the Foss family. This was the smaller portion of a two-section float sponsored by the St. Regis Paper Co.; the float would win the Grand Award for the Daffodil Festival. St. Regis chose to honor Mr. Foss and his family for their contributions to Tacoma. Color photograph has been marked by blue ink.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986--Associated objects;

Clover Park School District marching band and girls' marching unit in Daffodil Parade. Resplendent in vibrant shades of deep green and white were the emissaries of Clover Park School District. The girls' marching units led the way for the more somberly-clad members of the high school's marching band. Despite threats of rain, the weather held off, at least in Tacoma, and local residents were able to bask in shirt-sleeve sunny conditions on April 12, 1969, at the 36th annual Daffodil Festival Parade. For the first time in the parade's long history, the Tacoma parade route started from Stadium High School's North "E" location, headed south on Stadium Way and rambled on down on Pacific Ave. to 21st St. This route change removed two right angle turns that floats had to navigate on the old Broadway/Pacific route and also permitted television cameras to capture scenic Commencement Bay footage to accent the outstanding floats. (TNT 4-13-69, B-2)

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

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;

The entry from Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute took the Judge's Award in the 36th annual Daffodil Festival Parade on April 12, 1969. The sternwheeler, dubbed the "Centennial Queen," was covered with golden and yellow daffodils and manned by several men and women dressed in clothing styles of a century gone by.The parade's theme was "Down Memory Lane." (TNT 4-13-69, B-4)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1969 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma;

Grand Award winner. The St. Regis Paper Co. won the 36th annual Daffodil Festival Parade's Grand Award with its two-piece float, "Memoirs of Henry Foss," an homage to the 77-year-old native Tacoman who helped build Foss Launch and Tug into one of the largest firms of its kind on the Pacific Coast. The creation of the float came as a complete surprise to Mr. Foss who found out about the honor the morning of the parade when his son Drew escorted him to view the float. The float was divided into two sections; the first was a 20-foot replica of the tug, "Henry Foss," and was adorned with 40,000 flowers. The second piece, totaling 65 feet, displayed a boathouse, similar to the one on which Mr. Foss was born in, and rowboats, the firm's first boating rentals. 110,000 blossoms decorated the larger section. Karen Herman (Dowsett) served as "captain" of the Foss tugboat. According to Mrs. Herman, she agreed to wear the "pants" outfit in lieu of the more popular dresses in order to prevent further arguments among the float models. It proved to be a lucky decision as she got her own float and even more special, had the honor of receiving Henry Foss' own navy blue watch cap. She received a hug from Mr. Foss and was told to enjoy the day in the beautiful tugboat. Later in 1969 Mrs. Herman wrote to Mr. Foss and requested his autograph on her picture taken that day. She was thrilled to get a note from Mr. Foss in response to her request, the autographed photograph, and a compliment on her competent piloting through the streets of Tacoma. (Additional information received from Karen Herman (Dowsett) (TNT 4-12-69, p. 1, TNT 4-13-69, B-2, B-3)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1969 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma; Herman, Karen Dowsett; Dowsett, Karen;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Representing the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle, the nation's only Filipino American drill team marched in the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. Members of the girls' Princesa Drill Team, teenage boys' Cumbancheros, and younger boys' Mandaya wore costumes patterned after the Moro or indigenous tribal dress of the Mindanao in the southern Philippines. Drill commands were issued in seven Filipino dialects besides four other languages.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Drill teams;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Traveling from Seattle for the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade was that city's fire department entry, an antique fire engine. This was originally an 1898 horse-drawn pumper. It was motorized in 1914 and then rebuilt in 1964 by off-duty Seattle Fire Department employees at their own expense. The fire pump had a capacity of 750 gallons per minute.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment; Fire fighters;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. One of the outstanding non-float entries on display during the June, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade was the Command Module 101 accompanied by the McChord AFB Honor Guard. The Command Module was a spacecraft built for NASA and used for the Apollo program; it would house the crew and equipment necessary for re-entry.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Space vehicles;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Capturing the award for "best built float" was the Royal City Float. This entry had traveled all the way from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Seated on the float was Miss Royal City for 1968-69, Mary Ellen Kinsey. The Canadian float was one of 23 floats in the June, 1969, parade.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Kinsey, Mary Ellen;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Bethel 27 of Steilacoom, International Order of Job's Daughters, was one of 23 floats participating in the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade. The chapter's drill team accompanied the white and purple float filled with Bethel 27's royalty. Tacoma was celebrating its 100th anniversary with a lavish parade and a myriad of activities including a costumed historical pageant held at the Lincoln Bowl and citizens, both private and public, wearing an array of old-time clothing styles.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Drill teams;