The Cammarano Brothers' float won second place in the Industrial Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade. It depicts the Golden Future of space travel. Two big headed Kewpie doll figures light a rocket ready to shoot off into space, while markers show the distance to the moon, sun and Milky Way. The crowd shields itself from the rain with umbrellas while the float rolls past. The best seats for the parade this year were the upper story windows, where viewers were shielded from the elements.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cammarano Bros. (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 theme of the Tacoma Kiwanis Club float was "Peace, the Golden Future." The float won second place in the Service Club Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade. On the float, three girls sit amidst what appear to be blossoming cherry trees and doves. The girls appear to be shivering in their lacy shawls in the cool spring air.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kiwanis Club (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;

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);

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.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co.; Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);

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;

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;

In keeping with th 1955 Daffodil Parade theme of "Golden Future," The Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau's float "Dream of the Future" had an engaged couple riding on it circled by a huge diamond engagement ring and standing in front of a miniature home. The float was designed and built by Roy Stier, designer of many previous prize winning floats. The College of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran College submitted the names of six couples that had wedding dates set before June 30th and one lucky couple was selected to ride on the float and receive prizes from various retailers. The front of the float is adorned with a cupid and floral dragonflies.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau (Tacoma);

1955 Daffodil Queen Elvera Sommer, from Puyallup, waves from her sunburst throne on the 50 foot City Light float. The float, designed by Weston DeMaris and built by Bill Knabel, is adorned with 50,000 blossoms of daffodil, iris and foliage. The Queen is accompanied by her Princesses Marianna Vaughan of Sumner and Bette Birkland, a senior at Stadium High School in Tacoma. Also adorning the float are Daffodil court members Darlene Swalley and Judy Nelson, on the left, and Philimine Tungsvik and Joanne Sheppard, on the right. Queen Elvera I had only been in the U.S. for three years, coming as an immigrant from war torn Germany. She repeatedly emphasized in speeches how wonderful America was and how happy she was to be here. She was the perfect representative for the theme "Golden Future." In 1955, for the first time the queen was chosen from an open field of candidates from Puyallup, Sumner and Tacoma high schools. In previous years, each city had elected the queen solely from their city in alternating years.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Sommer, Elvera; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The float entered by the Knights of Pythias won 3rd place in Division 4, Fraternal groups, in the 1955 Daffodil Parade. In keeping with the theme "Golden Future," steps labelled benevolence, charity and friendship lead to the doorway flanked with the words Universal Brotherhood. The Pythian symbol adorns the front of the float, a triangle within a triangle. The float is being pulled by a late model convertible.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Knights of Pythias (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The 1955 Sweepstakes Award went to this float sponsored by the U.S. Naval Station and Tacoma Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet. In keeping with the theme of a "Golden Future," the float has a nine foot golden daffodil cross and a eight foot revolving world globe. The two are connected by a rainbow of tinted daffodils, symbolizing faith, hope and love, that flows from the foot of the cross to all surfaces of the world. The design is covered with 150,000 daffodils and adorned by Navy wives and Naval service employees. This inspiring float marked the second year that the Navy float had won the top award.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Naval yards & naval stations--Tacoma; Navies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) march in formation both before and after their band in the 1955 Daffodil Parade. They are wearing the traditional Moorish costumes topped with the fez hat. The parade was unified with the theme "Golden Future." It featured 56 floats, decorated with 1,250,000 blooms, 25 bands and drill teams, 12 decorated cars, 3 drum and bugle corps, 5 mounted units and 3 comic entries. The parade started north on Broadway at 10a.m., east on 9th and then south on Pacific Ave. They reformed to march in Puyallup at 1p.m. and Sumner at 2:30p.m.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma);

An unidentified mounted posse, one of five in the 1955 Daffodil Parade, rides past the intersection of Pacific Ave. and 11th Street. The horses' rumps are adorned with a blanket of daffodils. The riders wear western cowboy hats and jackets with ties. Some in the crowd hold up umbrellas to shield them from the rain. The rains and cool weather did not deter over 200,000 spectators from turning out to view the tribute to the Puyallup Valley's money crop, the King Alfred daffodil.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Horseback riding--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

A marching band rounds the turn from 9th onto Pacific Ave., preceding the Pacific Lutheran College float in the 1955 Daffodil Parade. The College's floral tribute to the year's theme "Golden Future'' depicts a globe issuing a rainbow and won the first place in the education and youth division. Rain and cool temperatures did not dissuade over 200,000 hardy souls from lining the streets to view the 22nd annual parade.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) march down Pacific Ave. during the 22nd annual Daffodil Parade April 16, 1955. The marching group is followed by floats representing the Afifi Patrol and the Tacobat Grotto. Over 200,000 viewers jammed sidewalks, hung from windows and perched on fire escapes to experience the 2 mile long parade. The parade was over 2 hours long from start to finish. In 1955, the parade was also televised by both local Tacoma stations with another estimated 1,000,000 viewers watching from the comfort of their living rooms throughout the Northwest. Overcast skies opened up and pelted the crowd with rain just before the start of the parade, but alternating mist and sunshine were the norm for the duration of the parade. Viewers wore jackets to ward off the spring chill.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma);

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Formation of United States Navy sailors marching down newly paved Pacific Avenue. The sailors were part of the more than 4,500 military personnel who took part in the parade. There were also six battleships in dock at the time of the parade. Flags and banners are visible from every point. Good view of Washington Building, Puget Sound National Bank and other buildings in 1100 block, east side.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, on Pacific Avenue. United States Army band approaching spectators sitting on sidewalk curbs at left. Union Station in distance, on right, shrouded by gray sky. View of warehouse district buildings on left. Although the spectators are sparse here, more than 100,000 crowded into Tacoma streets to watch the 14 mile long parade.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, on Pacific Avenue. View of military band marching in formation down crowd-lined Pacific Avenue. Flags are visable at every point. Good view of buildings in 1100 block, east side, including sculptures on Puget Sound Bank.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, on Pacific Avenue. Olympia and Thurston County were represented by a float with a model of the State Capitol Building, Washington State Seal and Jubilee Logo. Young woman with hat and robe riding on float and waving. West side, 1300 block of Pacific Avenue in background. (T.Times, 7-24-39, p. 3)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee parade on July 22, 1939. View down Pacific Avenue, opposite the old Sears Roebuck building, looking north. Parade of approaching army trucks and artillery. Between 4,500-4,600 sailors, soldiers and marines participated in the Golden Jubilee parade. There were more than 60 floats, 20 of them entered by Washington counties, and numerous horses, antique automobiles, horse-drawn fire apparatus, bands and drum and bugle corps. Spectators, estimated at more than 100,000, lined the entire parade route. The parade was 14 miles long and took three hours to pass. It formed at 17th & Broadway, marched north on Broadway to Division, down Division to Stadium Way to Pacific and south on Pacific to 24th.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A cavalry unit passes by the reviewing stand at the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. The officer salutes the stand. Tacoma's Mayor Kaufman, Jubilee Hostess Queen Amy Lou Murray, Miss Pierce County Margaret Franich, as well as several military officers can be seen on the stand.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horses--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Birdseye view of cavalry troops on horseback. Crowd on sidewalk and in street is overwhelmingly large, estimated at 100,000. With 133 entries and 14 miles of parade route, it was the largest parade Tacoma had seen to date. The old brick street and streetcar tracks are still in place.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horses--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. The graceful Washington State Capital building in Olympia, Wa., is depicted by this model mounted on a float. This float was the contribution to the parade by Thurston County and Olympia. (T.Times 7/24/1939, pg. 3)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A pioneer couple rides in this crepe paper decorated wagon in the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. He holds an axe, one side of the blade buried in a stump. She leans against him. The driver rides up front. One of the horses bears a large sign "The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be."

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Carts & wagons--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939. Covered wagon bearing words "Steilacoom 1854" being pulled by a team of four horses. It is being driven by two people in pioneer clothing. There is a man running alongside wagon with a camera in his hand. Steilacoom sent three floats and the city band to the Golden Jubilee Parade which commemorated fifty years of statehood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Carts & wagons--Tacoma;

This horse drawn buggy emphasizes the frivolity of the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade. Instead of being pulled by a horse, the buggy is hitched up to two people in a mule costume. The driver calmly observes the crowd shading himself with his parasol, leg dangling over the side of the conveyance. He is accompanied by two boys, one of whom is looking over the back at the following drill team. The flag bearer for the drill team marches beside the buggy.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carriages & coaches--1880-1890;

Float #19 was submitted to the July 22, 1939 Golden Jubilee Parade by the Lumber Industries. A replica of our beloved Mount Rainier sits ringed by old growth forest. Tacoma was still holding out for the name Mount Tacoma in 1939. At the back of the float is a model house, built from wood cut and processed in the Northwest.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Evergreen boughs cover a wagon pulled by a Metropolitan Park District truck in this tribute to the jewel of Tacoma's park system, Pt. Defiance Park. In front of the standing map of the park on the wagon is something one would hope to never run into in the park- a bear. Actually bears were housed at the Pt. Defiance zoo and two had escaped the previous year. One of them actually roamed the North End for several weeks.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Metropolitan Park District (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;