Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade, April 1, 1939; prize winning "Sons of Italy" float. Couple seated under gondola canopy with a singing gondolier at front of float portraying the city of Venice, Italy. Italians were among Tacoma's many ethnic groups in the 1930s. The 1939 parade took 40 minutes to pass and was nearly 2 miles long. There were 18 bands and 24 floats using 750, 000 daffodils. (T. Times 4/1/1939, pg. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades); Sons of Italy (Tacoma);
Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Unidentified pilot seated in cockpit of airplane float covered with daffodils. Y.M.B.C. initials on wing of Young Men's Business Club entry in the April, 1939, parade. (T.Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Daffodils;
The Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade was held April 1, 1939. The "Spirit of Electricity" float, possibly entered by the City Light Department, was captured on film as it moved past the Riviera Theatre followed by marching band. Spectators stand several rows deep as well as watching from second story windows and perched on the theater's marquee. (T. Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades);
Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. "Spirit of Electricity" float. Three nymphs with lighting bolts for arms decorate front of float; young woman wearing crown and ermine coat and two men in uniform are at rear of float. (T. Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Lakewood Community Center floats moves down Pacific Avenue passing Merit Paint Store with "cut-rate prices", Stationers, and Washington Hardware. T.Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades);
Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade. Tacoma Chamber of Commerce float promoting the upcoming "Washington Golden Jubilee Celebration, July 20-22, 1939." Native Americans sit in daffodil-covered canoe with State seal in background. (T.Times, 4/1/1939, p. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Indigenous peoples--Washington;
The Sixth Annual Daffodil Parade was held on Saturday April 1, 1939. There were 24 floats and 13 marching bands in the parade. It stretched out for almost two miles, and took 40 minutes to pass. In this photograph, the float built by the Lincoln Citizen's Club, representing the Lincoln business district, passes the Sherman Hotel at 1546 Broadway. With its daffodil model of the first Tacoma Narrows Bridge, this float placed second in the "organizations" catagory. (T. Times)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1939 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades);
Herb Erickson leads his students in a melody during the 1953 Daffodil parade. He was a teacher of the Honolulu Conservatory of Music; the school taught accordion and guitar to aspiring musicians. View of Erickson conducting his ensemble of accordionists, guitarists and bass player. Hundreds of daffodils cover the float, including a shell and two musical symbols, as well as a multitude of wooden notes. Photograph orderd by Floyd Piper.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1953 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Erickson, Herb; Accordions; Guitars; Daffodils--Tacoma;
Two majestic elk, festooned with blossoms, "pull" an old fashioned streetcar in the 1953 Daffodil parade. The float was entered by the Tacoma Elks Club; the surface of the float, including its sides and also the streetcar, are covered with daffodils. There is a policeman, dressed in an old-time uniform, and conductor on board along with several passengers. Photograph ordered by Jay Downs.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1953 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma; Elk; Street railroads--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (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;
Daffodil Yacht Club Regatta race. Several boats on Commencement Bay appear in the distant view from above a wooden motored yacht decorated with marine flags.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);
The Second Annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta was held on Sunday April 3, 1938. Daffodil Queen Bliss Lundrigan, wearing a captain's hat and cape, is shown at the helm of I.J. Leonard's cruiser "Gadget" with her attendants Bernice Daniel (seated on the helm) and Agnes Kucemba. Eighteen sail boats and forty power boats took part in the procession before a day of races.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma); Lundrigan, Bliss; Daniel, Bernice; Kucemba, Agnes;
Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta race. Wooden motor boat number 30C333 pulls into the yacht harbor after the annual festival race. This boat is most probably the "Bo-Peep," owned by Bennett O. Swain, which was damaged on the bow after a collision with Norton Clapp's "Carmelita" during the race. Swain & "Bo-Peep" continued on to win the race with no errors. (T. Times 4/4/1938, pg. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);
Two unidentified men observe the damage done to a power boat during the 2nd Annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta held on April 3, 1938. The boat is most likely the "Bo-Peep," captained by Bennett O. Swain, which was damaged in a collision during the 24 vessel race. Rain, wind and tide contributed to the accident which resulted when Capt. Norton Clapp's "Carmelita" passed the "Bo-Peep." The passing was close and the "Bo-Peep" was drawn into the "Carmelita's" wake, smacking the "Carmelita's" stern. The "Bo-Peep" was damaged on the bow above the water line, but continued on, and eventually won the race. (T. Times 4/4/1938, pg 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);
The second annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta. Several wooden power motored yachts, including the "Blanche D," gather on Puget Sound. The day of the regatta, April 3rd 1938, proved to be an exciting one. It opened with a morning fire on one of the yachts, continued on with a collision during the power boat race and ended with a small cabin cruiser capsizing, spilling 5 people into the frigid Puget Sound. They were rescued by a Foss tug. (T. Times 4/4/1938, pg. 1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);
Floral fish blowing trumpets herald the arrival of Seattle Seafair's Queen on this float inviting all of Tacoma to "Come to the Fun" at Seattle's 1952 Centennial Seafair. The Seafair float is followed by a car pulling a flatbed loaded with young women in white evening gowns.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Horseback riders proceed down 9th St. to Pacific in the 1952 Daffodil Parade. This is one of three mounted groups represented in the parade. Spectators perch on every available surface- fire escapes, windows, and even one precariously on the ledge of the roof of the building on the left.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma);
Dancing cadets in trim Navy white double breasted mess jackets, possibly the Bremerton "crew", followed by a band led by white clad majorettes in tall headgear, marches down the steep slope of 9th St. from Broadway to Pacific Ave. On the left can be seen the marquees for the Music Box (destroyed by fire in 1963) and the Roxy (now the Pantages.) The Winthrop Hotel can be seen on the right hand side.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Drill teams; Marching bands;
Float sponsored by Tacoma Savings and Loan Association in the 1952 Daffodil Parade. This float with floral leaping goldfish and daffodil bedecked tall ship won the second place in the organization division. The parade kicked off in Tacoma at 10a.m. on Saturday April 5, 1952 with the 15 mile long parade moving north on Broadway to 9th Street, down 9th to Pacific Ave. and down Pacific to 19th Street. After Tacoma, the parade marched through Puyallup at 1p.m. and Sumner at 2:30p.m. The three sponsoring cities all elected princesses, and took yearly turns having the Queen elected from their ranks. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. 1)
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma);
Throngs eagerly awaited the appearance of the many floats and marching units in the 1952 Daffodil Festival Parade. Lovely ladies representing Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner waved to the crowds at the corner of South 9th and Pacific Ave. while aboard a daffodil-filled float which included a "fountain."
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The L.L. Hess and Son Furniture Co. float in the 1952 Daffodil Parade has the theme "Harmony in the Home" as it transports four barbershop quartets down the parade route. The conductor not only directs the singing, but also acts the barber, shaving the customer in the chair when the float is quiet. The Ballard Commercial Club Drill Team from Seattle, dressed in western cowgirl outfits, makes the turn from 9th onto Pacific Ave.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; L.L. Hess Furniture Co. (Tacoma);
The Bon Marche float in the 1952 Daffodil Parade makes the turn from 9th onto Pacific Ave. followed by a flatbed truck full of young people.The Bon Marche was the third place winner in the commercial catagory. A Tacoma crowd estimated at 200,000 lined city streets in the sparkling sunshine to view the parade judged to be the "best ever." The crowd on 9th street is 9-10 deep, at one place looking like a human pyramid as the people in back stand on ladders. Others watch out of windows and from building awnings. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. 1)
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A float sponsored by Buck & Sons, Tractor & Implement Co., in the 1952 Daffodil Parade crosses down Pacific Ave. in front of the closed Riviera movie theatre. Two young women clad in shorts stand behind rototillers on this Daffodil covered float pulled by a tractor. Three young men perch on the narrow awning of the Riviera marquee to view the parade. Small children sit on the curb at the front of the crowd to watch the spectacle. The crowd estimated at 200,000, the largest in parade history, waited patiently for the parade which began 1/2 hour after scheduled start time.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma);
Husky dogs "mush" up a floral mountain carrying a sledded bottle, in this 1952 Daffodil Parade float sponsored by Cammarano Brothers, bottlers of carbonated beverages. It is followed by the entry from Nora's Bridal Shop, a lovely spring bride in a wide hooped dress, wide enough to hide the car that moves the float.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);
Young women in daffodil hats and a king ride atop this 1952 float sponsored by Tacoma Vocational and Technical School. This float is very royal in keeping with the 1952 theme of "Alfred in Wonderland," a reference to the King Alfred daffodil- Puyallup Valley's most famous export. Young boys perch on the second floor ledge of the Willis Tavern, 1504-06 Jefferson Ave., to view the parade. The taller building to the right with the boys seated next to the Willis Tavern sign was the Hotel Lewis, 1520-22 Pacific Ave.; it was later demolished. (TNT 4-6-1952, pg. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma);
The Steve Pease family in daffodil-bedecked carriage. Owner of Steve's Cafe (more commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s), Steve Pease was a well-known figure in South Tacoma. His restaurant at 5238-40 South Tacoma Way was recognized for its homestyle cooking and rollicking family-oriented entertainment. With Mr. Pease in his horse-drawn buggy is wife Mary and daughter Dorothy Jean. They rolled along in front of a number of riders on horseback during the 1952 Daffodil Festival parade.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Carriages & coaches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Stephen O.--Family; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Mary; Pease, Dorothy Jean;
This daffodil covered horse and buggy was the entry of Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant in the 1952 Daffodil Parade. The Pease family (l to r) Mary, Steve and Dorothy Jean rode in the buggy. The Pease family was very active in Tacoma, with Steve often called "the unofficial Mayor of South Tacoma." Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s), 5238-40 So. Tacoma Way, had their grand opening in April of 1951; it closed in 1977. Behind their carriage is a rider in one of the three mounted groups that participated in the 1952 parade. (TPL-8861)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Carriages & coaches--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Mary; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Dorothy Jean;
