1940 Daffodil Parade. Float on truck decorated with daffodils and fir tree branches. Wing-emblem feature of float and also pictured on the girls' sweaters. (T. Times)

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

This float is bearing her royal highness, Queen Marge I, Daffodil Royalty of 1940. Queen Marge I, 1940 Daffodil Queen, is seventeen year old Puyallup High School senior Marge Roscoe. Selected for her photogenic looks, Queen Marge is also a star on the school's debate team. She rides on the float from her home city of Puyallup, with a crown of daffodils and a regal robe of purple. She is flanked by attendants Lillian Kelly and Ella Reno. (T. Times 3/30/1940, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1940 :Tacoma); Roscoe, Marge;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Port Orchard float. One of two floats entered by Port Orchard in the July 1, 1940, parade depicting an aerial view of the "new" Port Orchard, "Proposed Improvement of Port Orchard's New Waterfront." The aerial view is similar to an architectural model. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Tacoma Public Utilities, Light Department float. City Light and its counterpart, Seattle City Light, both sponsored brilliantly lit floats featuring dams during the July 1, 1940, parade honoring the opening of the (first) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. Tacoma City Light's large float was sculpted with representations of the Olympic Mountains, Cushman Dam, and the Narrows Bridge. The small children on the float are fishing, skiing, hunting, and boating. The designated theme was "Gateway to the Olympics." (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public utility companies--Tacoma; Power plants;

Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Firemen aboard horse-drawn fire engine, sign on side reads "1883." The Admission Day celebration in Olympia was patterned after the original inauguration of Governor Elisha P. Ferry. The two mile parade travelled over part of the route of that original statehood celebration. Ben's Service Station, Maxwell dealer, and houses in background.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Parades & processions--Olympia--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Olympia;

Tacoma Garden Club float in 1940 Daffodil Parade. This float took second place in Division 2, after the Central Labor Council entry. The truck bed was filled with a massive garden of blooming spring flowers and was skirted by golden daffodils. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum) (TNT 3-30-1940, p. 1-description of float)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1940 :Tacoma); Tacoma Garden Club (Tacoma);

The largest collection of military might since World War I was paraded on May 9, 1941 for the benefit of Lt. Gen. John L. DeWitt. Gen. DeWitt was the commanding officer of the 4th Army and the West's only three star General. In a parade that lasted over three hours, 45,000 troops passed in review with the 41st Division in the lead, followed by the 3rd Division, IX Corps, tanks, a blimp, and the always amusing Field Pack Artillery mules. Officers accompanied their units on horseback and the Cavalry brought up the rear of the parade. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Mules; Fort Lewis (Wash.); 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis);

High stepping drum majorettes posed next to the Brown and Haley float in the March 29, 1941 Daffodil Festival parade. A tin of their signature Almond Roca candy floated above a red, white and blue floral shield. Two unidentified young girls rode on the float. In the front, left to right, were Billie Diedrich, Betty Siegle, Betty Gunstrom, Joyce Siegle, Alice Cross and Joan Hoyt. (T. Times 3/29/1941, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Festivals--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Tacoma); Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Drum majorettes;Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, all the stores downtown closed in the morning as Tacoma turned out for a massive parade of pre World War II military might. Over 10,000 men from the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis marched as well as a parade of mechanized strength. One of the most impressive sights was the mobile kitchens where military cooks prepared food as they moved down Broadway during the two hour parade. Here soldiers receive coffee in the early morning hours prior to the parade kick off.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, over 10,000 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis marched down Broadway in a tremendous military spectacle, the largest Army parade ever seen in Tacoma. The men march in step in mass formation, suggesting the enormous military power of the US. (T. Times 10/30/1941 p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, the Army parades showing its military muscle. This was the greatest military spectacle to date in the Northwest. On the left is the Cameo Theater, 1128 Pacific Avenue.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Men and artillery wait patiently for their turn to parade on October 30, 1941. The Fort Lewis show of military might was over 6 miles long and took two hours to pass.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, people stride across the ground liberally scattered with papers at the military parade, composed mostly of the 3rd Infantry from Fort Lewis and their tanks and fire power.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On April 6, 1942, Tacoma was host to the first wartime parade through downtown Tacoma. It was held on the 25th anniversary of the U.S. war declaration of World War I (4/6/1917.) It also demonstrated the fitness and readiness of the Army and its equipment. The focus of the parade was a full regiment of infantry, completely equipped with steel helmets, packs and gas masks. In this photograph they are led by a military band and stretch out down the street as far as the eye can see. The Army Parade wound its way down Broadway and Pacific Ave. Missing were the usual photographers, news photographers were allowed to only take shots that were of no value to the enemy. (T. Times 4/6/1942, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marching--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company's 1951 Daffodil Parade float carried three lovely young ladies representing springtime. The float was a tribute to "Springtime" with two robins in the front, a flowering arbor, and giant butterfly wings. It was the Sweepstakes Winner that year.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Kappa Sigma fraternity's float "definitely stole the show," according to the News Tribune, during the 1951 Daffodil Parade. The fraternity from the College of Puget Sound provided smiles and laughter with a satire of the City Council and the current problems with vice conditions. "Council members' equipped with pistols waved to the crowd as "Senator Kefauver" shook his broom over their antics. Mayor John Anderson, the "Big John" so noted, joined in the crowd's laughter. (TNT 4-8-51, A-1-article; A-9-alt. photo.)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Kappa Sigma Fraternity (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Olympia Centennial Queen Royal and her court, dressed in pioneer garb, appear in the 1950 Daffodil Parade to advertise their upcoming celebration May 1-7th. In the background spectators view the parade from the front of Union Station. The two hour parade was led by the U.S. Marine color guard, followed by the Governor's car, with the cars bearing the mayors and officials of the sponsoring cities of Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner immediately behind.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Union Station (Tacoma);

Daffodil court members smile in the early morning gloom aboard the Tacoma Kiwanis float as they line up for the parade. The Kiwanis' floral tribute to spring topped by a beautiful butterfly took second place in service club entrants in the 1950 parade. The parade was a grueling all day affair for marchers and float riders, beginning with the line up in the morning and the two hour parade through Tacoma, after which parade performers reassembled at noon in Puyallup for the march to Sumner.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

This float sponsored by the city of Bonney Lake celebrates the Boys Club. It is topped by two youngsters, one in a football uniform and one in skiing garb. The Bonney Lake float is making the turn from Broadway to 9th, followed by the Associated Contractors sweepstakes winning windmill float and a marching band. The cold weather in 1950 delayed the opening of many of the daffodil blooms, cutting the amount available for the parade in half.

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

This "small fry" float representing the little old lady who lived in a shoe nursery rhyme passes down Pacific Ave. in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The little old lady and her many children ride on the float. The Daffodil Parades had no theme until after 1951. The parade operated on a very small budget of about $5,000 financed through the sale of 50 cent daffodil buttons and contributions. Daffodil growers, although not the parade's biggest supporters, ended up being the biggest contributors, delivering approximately 1,000,000 flowers to the parade at a price well below market price.

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

The 1950 Daffodil parade heralded the arrival of Spring and the coming of the Easter holidays, as evidenced by the bunny float entered by the Orting Lions Club. This float was 3rd place winner in class 2 service club entrants.The driver's head can be seen out the side of the bunny. Parade floats had to cut their demand for daffodils by one half when cold weather stopped many of the yellow blossoms from opening in time for the parade.

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

This flower bedecked tribute to the new Narrows Bridge, which was under construction, was the 3rd place commercial entry award winning float, sponsored by Rhodes Brothers department store. The float boasted that now even "more roads will lead to Rhodes." The float had miniature cars crossing the span over a floral Puget Sound. Rhodes was Tacoma's largest department store and was located in downtown Tacoma on Broadway.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

First place winner of the 1950 Daffodil parade class 2 service club entrants was this float by the Young Mens Business Club. Daffodil court members rode atop this sweetheart float decorated with daffodils and tulips. The 1950 parade was the largest ever with 125 units- 70 floats, 18 bands, and 26 marching organizations plus comic groups, mounted drill teams, and decorated automobiles.

Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two units of segregated U.S. Army troops. An African American unit is followed by a white unit in the Armed Forces Parade on May 20, 1950. This was the first Armed Forces Day parade. It was a combination of the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. It was estimated that 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis passed in review. Reserve units also played an important part in the event including the National Guard, Marine Corps, Naval Reserve, Army Reserve and Bellarmine R.O.T.C. (TNT, 5/22/1950, p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The 16th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival began with the coronation of the 1949 Daffodil Queen, and included activities such as flower shows, parades, yacht racing and ski races. Spectators are several feet deep while viewing the Young Men Business Club daffodil float which advertised the club's 25th anniversary. This float received 3rd prize in the service clubs float category (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 lovely float completely covered in dazzling daffodils; "Parkland Grows" is posted on side. Parade float princesses are helping bring awareness and publicity to the Parkland area of Tacoma; many new businesses have opened during the past year in Parkland (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. 1, 12 & B-6). TPL-9965

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

Commercial businesses, organizations and lodges, and service clubs entered their floats in the 1949 Daffodil Festival parade, in hopes of winning first place or an honorable mention. View of the Lions Club float featuring "Little Tyke," a live African lioness, accompanied by three children; the Lions were awarded first place in the organizations and lodges category (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); Little Tyke (Lion);

The 10th annual 1946 Daffodil parade drew one of the largest crowds in parade history. Many Pierce County businesses, organizations and schools signed up to appear in the parade. View of Puyallup Chamber of Commerce "The Pioneer Spirit"carriage. TPL-8697

Daffodils--Puyallup; Parades & processions--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1946 : Puyallup); Floats (Parades)--Puyallup;

Thousands gathered on Broadway in Tacoma to see the impressive Jubilee Parade. The parade went on as planned in spite of the heavy rainfall that fell upon Tacoma for a good part of the festivities. View of Tacoma's All Accordian Band, children of all ages play their accordions. Esther Vanderflute from the Music Studio is the music instructor (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Accordions; Music Studio (Tacoma);

The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. Public Safety Commissioner, Robert S. Temme will act as illustrious potentate. View of Shriners marching in their parade, Brown & Haley Almond Roca Candy billboard in background.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Marching--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);