The Queen's float, created by the Department of Public Utilities, was traditionally the first float in the parade and the 1961 Daffodil Parade was no exception. Accompanied by parade marshals, the Daffodil Queen, 17-year-old Carmel Mackin of Puyallup High School, and her six attendants wave gracefully to the spectators lined deep on Pacific Avenue. Sixty thousand daffodils were used on the float which included a spurting fountain. Temperatures in the chilly 50's and gusty winds did not dissuade thousands of parade goers from watching the 28th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade. (TNT 4-8-61, p. 1, TNT 4-9-61, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1961 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mackin, Carmel;

Marching proudly past the Greyhound station at 1319 Pacific Avenue are a 25-piece band and separate drill team during the 1961 Daffodil Parade. These young men may have been part of a local R.O.T.C. unit. Spectators by the thousands had lined the streets of downtown Tacoma to view the annual parade. The 28th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade featured 31 floats, 25 bands and 37 drill teams among other entrants. The gray, overcast skies and temperatures in the 50's did not seem to hamper either parade participants or watchers. (TNT 4-8-61, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1961 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Marching bands; Drill teams;

The twelve 1959 Daffodil Festival Princesses, representing Tacoma, Sumner, Puyallup and Orting, pose in the daffodil fields of the Francis Chervenka family farm on the east side of the Sumner-Orting Highway. Kneeling is Carol Mills, representing Franklin Pierce High School. Seventeen year old Carol was selected to reign as the 1959 Daffodil Queen in April. The standing princesses are left to right Sandra Lilyblad of Sumner, Lani Torre of Wilson H.S., Chris Rupp of Sumner, Julie Wahlgren of Stadium H.S., Caryn Chervenka of Puyallup, Sally Yoder of Sumner, Shelia Keogan of Puyallup, Jo Anne Tatum of Clover Park H.S., Gail Christenson of Puyallup, Anita Johnson of Lincoln H.S. and Gail Eagan of Orting. The 26th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival would take place April 6-12, 1959. It was a salute to Alaska, the newest state. The princesses are dressed in daffodil yellow full skirted dresses with white parka jackets. The jackets are the festival's abbreviated version of an Alaskan parka, designed by Norma Coquillette. They can be worn with hoods, or the hoods can be folded back into a shawl collar. (TNT 2/18/1959, pg. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1959); Mills, Carol; Lilyblad, Sandra; Torre, Lani; Rupp, Chris; Wahlgren, Julie; Chervenka, Caryn; Yoder, Sally; Keogan, Shelia; Tatum, Jo Anne; Christenson, Gail; Johnson, Anita; Eagan, Gail;

Perenniel participants in the annual Daffodil parades were the Pierce County Sheriff's Mounted Posse. They are photographed on April 6, 1963, during the 30th annual Daffodil parade as they pass by the Greyhound station on 13th & Pacific Avenue. The second rider in line lofts the department's flag in one hand. The Mounted Posse took second place in the mounted units division. 34 bands, 37 drill teams, 13 mounted units and 27 floats took part in the parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1963 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Horses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Horseback riding--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mounted police--Tacoma; Standards (Identifying artifacts); Flags--United States;

St. Regis Paper Co. float in 1962 Daffodil Parade. Four ladies in elegant evening gowns wave to the throngs gathered to watch the 29th annual Daffodil Parade as it slowly travels through the streets of downtown Tacoma. The St. Regis float, bedecked with 40,000 daffodils, is passing the 900 block of Pacific Avenue as this photograph was snapped. Entitled "Universe of Science," the float depicted the five science pavilion towers at the (Seattle) World's Fair, a large reflection pool and three live fountains. It was one of 30 floats that saluted the upcoming Century 21 Exposition and captured second place in the parade's commercial division. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 4-7-62, p. 1, 4-8-62, B-9)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1962 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1960-1970;

1972 Daffodil Parade. Neither rain nor wind nor sleet slowed the procession of jeeps rumbling down Pacific Avenue in the 1972 Daffodil Parade. The colorful jeeps belonged to members of the Webfooters Jeep Club. Directly behind the last of the jeeps was the Civil Defense bus.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Jeep automobile;

1973 Daffodil Parade. New Westminister's entry in the 1973 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade was a replica of a smoke-bottle type fire engine, drawn by three white "horses" with saddles of golden daffodils. The Canadian city would have its own annual Hyack Festival the following month. The fire engine honored the memory of New Westminster's first firemen who were from the Hyack Fire Co., founded in 1863. It was fitting that two of the riders on the float were also from foreign countries: Annie Wright School students Keiko Noguchi (Japan) and Firouzeh Ladbon (Iran). "Happiness Is An Old Fire Engine" would win second prize in the "Floats from Other Festivals" category with the entry from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival coming in first. (TNT 4-12-73, A-2 -"Faces & Places--article;" TNT 4-15-73, A-14--notice of awards; TNT 4-15-73, D-9-notice of students)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fire engines--Canada;

1974 Daffodil Parade. The Seattle SeaFair entry spoke of "Pride" and arose patriotic feelings with its display of the American flag in appropriate flowers and a golden eagle at the float's head. Waving to the crowd aboard the float was a young lady dressed in yellow and clutching a bouquet of daffodils; she may have been "Miss SeaFair." This out-of-town entry was selected as the Judges' Award winner for "most original" and was one of the 24 floats included in the parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. The brightness of the Yakima Sunfair Time float was visible blocks away due to its golden sunflowers and big orange globe. Had the parade occurred on a dreary day, the float's vibrant colors would have chased any errant rainclouds. Even under blue skies, the orange and yellows were a striking contrast to the gray roadway. The Yakima Sunfair float topped the "other festivals" list. Aboard the float were Miss Yakima Jenece McClain and princesses Luanne Herzig and Linda Edeler. (TNT 4-12-70, B-2, B-3)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; McClain, Jenece; Herzig, Luanne; Edeler, Linda;

1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Des Moines community's 53-foot Waterland Festival float was decorated in our country's national colors and boasted a 20-piece stage band. Also aboard were four members of the Queen's court. It was one of the 33 floats entered in the 43rd annual Daffodil Festival Grand Floral parade and was awarded third place in the "other festivals" category.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The theme of the 43rd annual Grand Floral Parade was "America's 200 Years." Tacoma City Light traditionally built the non-competitive Queen's float for the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. Aboard the "Mayflower" on Saturday, April 10, 1976, was Daffodil Queen Renee Hopp of Rogers High School and her royal court escorted in the bright sunshine by yellow-clad Daffodilians. The 42-foot float was one-third the actual size of the original ship and was decorated with 10,000 yellow, short-stemmed daffodils. Since the ship's sails were folded, crowds lining the route could better see the parade's royalty. (TNT 4-10-1976, A-3-article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hopp, Renee; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "The 'Cord' That Ties Puget Sound To The World." McChord AFB's entry in the 1977 Grand Floral parade was bedecked with golden daffodils and mementos of familiar Washington sights including the Space Needle, St. Joseph Hospital and the Capitol Bldg. Two airmen stood at the rear of the 42-foot long float just in front of a flowered globe and American flag. Two model airplanes "flew" nearby. 60,000 daffodils were used in the creation of this award-winning float which captured the Judges' Trophy for originality. (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. One of the smaller floats participating in the 44th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival was the entry from KTAC radio - a golf cart. Covered with golden daffodils, the cart held several men, probably employees of the radio station. It pulled a flower-bedecked unit containing a miniature van. KTAC was number 85 on the dial.

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

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Purple was much in evidence in the entry from the Spokane Lilac Association. Association members wearing deep purple jackets accompanied the float which was decorated with yellow daffodils, trees and lilac-tinted blossoms. Three members of the royal court happily greet parade spectators.

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

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. The vessel "Eckankar" sailed down Pacific Avenue during the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade on April 16, 1977. Sponsored by the Tacoma Satsang Society, the float won second place in the Clubs & Organizations category.

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

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Wenatchee Salutes Puget Sound USA" was the entry from the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival. Queen Debbie Crump and two princesses, wearing red apple prints, acknowledge the parade spectators. They are accompanied by several marching Apple Blossom Festival officials. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3 article)

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

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Riding on the back of a killer whale float and accompanied by princesses Mary Riggleman and Karon DiLoreto is Carol Glenn, 1977 Daffodil Queen from Bethel High School. Miss Glenn was the first queen chosen from her school and the first African-American to receive the honor. Her "Whale of a Float" was designed by Tacoma City Light and was decorated with 13,000 daffodils. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Glenn, Carol; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980; African American women--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Judges Trophy for originality was awarded to the Orting Community's entry in the 1978 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade. It was one of the 33 floats entered in the parade. Orting had selected the theme "Lighter than Air" which was aptly displayed by the use of three flowered hot-air balloons floating on large white clouds. Several young ladies in pastels and white, possibly seniors at Orting High School, graced the float. The float measured 42-feet long, 11-feet wide and 13-feet high with some 35,000 white daffodils. The News Tribune noted in its front page parade article that it was a "crowd favorite." (TNT 4-9-78, A-1)

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

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. The 30-member drill team from Gov. John R. Rogers High School in Puyallup march proudly down Pacific Avenue during the April, 1978, Daffodil Festival Parade. The school's 90-piece marching band follows. The Rogers High School entry was one of 12 marching units and drill teams participating in the parade.

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

1971 Daffodil Parade. Marching proudly down Pacific Avenue in rows of three was a contingent from the Afifi Temple. The Shriners wore their color dress uniforms of red and green, including the familiar fez. The springtime sun was out in full force on Saturday, April 3rd, accompanied by soft blue skies. This was a contrast to the Junior Daffodil Parade the week before when brisk winds and cold temperatures chilled participants and parade watchers.

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

1971 Daffodil Parade. Performing intricate maneuvers during the April 3, 1971, Daffodil Festival Parade is this group of sharply dressed young women in red. In addition to the bright red jackets and skirts, they are wearing white berets and gloves. There were a total of 19 drill teams in attendance to delight the waiting throngs.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Drill teams;

1971 Daffodil Parade. Winner of the Princess trophy for best float under 30 feet was the entry from Morton. Entitled the "Morton Loggers Jubilee," the float featured the Jubilee queen and attendants seated before large chunks of wood. The Morton Loggers Jubilee would be held on August 14-15 in 1971. The Morton float was one of 31 floats entered that year in the Daffodil Parade. (TNT 4-3-71, p. 1 - article; TNT 4-4-71, B-7)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1971 Daffodil Parade. "Save Meeker Mansion" was the plaintive plea on this float entered on the April 3, 1971, Daffodil Parade. The float, entitled "On the Trail," depicted a pioneer, probably Ezra Meeker, and his daffodil-covered wagon. The Meeker Mansion was attempting to avoid the wrecking ball and funds were being sought for its rehabilitation.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1971 Daffodil Parade. "Mr. Northwind" and his icy breath drew rounds of applause from the crowds lined up along Pacific Avenue to view the 1971 Daffodil Parade. The float entered by the Fife-Milton community won the coveted "Sweepstakes" award. The float's "snow" was composed of some 50,000 white Mt. Hood daffodils. Perched on glossamer flakes in giant white hoop skirts were princess Karen Barnes and her attendants Lynne Brinkman and Peggy Gaschke. Volunteer help from both Fife and Milton designed and built the award-winning float, including the 13-foot high papier-mache "Mr. Northwind." (TNT 4-3-71, p.1; TNT 4-4-71, B-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Barnes, Karen; Brinkman, Lynne; Gaschke, Peggy;

1971 Daffodil Parade. Horses and horse-drawn wagons were always a favorite entry in the annual Daffodil Festival Parades. This team of four brown and white horses pull a wagon entitled "Century Cafe Buckly" with two white-hatted men as drivers. There were 11 mounted units in the 1971 parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Horses--Tacoma;

1971 Daffodil Parade. Native Americans on horseback composed one of the 11 mounted units participating in the 1971 Daffodil Festival Parade. Led by an unidentified man in feathered headdress, the riders may have represented more than one tribe.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Indians of North American--Clothing & dress; Horses--Tacoma;

1972 Daffodil Parade. Making an appeal for "Universal Peace" was the entry from the Fife-Milton Daffodil Association. Doves "flew" over the yellow and pink blossoms of this award-winning float. This lovely float won the Judges' Trophy for originality. (TNT 4-9-72, A-4, B-7)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Steve Pease & Wife in carriage being pulled by a horse wearing a hat at the 1956 Daffodil Parade on Pacific Avenue with North Pacific Plywood Inc. building and water tower in the background.

Morton Loggers Jubilee float at the 1956 Daffodil Parade on Pacific Avenue with North Pacific Plywood Inc. building and water tower in the background.. The float appears to be a flatbed vehicle covered in daffodils and green crepe paper and is carrying a large log.

The Independent Order of Foresters Float in the 1956 Daffodil Parade on Pacific Avenue with North Pacific Plywood Inc. building and water tower in the background. The float has multiple people in uniform waving and holding flags with felled log in the center of the vehicle.