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);

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);

The Girl Scouts of America are well represented as they march down Pacific Ave. past the Bank of California building and the United Mutual Savings Bank in the 1955 Daffodil Parade.The girls wear the traditional uniform of skirt, shirt, kerchief and beret type hat. Bands worn diagonally across their chests are for displaying merit badges. There are lots of ankle socks and saddle shoes in the group. The leaders march along with their girls.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Girl Scouts (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;

This float, designed for the Omaha Woodman Life Insurance Society, has a frontier theme and appears to be populated by Boy Scouts. The Scouts embrace the frontier way of life foraging for their own food by rifle, bow and arrow and fishing. Two boys wave a large American flag. A floral log cabin occupies the front half of the float. This was one of 59 floral float entries in the 1956 parade, the 23rd annual Daffodil Festival Parade.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Omaha Woodman Life Insurance Society (Tacoma);

McKinnon's Department store's contribution to the 1956 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade is dedicated to "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin eater." It is the story of a man who couldn't hang on to his wife, so he put her in a pumpkin shell where she seems quite content to remain in this picture. A bevy of beautiful girls with daffodil chain crowns ride on the front of the float. This float won third place in Division 8, retail stores, behind Sears and Rhodes.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; McKinnon's Department Store (Tacoma);

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 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. 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;

Float #13 in the 1958 Daffodil Parade was entitled "Alaska's Future in Oil" and was sponsored by the Pierce County Oil Information Committee. The float emphasized Alaska's vast oil resources and its desire to become our 49th state. Three children dressed in identical hoods and warm clothing, perhaps reflecting the future population of the forthcoming state, were seated on the float.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Pierce County Oil Information Committee (Tacoma);

Throngs line Pacific Avenue outside Hopper-Kelly, Washington Camera Mart and Horluck's to admire the entries in the 1958 Daffodil Parade. Passing slowly by was Float #30, sponsored by the Savings & Loan Associations of Tacoma, the top Sweepstakes Award winner. "Cinderella", Kathy Gustafson, rode in an open carriage pulled by four prancing horses, preceded by the smiling Fairy Godmother, Naoma Williams. Joann Greer was the pre-ball Cinderella. At 70 feet the longest float in the parade, the Savings & Loan Associations float was covered with 60,000 daffodils. The Daffodil Festival theme that year was "Fairy Tales in Daffodils." (TNT 4-12-58, A-1, TNT 4-13-58, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Savings & Loan Associations of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Rain did not deter these youngsters from rushing to Float #28, a Dutch wonderland of daffodil fields, during the 30th annual Daffodil Festival on April 6, 1963. While the wet and chilly weather, unusual in the past few Daffodil parades, may have forced some spectators to huddle under canopies, other Tacomans stoically stood on the sidewalks to view the colorful spectacle of 27 floats, 34 marching bands, and 37 drill teams. Thousands would watch the parade in person, warmly dressed to ward off rain and cold, while thousands of others would view the procession in the comfort of their own homes via television. Approximately two million daffodils were used in the parade. (TNT 4-6-63, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1963 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Daffodils--Tacoma; Windmills--Tacoma;

Float #19 with its carousel and miniature ferris wheel slowly proceeded through the wet streets of downtown Tacoma on April 6, 1963. Entitled "Moments of Make Believe," it was the Fife Boosters Club's entry in the 30th annual Daffodil Parade. The three princesses, Jane Durr on throne, Diane Reck and Janie Yamada standing, bore umbrellas and wore sheer raincoats to protect them against the rain. The eight children on the carnival rides also appeared equipped with rain gear. Depicting great moments in the lives of children, the Fife community's entry won first prize in Division 3, incorporated communities over 1500 population. (TNT 4-7-63, B-8)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1963 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merry-go-rounds--Tacoma; Ferris wheels--Tacoma;

1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. Waving to the throngs lining several feet deep on Pacific Avenue were the royalty aboard the Capital Lakefair float from Olympia. The elegant float was decorated in golden daffodils and white blossoms with a sculptured canopy adorned with silver and black glittering stars. It was awarded second 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. Bright sunshine and 56 degree temperatures brought crowds estimated in Tacoma alone at 50,000 to watch the 1976 Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. For the second year in a row, the Orting-Fife-Milton communities won the FTD Sweepstakes for the best float overall. Their Bicentennial float, "East Meets West," was the longest float ever to enter the parade. It took five drivers to maneuver the 120-foot coupled float. The float depicted the driving of the Golden Spike to link east and west coasts by rail. (TNT 4-10-76, A-3 article; TNT 3-12-76, A-3 article; TNT 4-11-76, AA2-article)

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

1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Harbor Holidays 35-foot float, "Lindbergh Flight to Paris," won the top prize in the "communities under 5000" category for the 1976 Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. The Gig Harbor Peninsula community's float commemorated the first solo non-stop TransAtlantic flight from New York to Paris in May of 1927. There were 40,000 yellow, golden and sprayed blue daffodils used in the creation of the float. (TNT 4-10-76, A-3-article)

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

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Reflections of Downtown Tacoma" was the award-winning entry from the Downtown Tacoma Association. Six new buildings and a fountain full of daffodils made note of downtown's growth. An unidentified 4-piece band and Ms. Downtown Tacoma accompanied the float. It won the Commissioners' Trophy for best commercial float. (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. Nearing the end of the two hour parade came the float sponsored by the Concerned Christian Laymen, Inc., "Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone." A golden cross of daffodils in a field of blue was in the foreground of the float. Nationally known singer, Henry Rodstrom, was aboard. (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. Governor Dixy Lee Ray served as Grand Marshall of the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade. Governor Ray, in brown jacket, is seated up high in a 1930 dual windshield Packard. Riding with her were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Galbraith, Dr. Harlan P. McNutt -director of DSHS, and one of Governor Ray's poodles. Tacoma was Governor Ray's hometown; she graduated from Stadium High School and had fond memories of past Daffodil festivals. (TNT 4-17-77, D-1, D-5 articles)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ray, Dixy Lee, 1914-1994; Governors; Packard automobile;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Scouting is a Free Spirit" won the Princess Trophy for best float under 30-feet for the Mt. Rainier Council Boy Scouts of America. 60,000 white and yellow daffodils decorated the float. Six phases of scouting were represented aboard the float including Cub Scouts, Sea Scouts, Explorers and the handicapped. The drummer is with the "order of the arrow." Native American dancers were in step with the float.

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

1978 Daffodil Parade. Accompanied by marching Daffodilians, Daffodil Queen Janice Ash of Wilson High School and two of her royal court wave to the crowds gathered along Pacific Avenue during the 45th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Floral parade on April 8, 1978. They were aboard the 48-foot long by 14-foot wide Tacoma City Light float adorned with 60,000 golden daffodils. The Queen's float carried a spectacular 13-foot high exotic butterfly and Monarch butterflies that bobbed and swayed with the breeze. Graydon Bailey was the builder of the float which exemplified the festival's theme, "Free Spirit." (TNT 4-9-78, A-1 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1978 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ash, Janice; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. Weaving down Pacific Avenue to the delight of the many spectators was the Union Pacific Railroad's Diesel No. X-956 and miniature train. Built in the Omaha shops to a 3/8 scale in 1955, the gasoline powered train has since been a busy traveler with some 50 engagements per year. The train weighs less than 5 1/2 tons and is 84-feet long, 5'2" in height and 4-feet wide. Its turning radius is 32 feet. Pictured above during the 1978 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade is the yellow locomotive, boxcar, orange PFE car, black tank car and red gondola. The yellow caboose is not in sight. (Parade notes--Richards Studio)

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

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);

The Queen and her court on the Tacoma City Light float make the turn onto Pacific Avenue to the delight of thousands of spectators viewing the 1957 Daffodil Parade. Escorted by dapper caped men, the Portland Rosarians, Daffodil queen Janice Methven of Lincoln High School and princesses are seated on a slender barge of blossoms, with an enormous eye-catching lyre as the backdrop. The theme of the 24th annual Daffodil Festival was "Melodies in Daffodils". 60,000 King Alfred daffodils decorated the float "Pomp and Circumstance", including a fountain spraying streams of golden flowers. Photograph ordered by Tacoma City Light. (TNT 4-13-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Methven, Janice;