The Tacoma Outboard Association displayed some humor with this action loaded float in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The motorboat named Wha' Hoppin' pulled three water skiers on a daffodil formed sea. Spectators stand 4-5 deep on the sidewalk and in all store front windows to watch the parade. More than 100,000 viewed the parade in Tacoma. TPL-5485
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Outboard Association (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Spectators--Tacoma;
The 1950 Daffodil Parade winds its way along the 1300 block of Pacific Ave. with the Associated General Contractors' Sweepstakes winner windmill float in the foreground. The parade consisted of floats, drill teams, color guards, bands and even a dog team of huskies. The parade was seen by over 100,000 people in Tacoma, with sidewalks on Pacific and Broadway ten people deep in places. Every area police officer, county deputy sheriff and state patrolman was needed to handle traffic into and out of the city.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma);
The Country House Restaurant, Pacific Ave. near 147th, sponsored this decorated car in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. A long legged American beauty rode as a hood ornament, while costumed tap dancers danced along the side as the floor show. For parade performers, the parade was an all day affair. There was an early line up in Tacoma where the parade route took approximately two hours to complete, then everyone was loaded in buses to go to Puyallup and Sumner and repeat the process again.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;
This floral tribute to Holland and the windmill won the Sweepstakes Award in the 1950 Daffodil parade for the Associated General Contractors. The contracting group were newcomers to the parade, winning the award with their first ever entry. The group's officers line up behind their float and the Dutch costumed young ladies on the float smile despite the morning chill.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Associated General Contractors, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma);
This "bee-powered" daffodil carriage adorned with smiling court members in front of 1748 Jefferson Ave, was the second place winner in the class 4 commercial group of the 1950 Daffodil parade. The entry was sponsored by Busch's Drive In restaurant at 3505 South Tacoma Way. More than 800,000 daffodils plus assorted other spring flowers were used in the parade. Spectators arrived as early as 8a.m. to line the parade route and were advised to use mass transportation and car pools to avoid traffic jams. TPL-9544
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);
Children of Centennial Flouring Mills employees ride in a daffodil bedecked carriage holding streamers attached to a giant ornamental bag of flour during the 1950 Daffodil Parade. Centennial Mills, located on the water at 705 Dock St., manufactured flour, cereal, poultry and dairy feeds, dried peas and beans, and Frolic dog food. The 1950 parade lined up at South 17th and Jefferson for the 10:00a.m. kick off and moved up Broadway to So. 9th and then back down Pacific Ave. to 17th. Participants were then loaded on buses and trucks for later parades in Puyallup and Sumner. The floats were driven to the later parades under police escort.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial Flouring Mills Co. (Tacoma);
The top is up on this convertible representing Art's Peach Orchard, of University Place, in the 1950 Daffodil Parade to protect riders from morning rain as cars and floats line up for the big event. The automobile is covered with foil and decorated with daffodils and flowering spring branches for a festive look. The parade was seen by more than 100,000 people in Tacoma and 30,000 in Puyallup and Sumner.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Art's Peach Orchard (University Place); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960;
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;
Thousands thronged the streets to view the 1950 Daffodil Parade which featured 70 floats including this one from the Carstens Packing Company. Two chefs are seen "cooking" giant bacon. The parade was over two hours long and not even a short burst of morning rain dampened the parade watchers' enthusiasm.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);
The College of Puget Sound's entrant in the 1950 Daffodil Parade was a floral shoe surrounded by students, a reference to the "little old lady who lived in a shoe" nursery rhyme. The float emphasized "build with CPS" as the student body outgrew their campus and the College entered into a period of capital expansion. One student played a bass from the window of the shoe providing music as well. Prime viewing space for the parade belonged to owners and employees of the closed stores along Pacific Ave. who watched the parade from inside the storefront windows, avoiding the often inclement Northwest weather. Other prime viewing areas were the tops of buildings and fire escapes.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;
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);
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);
Two bathing beauties pose beside a 1950 Hudson decorated by Central Motors auto dealers, 714 Broadway, as their entry in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The girls smile despite the cool and gloomy parade weather. The 1950 parade was celebrating its 17th year in existence and was the longest and best attended in the history of the parade.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Parades & Processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Bathing suits; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Central Motors (Tacoma);
View of the Tacoma City Light daffodil float; this float carried the Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival royalty through the downtown streets of Tacoma on April 9, 1949. Daffodil Queen Mary Jean Gropper is seated in center, her two attendants/princesses are seated below her, Frances Denzler and Marcia Keefe (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); Gropper, Mary Jean;
View of the Saint Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company's parade float moving along Pacific Avenue; this float features "The Timber Beast" and had actual smoke coming out of its nostrils. St. Paul and Tacoma was named the Parade's Sweepstakes Winner (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);
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 16th Annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival was one of the best ever; the weather was about 71 degrees, making it one of the warmest daffodil weekends ever. View of the Puyallup Elks Club float; they were awarded top honors among the lodges category. The float queen's extra long train is being carried by the little daffodil princesses (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);
More than 100,000 people in Tacoma attended the 1949 Daffodil Parade and watched the wonderful floats parade along Broadway and Pacific Avenue. View of daffodil-covered float advertising "United Tacoma Days" shopping values and bargains galore on May 19, 20 and 21. This float was sponsored by the Tacoma Retail Trade Bank (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);
The Daffodil Festival had three days of activities planned for this year's celebration. Governor Langie would be crowning the 1949 Daffodil Queen, Mary Jane Gropper from Puyallup. View of the Pierce County Sheriff's Posse, a horse cart is being pulled by a daffodil decorated automobile (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. 1, 12 & B-6).
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Horses--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma);
This year's Daffodil Festival was being called "the most successful of all daffodil celebrations". View of the United States Indian Hospital float, they received 2nd place for their float; the daffodil creation features hospital staff, an indian chief and a teepee. This float was made possible by employee contributions (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);
The 16th Annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade would begin on South 17th Street and Broadway and end on South 7th Street and Pacific Avenue. View of the Lions Club float featuring "Little Tyke", a live African lioness and 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);
View of float with unidentified float princess waving to the parade spectators; this float is advertising the daffodil and flower show at College of Puget Sound's new gymnasium, Memorial Fieldhouse; a replica of the newly built gymnasium is constructed out of daffodils and flowers (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);
The 16th annual daffodil parade had thirteen bands scheduled to perform from various schools throughout Western Washington. The spectators would also enjoy various daffodil covered floats. View of Carstens Packing Company's parade float entry; it appears to be some type of daffodil covered "Northwest Favorites" meat product (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);
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);
Daffodil Queen and Princesses, Times, Sandy. Marcia Keefe, 16-year-old junior from Lincoln High School, was chosen to be one of the two princesses of the Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival for 1949. She is pictured above, carrying a large bouquet of daffodils, with the other 22 Lincoln contestants whose names are listed in a News Tribune article dated February 13, 1949. Marcia, the daughter of the R.E. Keefes of 1676 So. 40th St., saw nursing in her future after completing her education. Mary Jean Gropper of Puyallup was selected as queen of the festival. (TNT, 2/13/1949, p.1 & A-8; T.Times 2-13-1949, p. 1-alt. photograph; TNT 2-13-1949, A-8-alt. photograph)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1949 : Tacoma); Keefe, Marcia; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Daffodil Parade, Times. The Golden Arrow Archery Club depicted Robin Hood and his merry band with several members on the float in costume. A large circular target is shown at the rear of the float. Several members are walking ahead of the float pulling ropes. Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant and Tavern is seen on the opposite side of the street as well as an entrance to a pool parlor.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Golden Arrow Archery Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma; Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant & Tavern (Tacoma);
Daffodil Parade, Times. The crowd is dispersing after the parade along Pacific Avenue. The parade had a 2 mile march line. The Cameo Theater and Bragets Auto Supply are seen on the left. A large number of people are crossing Pacific in the background at 11th Street. TPL-9923
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma;
Daffodil Parade, Times. The 3rd District of the Veterans of Foreigh Wars won 1st place for organizations and lodges other than service clubs for their float in 1948. They announced their state convention in Tacoma June 23 -26. (TNT, 4/3/1948, p.1)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Veterans of Foreign Wars (Tacoma); Emblems; Veterans organizations--Tacoma;
