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;
1972 Daffodil Parade. This entry from St. Regis Paper Co. with its enormous daffodils won the Mayor's Trophy for best use of the flower in the Grand Floral Parade. There were a total of 75,000 golden daffodils on the float. Attendants on the float were possibly employees or employee family members of St. Regis. (TNT 4-9-72, A-4, B-3)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1972 Daffodil Parade. Garnering second place in the "Other Festivals" division was this entry from the Portland Rose Festival accompanied by the Royal Rosarians. A small old-fashioned plane, apparently made of golden daffodils, rests above blue skies and fluffy clouds. Her female "pilot" waves to the waiting crowd.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1973 Daffodil Grand Parade. The lack of sunshine did not deter both participants and spectators for the 40th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade held on April 14, 1973. There were 27 floats, 10 mounted units, 33 bands and 25 drill teams to delight the waiting crowds. Entry #20 in the parade was "Universal Freedom" from Bates Vocational Technical Institute. A giant eagle hovers protectively over the three smiling riders aboard the King Alfred & Mt. Hood daffodil-decorated float. It would go on to win the Princess Trophy, awarded to the best float under 30 feet. (TNT 4-15-73, A-14-awards; TNT 4-15-73, B-7)
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1974 Daffodil Parade. Passing by Pearl & Eddie's Restaurant at 8th & Pacific was the entry from the Pacific National Exhibition which had traveled from Vancouver, B.C. Entitled "Love-A-Fair," the Canadian float was colorfully decorated in red, white and yellow blossoms and several tall whirligigs. A cheerful clown and small animal-filled carousel along with two smiling African American young ladies completed the float. The float won the Festival trophy for best from another festival.
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;
1975 Daffodil Festival Parade. Two teams of horses pull a replica of an old fashioned Conestoga wagon down Pacific Avenue on April 12, 1975, during the 42nd annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. A similar wagon, if not this particular one, would be Washington State's entry in the Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage to Pennsylvania in 1976. It was a fitting reminder of the parade's theme - "Remember When."
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1975 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Wagon trains--Tacoma; Horses--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;
Third Division Review held at Fort Lewis May 13, 1937. Soldiers march with rifles over their shoulders in front of military and government officials. (T. Times, 5/14/1937, pg. 1)
Military officers and dignitaries in the reviewing stand at Fort Lewis during the May 13, 1937 review of the Third Division. It is worth noting that the army still used covered wagons pulled by mules to transport supplies (far left). (T. Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)
Photographs of the Third Division Review held at Fort Lewis May 13, 1937 with various public officials and high ranking officers in attendance. In this picture, troops march before the reviewing stand as planes zoom overhead. (T.Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)
Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Fighter planes--1930-1940;
Governors Review at Fort Lewis. Six military tanks in parade at this point; courtesy of either the 3rd Tank Co. or 41st Tank Co. Each tank has two men standing in the hull. A dirigible from the 3rd Balloon Co. is suspended overhead throughout the review. The U.S. Army put on a show of military force when it gathered 14,000 troops to pass in review before the governors of Washington, Oregon and Montana. Major General George A. White, commander of the 41st Division, was in charge of troop activity. 7518 men were from the national guard; Oregon sent the most, over 3000. (T .Times, 8-21-37, p. 1, 8-23-37, p. 1)
Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Tanks (Military science)--Fort Lewis;
Navy Day Parade held in Tacoma during Fleet Week. Sailors march down Broadway in front of buildings in the 900 block. A large crowd of spectators line the sidewalks. The parade route began at 15th and Pacific, continued north on Pacific to 9th, from 9th to Broadway and south to 17th. The parade was more than a mile long. (T. Times 7/24/1937, pg.1)
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Parade in Tacoma. A Marine unit stands at attention along a side street in Tacoma. They are in full dress uniform with gloves and rifles. They will soon be marching in the Fleet Week parade with soldiers from Fort Lewis and sailors from the US Navy as Tacoma welcomes back its Fleet. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1).
Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marines (Military personnel);
It was "Westward Ho" at the Bremerton Children's Pet Parade on August 29, 1936. The Richards photographer captured some children re-enacting a pioneer event--westward movement. A boy with a fake white mustache was photographed sitting on a toy horse pulling a girl with a baby doll in a covered wagon. 264 youngsters took part in the parade sponsored by the Retail Merchants' Association. (Bremerton Sun 08/31/1936, pg. 1).
Parades & processions--Bremerton; Children--Bremerton--1930-1940; Toys; Dolls; Children playing adults;
On June 5, 1937, over 1,000 Shriners descended on Tacoma for a spring reunion hosted by Tacoma's Afifi Temple. One of the first things that they did was organize a parade. Seven Shriners, including four flag bearers, gather in front of the Winthrop Hotel to wait for the parade to begin. A Shriners marching band is behind them.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Flags; Standards (Identifying artifacts); Flag bearers;
The second annual Fairyland and Christmas Parade, November 29, 1935. A large crowd of spectators, including lots of excited children, lines the street at South 9th and Saint Helens Avenue to catch a glimpse of Santa. Caswell Optical Company can be seen in the background. The parade was sponsored by the Broadway and Pacific Avenue merchants the day after Thanksgiving to kick off the Christmas shopping season. The parade route began at 7th and Broadway and proceeded south to 13th Street and north on Pacific to 7th Street. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)
1935 Fairyland and Christmas Parade. Float carrying Humpty Dumpty and all the Kings Men (soldiers) on Broadway in front of the Elks' Temple. Parade officials run alongside the float. The parade was sponsored by the Broadway and Pacific merchants to kick off the Christmas Shopping season. This was the second annual parade, held the day after Thanksgiving. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)
Fairyland and Christmas parade for children, 1935. Clowns and toy blocks standing by the Three Wise Men float on Broadway. Brandes-Madsen Co. building and Broadway Service Station Mobilgas station and Willis-Tacoma Motor Service in background.The dancing blocks spelling "TOYS" followed Santa and proceeded the Three Wise Men on the camels. Some of the favorite characters in the parade were the clowns and the paraders wearing the huge heads. This parade was sponsored by the Broadway and Pacific Ave. merchants and took place the day after Thanksgiving, officially beginning the Christmas shopping season. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)
Fairyland and Christmas parade for children, November 29, 1935. A tall figure on a float moving along the street in front of Brandes-Madsen Co. and the Broadway Service Mobilgas station. This float depicts the giant that Jack killed in Jack and the Bean Stalk. All the floats were peopled with characters from Fairy Tales. Thousands of Tacoma youngsters turned out to wave to their favorite imaginary character. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)
1937 Daffodil Parade. Three patrolmen on motorcycles proceed a military unit, military band and flag bearers marching down Ninth Street to Pacific Avenue. (T. Times, 4/10/1937, p. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1937 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Marching bands--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1937 Daffodil Parade. Close-up of Festival Queen Dorothy I (Lyons) and her attendants, Eugenia Spencer of Tacoma and Hazel Phillips of Puyallup, standing on the reviewing stand at Tenth Street and Pacific. (T. Times, 4/10/1937, p. 1)
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1937 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Reviewing stands; Lyons, Dorothy; Spencer, Eugenia; Phillips, Hazel;
A man carefully dabs on paint on the "log" cabin as Lincoln Electric prepares its float for the 1953 Daffodil parade. A giant penny is located on one end of the float with Lincoln's head in silhouette; Lincoln Electric also used a silhouette of Lincoln on its building at South 38th and Park. Photograph ordered by Tony Ricono.
Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1953 : Tacoma); Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Silhouettes;
