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;
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;
The Tigerannas drill team, from Stadium High School in Tacoma, marches sharply down Pacific Avenue during the 1950 Daffodil Parade, despite the umbrellas held up by spectators to ward off spring showers. The 1950 parade was the largest ever, with 125 units- 70 floats, 18 bands, 26 marching organizations and several comic units, mounted groups and decorated automobiles. The parade in Tacoma was well attended by over 100,000, braving cold winds and scattered showers to cheer the parade on.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Drill Teams;
Children drive this daffodil "carriage" down Pacific Ave. in the 1950 Daffodil Parade, holding onto streamers attached to an giant ornamental bag of flour labelled with the float's sponsor Centennial Flouring Mills Company. Early invitations went out to area businesses and organizations from the Board of Directors of the Daffodil Festival asking them to sponsor floats in the parade. The parade itself had a very small budget and relied on donations, contributions and volunteer workers.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial Flouring Mills Co. (Tacoma);
This daffodil bedecked automobile was sponsored by the Honolulu Conservatory of Music, at 617 No. 2nd. This popular studio owned by F. J. Piper taught the music of the islands to willing students and performed throughout the area. The Conservatory's specialty was musical instruction on accordion and guitar. Young students in native costume and leis perform from the decorated trailer as it proceeds down Pacific Ave. pulled by the automobile.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma);
Carsten's float turns the corner from Broadway to 9th St. in the 1950 Daffodil parade. The parade route in Tacoma started from the line up area on 17th to Broadway, turned on 9th and continued down Pacific back to 17th. Crowds are in places ten people deep to watch the parade, with some standing on ladders for a better view. The best viewpoint belongs to those watching from the upper windows and the fire escape. A large group of people watch the parade from the top of Rhodes department store. To the right of the picture stands the Junior Chamber of Commerce's "Safety First" sign, noting the number of deathless days in Tacoma traffic.
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);
Daffodil court members stand between the wings of floral doves in this tribute to the "American Way" produced by St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company, winner of the first place commercial entry award. A huge floral daffodil dominates the center of the float, followed by a fountain at the rear of the float. The float had just turned the corner from 9th onto Pacific. The Daffodil parade has been held annually since 1934 except for World War II years, and was suggested as a use for the blooms of the Puyallup Valleys' Daffodil bulb crop that were either thrown away or used as fertilizer before the parade's inception.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
Tacoma Seed Company, 805 Pacific Ave., sponsored this entry- a Sunbeam Greenhouse pulled by an automobile. The greenhouse is full of hot house flowers including some daffodils. The crowd on Pacific Ave. bundled up in coats, hats and blankets against the brisk spring weather look longingly at the warmth inside the greenhouse. Tacoma Seed Co. was also featured prominently at the Flower Show that was part of the Daffodil Festival celebration.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Tacoma Seed Co. (Tacoma);
The crowd disperses from the 900 block of Pacific Avenue after the completion of the enormously successful 1950 Daffodil Parade, leaving a large job for the street cleaning crew. One man descends from the Federal Finance Co. awning, where he had scrambled up to better view the parade. The Daffodil Festival and its parade were the brainchild of the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner. A volunteer Board of Directors from these cities, representing Chambers of Commerce, businesses and growers, toiled throughout the year without pay to plan the festivities. Ski and yacht clubs planned events in conjunction, and professional growers worked with womens' garden clubs on the Flower Show. The whole Festival was ruled over by a teenage Daffodil Queen elected from one of the three sponsoring cities.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma);
This "hooked" and flower bedecked King Salmon is one half of the float sponsored by the Young Mens Improvement Club in the 1950 Daffodil Parade, the other half is the boat and fisherman pulling it down Pacific Avenue. This ingenious two part float was the third place winner in class 3. The float celebrated the dominance of King Salmon in Northwest commercial and game fishing. (TNT 4/2/1950, pg. A-8)
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;
This float by Tacoma City Lights carried Queen Nancy Jean Davis (at rear) of Sumner, Princess Audrey Rentsch (left) of Puyallup, and Princess Betty Hurlong (right) of Stadium High in Tacoma down Pacific Avenue during the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The float was decked with thousands of daffodils and tulips befitting the royal trio. The trio were very busy during the Festival and throughout the Spring attending functions and representing the Puyallup Valley area.
This floral tribute to the daffodil, Puyallup Valley's bright yellow herald of Spring, won the first prize commercial entry award for St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The daffodil industry was established in the Valley in 1926. The area's farmers were dealing with the failing hops industry brought on by Prohibition and a hops virus that decimated the crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture was looking for a location to establish a bulb industry, for daffodils, tulips and irises, to rival that of Holland. The Valley had the perfect growing conditions for daffodils and soon established itself as the leader in the industry, producing bulbs that bested those of Holland, being larger and earlier.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
This daffodil sailed boat was the entry of the Retail Trade Bureau in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The float was a play on words proclaiming "Better 'sales' for a Greater Tacoma." The 17th annual parade was a huge affair attended by more than a 100,000, however the parade tradition began in the town of Sumner with $25 and a small parade of wagons and trucks decorated with discarded daffodil heads at the height of bloom season.
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. sponsored this floral tribute to the pig, where two uniformed chefs cook giant bacon, in the 1950 Daffodil parade. Carstens were meat and poultry packers located at 1623 East J, on the Tideflats. The TC stands for Thomas Carstens, President of the company. Thousands of daffodils adorn the float, and two pigs guard the giant Carsten ham at the rear of the float. The window that the float driver sees through was clearly seen at the front of the float.
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);
An unidentified uniformed marching band makes the turn from Broadway to 9th St. during the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The band, one of 18 participating in the parade, is followed by a decorated car and the "Birthday cake" float of Troop 84, Boy & Cub Scouts from Midland. A costumed roller skater skates in the area beside the float and the following truck. The signs for the Hotel Winthrop and the Roxy Theatre are prominent in the foreground of the picture.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Marching bands; Band uniforms--Tacoma;
A unidentified young woman sits atop car #64 supplied by the American Automobile Association to the Country House restaurant, Pacific Ave. near 147th, for use in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. The young lady smiles brightly despite that fact that the Saturday of the parade was chilly with cold winds and scattered showers.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma);
The Wild West was represented in the 1950 Daffodil Parade by this daffodil covered horse drawn carriage from Krause & Swanson, Inc., real estate, insurance and investment brokers. The man at the back of the carriage played music on a lap held keyboard or dulcimer while Western garbed riders clapped in time. The float was followed by a mounted drill team. Krause & Swanson at 117 So. 11th was owned by Ernest R. Krause, President, and Allen C. Swanson, Vice President.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Daffodil court members smile and wave from this daffodil covered float pulled by two floral bees sponsored by Busch's Drive In, winner of the 2nd place award for commercial entries in the 1950 Daffodil Parade. Busch's Drive In was the "in" place for teens in the 1950's with ten-cent hamburgers, french fries, milk shakes, curb service, car hops and plenty of parking room to show off their cars. Busch's Drive In was owned by William M. (Bill) Busch and located at 3505 South Tacoma Way. TPL-9545
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);
Three members of the Daffodil Royal Court ride on the float sponsored by St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., winner of the first place commercial entry. In previous years, the Festival had been reigned over by a high school aged Queen and two princesses. For the first time in 1950, a royal court of 16 attendants were selected. Twelve of these came from Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner, as did the Royalty, and the town of Orting was asked to select four court members. This was the first time that the agricultural area of Orting was officially recognized as part of the Festival core group.
Celebrations--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
Launching of the "Bev Marie". The 113 foot tuna clipper was built for Captain Paul Lynn. She could carry a crew of 14 and a small seaplane, the first ship to be built in Tacoma with plans for a plane. She had a refrigerated capacity to carry 230 tons of fish. (TNT, 4/22/1950, p.7) TPL-9029
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 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);
Jane Shadley and Carl Russell Herness were married June 24, 1950, at Lincoln Park Christian Church. The Reverend Donald Cox performed the double-ring ceremony and the bride was given in marriage by Roy A. Cornwell. The bride wore an ankle-length gown of imported egg-shell Irish linen lace, fashioned with a yoke of net ornamented with lace. Her pink shoulder-length veil was caught with orange blossoms to a satin-trimmed lace cap. She wore a single strand of pearls, a gift of the bridegroom, and carried orchids and stephanotis. The reception was held in the church parlors. (TNT, 8/7/1950, p.7)
Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Lincoln Park Christian Church (Tacoma); Shadley, Jane--Marriage;
Miss Phyllis Anderson was not overlooking the tiniest detail as her wedding day, May 19, 1950, approached. That is the most important finger which is receiving the nail polish, the finger onto which Jack D. Houghton will slip the ring during their wedding in Parkland Lutheran Church. Ordered by the Tribune for a layout on wedding preparations. (TNT, 5/3/1950, p.37)
Miss Jane Shadley and Carl R. Herness were busy planning their honeymoon trip. They were to be married June 24, 1950. They were interrupted while scanning travel folders at a travel agency. Ordered by the Tribune for a layout on wedding preparations. (TNT, 5/3/1950, p.40)
Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Journalism--Tacoma--1950-1960; Travel--Tacoma; Honeymoons--Tacoma--1950-1960; Couples--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shadley, Jane; Herness, Carl R.;
