Pepsi Cola sponsored this salute to Tacoma's Rainbow Girls in the 1955 Daffodil Parade. The side of the float refers to Pepsi as "the light refreshment." No doubt the girls riding on the float in the abbreviated swimsuits were goose bumped as the day was both rainy and cool, however both girls smile at the crowd. The other girls are dressed in sleeveless evening gowns. Membership in the Order of the Rainbow is open to girls 13-20 who are related to members of the Masonic Lodge or the Eastern Star. The order was founded in 1922 in Oklahoma. Their ritual is based on the 9th chapter of Genesis and the virtues of faith, hope and charity. The seven colors of the rainbow symbolize life, religion, nature, immortality, fidelity, patriotism and virtue.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co.; Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The winning float in the 1955 Industrial Division of the Daffodil Parade was sponsored by Carstens Hygrade. A floral basket holding young girls in white dresses with wrist length white gloves is being pulled by ribbons held in the beaks of floral birds. All float entries were judged according to artistic design and originality, with appearance, originality, conformity to theme, artistic features and detail being scored. No floats were permitted in the parade unless they were at least 75 % covered with flowers or other floral materials.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);

Students from the Marymount Military Academy, marching in precision with rifles, drill past the intersection of Pacific Ave. and 11th St. in the 22nd annual Daffodil Parade. They are dressed in uniforms and led by platoon officers with swords and banners. Founded in 1923, Marymount was the only military school in the state of Washington. It was run by the Dominican sisters and located south of Tacoma in Spanaway on the grounds of the Shields "Shangarry" estate. Students came from around the world to attend this boarding school.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

The Daffodil Court attendants' float travels down Pacific Avenue, following that of Queen Elvera I and preceding the Eatonville drill team. Riding on the float are Sally Strobel, Sandra Drahold, Rosemary Fly, Gloria Minarisich, Janet Bock, Dorothy Sellers and Colleen Doyle surrounded by 30,000 daffodils. The float is flanked by the Rosarians as guards, representatives from the Rose Parade in Portland, Oregon. The float was sponsored by the Young Mens Business Club and built by the Associated Contractors.

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

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);

1955 Daffodil Queen Elvera Sommer, from Puyallup, waves from her sunburst throne on the 50 foot City Light float. The float, designed by Weston DeMaris and built by Bill Knabel, is adorned with 50,000 blossoms of daffodil, iris and foliage. The Queen is accompanied by her Princesses Marianna Vaughan of Sumner and Bette Birkland, a senior at Stadium High School in Tacoma. Also adorning the float are Daffodil court members Darlene Swalley and Judy Nelson, on the left, and Philimine Tungsvik and Joanne Sheppard, on the right. Queen Elvera I had only been in the U.S. for three years, coming as an immigrant from war torn Germany. She repeatedly emphasized in speeches how wonderful America was and how happy she was to be here. She was the perfect representative for the theme "Golden Future." In 1955, for the first time the queen was chosen from an open field of candidates from Puyallup, Sumner and Tacoma high schools. In previous years, each city had elected the queen solely from their city in alternating years.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Sommer, Elvera; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The float entered by the Knights of Pythias won 3rd place in Division 4, Fraternal groups, in the 1955 Daffodil Parade. In keeping with the theme "Golden Future," steps labelled benevolence, charity and friendship lead to the doorway flanked with the words Universal Brotherhood. The Pythian symbol adorns the front of the float, a triangle within a triangle. The float is being pulled by a late model convertible.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Knights of Pythias (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The 1955 Sweepstakes Award went to this float sponsored by the U.S. Naval Station and Tacoma Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet. In keeping with the theme of a "Golden Future," the float has a nine foot golden daffodil cross and a eight foot revolving world globe. The two are connected by a rainbow of tinted daffodils, symbolizing faith, hope and love, that flows from the foot of the cross to all surfaces of the world. The design is covered with 150,000 daffodils and adorned by Navy wives and Naval service employees. This inspiring float marked the second year that the Navy float had won the top award.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Naval yards & naval stations--Tacoma; Navies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);

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;

Members of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) march down Pacific Ave. during the 22nd annual Daffodil Parade April 16, 1955. The marching group is followed by floats representing the Afifi Patrol and the Tacobat Grotto. Over 200,000 viewers jammed sidewalks, hung from windows and perched on fire escapes to experience the 2 mile long parade. The parade was over 2 hours long from start to finish. In 1955, the parade was also televised by both local Tacoma stations with another estimated 1,000,000 viewers watching from the comfort of their living rooms throughout the Northwest. Overcast skies opened up and pelted the crowd with rain just before the start of the parade, but alternating mist and sunshine were the norm for the duration of the parade. Viewers wore jackets to ward off the spring chill.

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);

Annabelle Joan Breland, daughter of John and Lula C. Breland, and Robert Lee Swanson wedding and reception at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7th Street and Main Avenue, Puyallup. Bride and groom receiving vows at altar in modern church on June 10, 1954.

Weddings--Puyallup--1950-1960; Breland, Annabelle Joan--Marriage; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Immanuel Lutheran Church (Puyallup);

Cooking School at Fellowship Hall conducted by Tacoma Times. Capacity crowd of women seated in auditorium.

Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Audiences--Tacoma; Home economics--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hats--1930-1940; Women--Social life--1930-1940; Fellowship Hall (Tacoma);

Visitors stare wide eyed at the features of the 1955 Tacoma Master Builders model home "Casa Manana," the house of tomorrow. What appears to be a male model or mannequin stands at the upper right hand corner, dangling a cigarette from his mouth. The unveiling of the model home was an important feature of the Home Show. Over 14,500 people were expected to view the 1955 version.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Crowds line up to see the 1955 Tacoma Master Builders model home "Casa Manana," the house of tomorrow. The unveiling of the model home was a key feature of the Tacoma Home Show. Over 14,500 people were expected to view the 1955 model over the six day period. They lined up over one hour before opening time just to view the home. The house was a modern three bedroom tri-level. It was designed by Donald Burr and built by Robert Good. It was located 1 block east of the Lakewood Ice Arena.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Allen - Brewster wedding. Lilly Catherine Allen and Benjamin J. Brewster were married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Allen, on October 7, 1939. The new Mrs. Brewster is pictured above in her gown of white satin and fingertip veil. She wore a large corsage of gardenias and roses. White and yellow 'mums and blue Michaelmas daisies provided an attractive setting for the wedding which was officiated by Rev. L. Edgar Taber and attended by close friends and relatives. The groom, Benjamin Brewster, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brewster. Both bride and groom graduated from Lincoln High School. The Sonya Mae Apartments was the couple's first home. (T.Times 10-10-39, p. 9-article; TNT 10-10-39, p. 8-article; T.Times 10-28-39, p. 4-cropped photograph)

Weddings--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Wedding clothing & dress--1930-1940; Allen, Lilly Catherine--Marriage;

A masked model in a one piece swimsuit stands next to a plywood panel labelled "Sizing Up Mrs. Tacoma". The 1955 Tacoma Home Show had an added feature- a contest to find the perfect Mrs. Tacoma Housewife. Contestants had to be between 18 and 35, married, have at least one child and be Pierce County residents for at least 6 months. They were judged on "housewifely arts," poise, charm and appearance. Finalists were tested on how quickly they could make a bed, how well they could iron a shirt, and the looks and appearance of their best baked goods. Equally important was how well they had "trained" their husbands, judged by how well the males could change a diaper. Although contest organizers repeatedly stated that height and weight did not matter, Mrs. Tacoma would also need to parade in a swimsuit and high heels. The winner was Mrs. Lowell Doud, the wife of a lumberjack.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Beauty contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bathing beauties; Bathing suits;

Launching of the AM 504 with Foss tugboat. The AM 504 was the second of three 171 ft. minesweepers to be launched by Tacoma Boat Building. The ship was expected to be ready for delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting in November of 1955. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. Cmdr. L.L. MacKinley, the Navy's resident supervisor of shipbuilding, would be the guest speaker. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6) TPL-9246

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Launching of the AM 504, the second of three 171 foot minesweepers to be launched at Tacoma Boat Building. The keel was laid on the AM 504 October 25, 1953 and expected delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting was November of 1955. On completion, the ship would be turned over to a foreign nation. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be the sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

J. H. (Jim) Nichols, Judge of poultry show, with the Champion Hen, a White Plymouth Rock, and prize winning White Leghorn chicks. The popular Tacoma Poultry Show ran several days and marked its 34th year in 1937. (T. Times, 12/31/1937, p. 14).

Tacoma Poultry Show (Tacoma); Poultry; Chickens; Animal shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Nichols, J. H.;

Maxine Mayhew holds a Bantam rooster at the 34th Annual Tacoma Poultry Show held in the old Mohr Building, 1141 Broadway, on December 28-31, 1937. Maxine smiles at the small rooster, who appears to be having a "bad hair day." After the show, the traditional poultrymen's banquet, a home-cooked chicken dinner, was held on Saturday, January 1st in the Odd Fellows Hall, 6th and Fawcett.(T. Times, 12/30, p. 3; 12/31/1937, p. 14).

Tacoma Poultry Show (Tacoma); Poultry; Chickens; Animal shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayhew, Maxine; Roosters; Children & animals;

Maxine Mayhew with a Bantam rooster at the 34th Annual Tacoma Poultry Show held in the old Mohr Building. (T. Times, 12/30, p. 3; 12/31/1937, p. 14).

Tacoma Poultry Show (Tacoma); Poultry; Chickens; Animal shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayhew, Maxine; Roosters; Children & animals;

Miss Norma McDermott of Odessa, WA poses with the Black Minorca cock owned by O. R. Winters of Dundee, OR. at the annual Tacoma Poultry Show which opened December 28, 1937. Mr. Winter's big black, Grand Champion the previous two years, was named the champion cock of the show. The poultry show ran from Tuesday through Saturday. On Saturday evening the traditional poultrymen's banquet, a home-cooked chicken dinner, was held at the Odd Fellows Hall at 6th and Fawcett. (T.Times, 12/31/1937, p. 14).

Animal shows--Tacoma; Roosters; McDermott, Norma; Poultry;

1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Spectators watching man attempting to ring bell with large mallet, hammer. Test-your-strength carnival games were very popular among fairgoers.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Carnival games--Puyallup;

Scenes from the 1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Three young women and a young man hold stuffed animal prizes, bulls, at fair booth. Fairgoers could step right up and spend a nickel for a chance to win a prize bull. The smiling fair employee smiles for the camera; the walls of his booth are lined with stuffed bulls and the spinning wheel is ready for all customers.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Stuffed animals (Toys);

This unidentified "fire eater" was just one of the thrilling attractions that drew over 28,000 people to the opening day of the 1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. September 20th was Tacoma Day at the fair; highlights of the day included performances in the Education Hall by the Lincoln High School Choir and the Stadium High School Concert Band.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup);

Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Wide angle view of fairgrounds showing amusement area. Grand Whip ride on left and Auto Shooter building on right. Large crowd, more rides, fair buildings, and Puyallup residential area in background.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup);

1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Wide angle view of fairgrounds showing capacity crowds in the amusement area with wooden buildings in background.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup);

1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Three little girls dressed in look-a-like dresses stand on the fence rail to get a close look at the Durac Jersey. Other children and adults peer through and over the fence to see the animals.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Children--Puyallup--1930-1940;