ca. 1936. This float was entered by the city of Puyallup in the Daffodil Parade in the mid to late 1930s. Daffodils and crepe paper streamers cover the truck where uniformed Girl Scouts ride on the bed. The girls hold an American flag and a second flag, possibly the Washington state flag.

ca. 1938. This float was entered by the city of Sumner in a mid to late 1930's Daffodil Parade. The driver's head can be seen at the center of the float. In the back, two girls in Dutch costumes ride in chairs.

1941 Daffodil Queen. Posing with a large bouquet of daffodils and wearing a headpiece composed of the flowers is 18-year-old Pauline Martin of Sumner who was the 1941 Daffodil Festival Queen. "Queen Pauline I" was crowned on March 22, 1941, in Puyallup by J. Arthur Thompson, president of that year's festival. Governor Arthur Langlie was in attendance as well as Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, who served as toastmaster. Queen Pauline and her two attendants, Maxene Maddex of Lincoln High School and Doris Simonsen of Puyallup, would ride in the March 29th Daffodil Festival Parade. (TNT 3-21-41, p. 1)

Bellingham Elks on parade. Bellingham Lodge #194 sent a large contingent, including former state president H.H. Griggs, to the 14th annual Elks statewide convention held in Tacoma in mid-August, 1918. They participated in the Grand Parade held on Friday afternoon, August 16th. With thousands of Elks and several bands participating, the News Tribune stated that it was the largest fraternal parade ever held in Tacoma. Many of the lodges carried service flags indicating the large numbers of their members now fighting in the Great War. The parade marched downtown past the Tacoma Elks Lodge No. 174 on Broadway. TPL-7168 (TNT 8-16-18, p. 1) G20.1-028

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Bellingham Lodge No. 194 (Bellingham); Marching bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;

An impressive parade took place in Tacoma on the first Memorial Day following the end of the Great War, May 30, 1919. Veterans from the Civil, Spanish American and Great War (WWI) were represented with local Boy Scouts marching as the fourth generation. Bringing up the rear of the parade was the pictured decorated automobile entered by the War Camp Community Service. It was covered with frilled crepe paper and topped with a parasol. The War Camp Community Service was formed in 1917 at the request of the War Department. Its primary responsibility was to organize recreational and social activities in communities where servicemen and women might spend off duty time. G20.1-029 (TDL 5/31/1919, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920; Memorial Day; Commemoration--Tacoma; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; War Camp Community Service (Tacoma);

At 10 a.m. on a clear July 4th morning in 1919, the most elaborate Independence Day parade in years got underway. Thousands watched the 45 minute spectacle, part of the Northwest Peace Jubilee celebration. In the fourth division, industrial, was this pictured float entered by the Walker Cut Stone Co. of Tacoma. A General Motors 5 ton chassis carried a 6 1/2 block of carved Wilkeson Sandstone. The stone was elaborately carved and designed for the "Temple of Justice" in Olympia, Wa. The float banner stated that 142 carloads were used in the construction of the Temple, at Cherry Lane and 12th Ave. in Olympia, which houses the State Supreme Court. The structure was completed in 1920. The GMC truck was loaned by Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. to Bob Walker, at the wheel of the vehicle. Wilkeson Sandstone is named for the small mountain town of Wilkeson, in the Cascade range, where it is quarried. The 1919 City Directory lists A.J. Griesemer as President, Robert Walker as Sec-treas., and 1008 Puyallup Ave as the location of the office and yard of Walker Cut Stone. (TDL 7/5/1919, pg. 1; TDL 7/13/1919, pg. 6C- picture) G33.1-114, TPL-2244

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920; Walker Cut Stone Co. (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1910-1920; General Motors trucks;

Waiting for the "Ship by Truck" parade to begin on August 16, 1919, was this float composed of a (now rare) Cole Eight automobile being carried on a Bethlehem truck. The truck was furnished by Wever Motor Car Co., 725 Broadway, and had a large flag draped over its hood. Wever Motor also sold new Coles. Tacoma truck dealers would be participating in the nationwide campaign fathered by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. called "Ship by Truck," promoting the various uses of motor trucks in shipping and hauling. A grand parade involving some 500 trucks was held on Saturday, August 16th. Nearly every truck offered for sale in Tacoma was represented in the parade that traveled through Tacoma's business streets. G11.1-007 (TDL 8-14-19, p. 2-article; TDL 8-15-19, p. 2-article)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920; Cole automobile; Bethlehem truck;

A group of young ladies "pop" out of a large "egg" as they await entry into the Western Washington Fair on September 18, 1930. The similarly dressed women are representing the Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association. The "egg," being hauled by a heavy duty truck, is a symbol of the Co-op's claim of their eggs being "Bigger & Better." TPL-523; G6.1-102

Floats (Parades); Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma);

Charles Evans, as Leif Eriksson, commanded a boatful of stern looking Norsemen, armed with swords and shields, who were "Bound for Wineland" on May 17, 1895. Tacoma's Scandinavians celebrated the 81st anniversary of Norwegian Constitution Day with a small parade, outdoor concerts and picnic games. Fireworks and dancing capped the activity-filled day. This photograph was probably taken between So. 13th and So. 15th on Tacoma Avenue. (Tacoma Morning Union, 5-18-1895, p. 4)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1890-1900; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma;

Pacific Avenue appears rather empty on the morning of May 19, 1912, except for the parishioners of St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church who were celebrating the dedication of their new church with a parade in downtown Tacoma. Two small girls are pictured in the foreground in a small buggy pulled by one horse as they pass the McCormack Bros. store. The new church, the first Slovak Catholic church built in the Northwest, was located at South 34th and Tacoma Avenue South. It was dedicated at 10 o'clock a.m. with Bishop Edward J. O'Dea conducting the service. Church members provided the labor necessary to build the 92 x 46-feet brick veneer building. The church and building site was paid for entirely by Slavonians, the congregation and/or other Slavonians in the community. (TDL 5-19-12, p. 33-article)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920; St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church (Tacoma); Church dedications--Tacoma;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Traveling from Seattle for the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade was that city's fire department entry, an antique fire engine. This was originally an 1898 horse-drawn pumper. It was motorized in 1914 and then rebuilt in 1964 by off-duty Seattle Fire Department employees at their own expense. The fire pump had a capacity of 750 gallons per minute.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment; Fire fighters;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Spectators oohed and ahhed at the sight of these antique automobiles during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. Both the Tacoma chapter of the Model "T" Club and members of the Galloping Gertie Model "A" Club drove their basic-black vehicles sedately down Pacific Avenue. This group is believed to be the Model "T" Club. Even the drivers and passengers were dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing to the added enjoyment of thousands of parade viewers.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Ford automobile;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Purchased by the City of Tacoma in 1890, this horse-drawn patrol wagon was used for 18 years by the city's police force. It has been restored as close as possible to its original form. Overall length of the paddy wagon was 23 feet. On board during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade were Tacoma's own Keystone Kops. (TNT 6-29-69, p. 1)

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Tacoma City Light's "Progress of Power" float won the Sweepstakes Award for the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. It depicted the power generation from 1893 to the 21st century. At the float's center is a model of the Mossyrock Dam which was dedicated in May of 1969. The rear of the float had a representation of City Light's first generation facility built in Gallagher's Gulch in 1884. Leading the float (not pictured) was Graydon Bailey. Centennial Belles on board were Arlene Klein, Sharon Jenkins, Marion Plaquet, Jean Callison, Wilma Kowalchuk and Elizabeth Sand. John Purvis and John Canonica escorted the float.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. Waving to the crowd are the 1970 Daffodil Queen, Shelley Grobey of Mount Tahoma High school, and four royal princesses: Sue Briehl of Bethel, Diane Schlumpf of Orting, Correen Orton of Sumner and Kay Riippi of Lincoln High School. They are seated on the Tacoma City Light entry, "Circus Centennial," in keeping with the festival's theme of "Greatest Show on Earth." Queen Shelley is seated just before the mouth of a giantic daffodil tiger. The 42-foot float adorned with 45,000 white and yellow daffodils, was created by Graydon Bailey, a City Light lineman. This float ran very quietly as it was an all-electric, battery-powered float. The 75-piece Mount Tahoma marching band and 55-member drill team, following the Queen's float, had the honor of the first high school entry in the parade. (TNT 4-12-70, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Grobey, Shelley; Briehl, Sue; Schlumpf, Diane; Orton, Correen; Riippi, Kay; Marching bands; Drill teams;

1970 Daffodil Parade. Closer view of the float entered by the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival as it proceeds down Pacific Avenue during the April 11, 1970, Daffodil Festival Parade. The lovely float is decorated with sprays of pink and gold blooms. Pink Grecian columns in front have flowers cascading; other pillars curve gently around the seated princesses. Acknowledging the throngs gathered along Pacific Avenue were Queen Kim Horan and princesses Jane Drake and Gail Burgener. This entry was one of 31 floats participating in the parade. (TNT 4-12-70, B-2, B-6)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Horan, Kim; Drake, Jane; Burgener, Gail;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. The theme for the 37th annual Daffodil Festival Parade was "The Greatest Show on Earth." With its troupe of accompanying clowns, the Bethel Boosters prize-winning 34-foot long float, "Trapeze," certainly was emblematic of the day. 30,000 yellow and purple daffodils provided a fitting background for Bethel High School senior Sue Swenson and her attendants, Helen Adams, Debbi Daffer, Janet Ingle and Linda Seanard, who merrily swung on trapezes. The float, one of 31 entered in the parade, was awarded the Queen's Award for best portrayal of the festival's theme. (TNT 4-11-70- article; TNT 4-12-70, B-3)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Swenson, Sue; Adams, Helen; Daffer, Debbi; Ingle, Janet; Seanard, Linda; Clowns;

1970 Daffodil Festival Parade. Hoping to excite the throngs gathered to view the 1970 Daffodil Parade as it passes by the bus depot on Pacific Avenue, some members of the 40-piece Woodrow Wilson High School drill team raise their arms in a cheer and salute. Led by captain Sharon Tinsman, the colorfully dressed girls are preceding the school's 82-piece band. No rain clouds threatened the enjoyment of the parade that year as brilliant sunshine was present throughout the parade's three city tour.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Marching bands; Drill teams;

1972 Daffodil Parade. Police units from both the Tacoma Police Department and Pierce County Sheriff were an integral part of the annual Daffodil Parade. Proceeding down wet Pacific Avenue on April 8, 1972, was believed to be a contingent from the Tacoma Police Department. The motorcycle officers were in "V" formation.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Police--Tacoma--1970-1980; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1973 Daffodil Festival Parade. The theme of the 40th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade was "Happiness Is." This unidentified float, one of 27 in the parade, adds to the theme with "To the Stars." The float is colorfully decorated in golden daffodils including several large stars and a mixture of blue and white flowers, possibly signifying the sky and clouds. Children dressed in multi-colored shawls and pretty dresses wave to the crowds lining Pacific Avenue.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1974 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Afifi Temple had an appropriate float for the April 6, 1974, Daffodil Festival Grand Parade whose theme was "What the World Needs Now..." The country was suffering from a shortage of gasoline so the Afifi entry which had paused on its route down Pacific Avenue to "fill" up a clown's tiny cycle, probably spoke volumes to the parade spectators. A daffodil "oil derrick" is displayed behind a flower-bedecked tent. Several persons dressed in colorful "Middle Eastern" garb monitor the distribution of oil and gas. Fresh palm branches were imported and placed among the 35,000 daffodils. The clever Afifi Temple float captured the Grand Award, runner-up to the FTD Sweepstakes.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1974 Daffodil Parade. "Fun and Laughter" certainly exemplified the Bates Vocational-Technical Institute's entry in the 1974 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade. Raggedy Ann and Andy rode on top of the golden daffodil-covered float along with a giant Jack-in-the-box, brightly colored blocks and a small carousel. Two clowns, one on a unicycle, and four marching "blocks" completed the entertaining float. With an artful use of 40,000 daffodils, the Bates float captured the FTD Sweepstakes Award for the best in show.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clowns;

1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The sight of the big Tacoma fire engines generally meant the conclusion of the Grand Floral Parade. Crowds are starting to disperse on Saturday, April 10, 1976, along Pacific Avenue. People had been lined up up to a dozen deep as crowds thought to be the biggest in several years watched the 33 floats, 47 marching bands, 13 mounted units and 20 "special" units go by. For the first time in the 43-year history of the festival, the Grand Floral Parade had no turns or hills as the parade began at Old City Hall, 7th & Pacific, and flowed southward on Pacific to 24th St. There were no sharp curves to negotiate. (TNT 3-12-76, A-3-article)

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

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Little Wheels Quarter Midget Association's entry in the April 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade was entitled "A First for Puget Sound." Tacoma would be the location of the 1977 Grand Nationals championship to be held August 8-20th. Three hopefuls for the competition are in their vehicles aboard the daffodil-covered float. The Little Wheels of Tacoma would be awarded the Princess Trophy for best float under 30'. (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. Marching briskly down Pacific Avenue in chilly 46 degree weather was this band and drill unit believed to be representing the Nanaimo branch of the Naval Sea Cadets. American and Canadian flags are borne by two marchers in the foreground while an assorted number of flagbearers with Canadian provincial flags follow the brass-and-drum band.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Marching bands; Flags--United States; Flags--Canada;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Mayor and Mrs. Gordon Johnston, in a white and yellow '57 Ford Sunliner convertible, acknowledge the parade watchers on April 16, 1977. Following them is County Commissioner Clay Huntington and guests in a red and white '55 Chevy Bel Air. Although the weather was a brisk 46 degrees, rain held off and sunshine broke through during the two hour parade. 36 floats, 26 bands, 7 drill teams and 21 special units participated in the 44th annual festival.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Ford automobile; Chevrolet automobile;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Olympic Arabian Pleasure Horse Club members and their nine pure or one-half Arabian horses moved majestically down Pacific Avenue during the 1978 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. The riders hail from the Bremerton area. They wear attractive costumes that are handmade. The Olympic Arabian Pleasure Horse Club would win third place in the Mounted Units category. They were one of the 13 horse units entered in the parade.

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

1971 Daffodil Parade. Rather than racing, these two charioteers move in step down the Tacoma parade route of the 1971 Daffodil Festival Parade. Both chariots are adorned with bright yellow daffodils and are being pulled by teams of brown and grayish horses.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Chariots--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma;

1971 Daffodil Parade. Mayor Gordon N. Johnston and wife Esther wave to the throngs alongside Pacific Avenue on April 3, 1971, at the start of the annual Daffodil Festival Parade. Behind them in another antique automobile is Basil Anton and wife; Mr. Anton is the president of the Festival. Paradegoers were fortunate to have blue skies and plenty of sunshine for this springtime parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1971 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Johnston, Esther; Anton, Basil; Anton, Basil--Family; Automobiles--Tacoma;

1972 Daffodil Parade. "Lady of the Lake" was the name of the Olympia Capital Lakefair float in the 1972 Grand Floral Parade. This rosy entry captured second place in the "Communities and cities over 5,000 population" division.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;