1976 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Des Moines community's 53-foot Waterland Festival float was decorated in our country's national colors and boasted a 20-piece stage band. Also aboard were four members of the Queen's court. It was one of the 33 floats entered in the 43rd annual Daffodil Festival Grand Floral parade and was awarded third 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. The theme of the 43rd annual Grand Floral Parade was "America's 200 Years." Tacoma City Light traditionally built the non-competitive Queen's float for the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. Aboard the "Mayflower" on Saturday, April 10, 1976, was Daffodil Queen Renee Hopp of Rogers High School and her royal court escorted in the bright sunshine by yellow-clad Daffodilians. The 42-foot float was one-third the actual size of the original ship and was decorated with 10,000 yellow, short-stemmed daffodils. Since the ship's sails were folded, crowds lining the route could better see the parade's royalty. (TNT 4-10-1976, A-3-article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1976 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hopp, Renee; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

A striking worker holds a sign reading, "LOCKED OUT Retail Store Employees Local 367."

Teamster union members walked off the production lines at Nalley’s Fine Foods and set up picket lines while in a contract dispute with the Tacoma processing firm. Photo member by staff Russ Carmack.

Back of Photo:
Demonstrations

A group of demonstrators hold signs reading, "Equality for all!" "Whose inalienable rights," and "No trespassing on any individual's human rights."

1977 Tacoma Home Show. A visitor to the 1977 Tacoma Home Show, held at the Tacoma Mall, pauses to speak to Brookdale Homes employees at their wood paneled exhibition booth. Orville H. Torgeson was the president of the company, located at 13602 Pacific Ave. South in Parkland.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Brookdale Homes (Parkland);

1977 Tacoma Home Show. "Because life is precious," RSI Security & Fire Systems advertised a number of life saving equipment at the 1977 Tacoma Home Show. A smiling representative of the firm sits behind a red-curtained table awaiting interested passersby. "Life Ladders," smoke alarms, security lighting and cameras were all on display.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Security systems--Tacoma; Safety equipment;

1977 Tacoma Home Show. Once again, the annual Tacoma Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall where visitors could stroll comfortably under cover to view the latest ideas for remodelers, redecorators, home builders and landscapers. Among the many exhibits was the well-known Atlas Van Lines hydroplane U-76, whose appearance was sponsored by Ed's Moving & Storage, 1632 E. 26th. Ed's Moving & Storage was an agent for Atlas Van Lines. A scale model of the hydroplane would be given away in a free drawing. The U-76 was piloted and owned by Bill Muncey. (TNT 3-21-77, Tacoma Home Show insert-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hydroplanes--Tacoma; Ed's Moving & Storage (Tacoma); Atlas Van Lines (Tacoma);

Carol Glenn of Bethel High School was crowned the 1977 Daffodil Festival Queen in ceremonies held at Pacific Lutheran University on March 9, 1977. Miss Glenn, a senior, was the first top royalty selected from her school and the first African-American to receive that honor. There were a total of 18 princesses, each representing a public school in Pierce County. Miss Glenn, the daughter of retired Staff Sergeant and Mrs. Robert Glenn of Spanaway, was one of nine children. She planned to use the $1000 college scholarship awarded to the queen to further her studies at Pacific Lutheran University. (TNT 3-10-77, A-1, 3)

Glenn, Carol; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); African American women--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Mayor Gordon Johnston and Pierce County Commissioner Clay Huntington jointly do the honors in opening the 1977 Tacoma Home Show held at the Tacoma Mall. At the far left is Gordon Rockwell, show chairman. Each year thousands of spectators would peruse the various exhibits demonstrating the latest trends in home decor. This was the 31st annual home show. (TNT 3-22-77, B-15-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Rockwell, Gordon;

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;

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;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Commodores, pirates, clowns and royalty all sailed majestically down Pacific Avenue during the April 16, 1977, Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. The blue and white float decorated with yellow daffodils was crowded with participants representing SeaFair. It would go on to win first place in the "Other Festivals" category. (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. Waving to the crowd are three young ladies in white; they are aboard the Portland Rose Festival float entitled "Roses & Daffodils & Friendship." The white & yellow & red float extends an old-fashioned greeting card invitation to the Rose Festival on June 2-13th. It would win second place in the Communities over 5000 category. (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. "A Salute to King Alfred" was the Reno Rodeo Festival float, sponsored by Del Webb's Primadonna Casino, entered in the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade. The white-framed Victorian garden was decorated with golden King Alfred daffodils. Five white clad women in soft summer hats, all former Daffodil queens, waved to the spectators lined up along Pacific Avenue. They were listed as: Renee Hopp (1976), Wendy Van Noy (1975), Lori Weber Durr (1974), Sherri Murrey (1973), and Jean Fink Jones (1971). (TNT 4-17-77, A-1 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Puget Sound USA" was the L.H. Bates Vocational Technical Institute's entry in the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. Sea gulls and a whale swimming in a blue ocean of flowers along with a lighthouse made of golden daffodils are symbols of this part of Washington. 25,000 daffodils were used on Bates' float which was awarded the President's Trophy for animation.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. County Commissioner and Mrs. Joe Stortini greet parade watchers on April 16, 1977. They are riding in a blue-and-white 1955 Ford Fairlane convertible. Mr. Stortini had been a state legislator and longtime football coach at Mount Tahoma. In November of 1976, Mr. Stortini defeated Republican Robert Odman in the race for Pierce County Commissioner; Mr. Stortini had previously beaten incumbent George Sheridan in the primary.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Stortini, Joe; Ford automobile;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "The 'Cord' That Ties Puget Sound To The World." McChord AFB's entry in the 1977 Grand Floral parade was bedecked with golden daffodils and mementos of familiar Washington sights including the Space Needle, St. Joseph Hospital and the Capitol Bldg. Two airmen stood at the rear of the 42-foot long float just in front of a flowered globe and American flag. Two model airplanes "flew" nearby. 60,000 daffodils were used in the creation of this award-winning float which captured the Judges' Trophy for originality. (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. One of the smaller floats participating in the 44th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival was the entry from KTAC radio - a golf cart. Covered with golden daffodils, the cart held several men, probably employees of the radio station. It pulled a flower-bedecked unit containing a miniature van. KTAC was number 85 on the dial.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Purple was much in evidence in the entry from the Spokane Lilac Association. Association members wearing deep purple jackets accompanied the float which was decorated with yellow daffodils, trees and lilac-tinted blossoms. Three members of the royal court happily greet parade spectators.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. The vessel "Eckankar" sailed down Pacific Avenue during the 1977 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade on April 16, 1977. Sponsored by the Tacoma Satsang Society, the float won second place in the Clubs & Organizations category.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Wenatchee Salutes Puget Sound USA" was the entry from the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival. Queen Debbie Crump and two princesses, wearing red apple prints, acknowledge the parade spectators. They are accompanied by several marching Apple Blossom Festival officials. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Crump, Debbie;

1977 Daffodil Festival Parade. Riding on the back of a killer whale float and accompanied by princesses Mary Riggleman and Karon DiLoreto is Carol Glenn, 1977 Daffodil Queen from Bethel High School. Miss Glenn was the first queen chosen from her school and the first African-American to receive the honor. Her "Whale of a Float" was designed by Tacoma City Light and was decorated with 13,000 daffodils. (TNT 4-16-77, A-3 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1977 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Glenn, Carol; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980; African American women--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Princesses in native dress representing various Scandinavian countries and a young "Miss USA" posed for a studio portrait in mid-September of 1977. Seated are: (L-R) Miss Finland Paivi Johanna Jarvio, Miss USA Julie Septon and Miss Iceland Karen Reep. Standing are : (L-R) Miss Denmark Cindy Stahl, Miss Norway Kris Zetterburg and Miss Sweden Kirstin Mueller. They would be participating in the annual Scandinavian Days festival sponsored by the Leif Erickson Committee. Each fall exhibits and food associated with Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden would be on display for five days in downtown Tacoma. In addition, traditional honoring of the oldest Scandinavian immigrants living in the Tacoma area would occur. Photograph ordered by the Leif Erickson Committee. (TNT 9-26-77, A-1, B-13 article)

Festivals--Tacoma--1970-1980; Costumes; Jarvio, Paivi Johanna; Septon, Julie; Stahl, Cindy; Zetterburg, Kris; Mueller, Kirstin; Reep, Karen;

A striking worker sits in the back of a pick up truck parked in front of the G.W. Paulson flooring business storefront. A mannequin wearing a hardhat holds a sign reading, "On strike against G.W. Paulson."

Back of Photo:
Demonstrations

Around 40 Iranian students marched nine miles through Tacoma, bringing attention to the revolution occurring inside Iran. They were protesting the Iranian state and the shah. Demonstrators, wearing masks, carry banners and signs reading, "Down with the Shah- the puppet of US Imperialism," "Stop and Shah's Bloodbath," and "Independence and democracy for Iran." Staff photo by Bob Rudsit.