The First Annual Tacoma "Bike Meet" was held on Friday August 5, 1938. Hundreds of young Tacomans decorated their bicycles to participate in the parade that started downtown and ended at the Stadium Bowl. After the parade, there were competitive races held on the Bowl track. A Tacoma boy dressed like the comic strip character "Major Hoople," in baggy pants and a stuffed shirt, tips his hat as he stands astride his scooter "Leapin Lena." A young boy, in black mask and hat as the Lone Ranger, sits on a rocking horse, a banner with "Hi Ho Silver" on it, flies behind him. The boy on the right has a new take on "paper boy," his clothes are made out of the Tacoma Times. By the end of the day, three lucky Tacoma youngsters had won new bicycles as prizes.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Children riding bicycles & tricycles--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

The second annual Tacoma Yacht Club Daffodil Festival Regatta. Several wooden power motored yachts, including the "Blanche D," gather on Puget Sound. The day of the regatta, April 3rd 1938, proved to be an exciting one. It opened with a morning fire on one of the yachts, continued on with a collision during the power boat race and ended with a small cabin cruiser capsizing, spilling 5 people into the frigid Puget Sound. They were rescued by a Foss tug. (T. Times 4/4/1938, pg. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Regattas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

Western Washington Fair grandstand. During the 1938 Tacoma Day at the fair, 49,690 people walked through the gates. Fifteen thousand people packed the grandstand to the point of sitting on the concrete stairs for shows and races. (T. Times, 9/22/38, p. 1)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Grandstands--Puyallup; Spectators--Puyallup;

Fifteen hundred cheering horse race enthusiasts packed the grandstands at the 39th Western Washington Fair on September 21, 1938. There were six races held daily throughout the run of the Puyallup Fair. The 21st was Tacoma Day. By 1 p.m. over 20,000 fair goers had passed through the turnstiles. The official attendance tally for the day was 49,690.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Racetracks (Horse racing)--Puyallup; Horse racing--Puyallup; Jockeys; Horses; Grandstands--Puyallup;

ca. 1938. Italian Dinner Banquet. The large dining room is filled with people at tables eating spaghetti.

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1927. Betsy Ross group. Many young women in decorated banquet hall, some wearing period costume, some in sailor type suits. (filed with Argentum)

Banquets--1920-1930; Betsy Ross Club (Tacoma);

G. L. Cornforth, left, of the Tacoma Racing Pigeon Club, holds the best hen and J. V. Fordan, right, the best cock racing pigeon. The two birds are the winners at the 44th Annual All-Northwest Winter Poultry Show held the Henry Mohr Hardware building, 1141-43 Broadway. This is the first time racing pigeons have been shown. Competitors come from Washington, Oregon and California. (T. Times, 12/14/38, p. 3)

Animal shows--Tacoma; Poultry; Tacoma Racing Pigeon Club (Tacoma); Pigeons;

International flavor Military Reserve Officers Ball, sponsored by the Tacoma chapter of the Reserve Officers Association February 18, 1939 at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom. Army, Navy and Marine officers from Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and nearby cities, as well as officers of the famed Seaforth Highlanders of British Columbia, dance with their partners under row of flags representing the two countries and their various regiments. Over 500 persons were expected to attend the dance. Canada was represented by officers of the Irish Fusiliers and British Columbia Hussars, as well as the Highlanders in their bright plaids. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Navy Ball held July 6, 1938 during Fleet Week in the Crystal Ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. Rear Admiral A. E. Watson, left, and Navy Captain wearing military tuxedo with gold braid draped on left shoulder. (T. Times, 7/9/1938, p. 9).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military officers--1930-1940; Watson, A.E.; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

International-style Military Ball held February 18, 1939 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. Military officers and wives or guests converse under the guard of three men in uniform, perhaps the Color Guard. Elaborate wallcoverings in background. Over 500 persons attended the ball hosted by the Tacoma chapter of the Reserve Officers Association. The officers represented every military branch in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia and surrounding cities. Guests from Canada included 55 officers from the famed Seaforth Highlanders as well as the Irish Fusiliers and the British Columbia Hussars. The color guard was drawn from Ft. Lewis and the National Guard. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p.1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military uniforms;

While ashore during Fleet Week, July 5th-11th, 1938, two unidentified Marines seem to have lost their hats, if not their heads as well, over two young Misses, also unidentified. During Fleet Week, the military landed with force in Tacoma, bringing four battleships and their 5200 officers and men into the city. The week long celebration included parties, a parade, tours of the ships and nightly searchlight drills. TPL-9149

Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marines (Military personnel);

Narrows Bridge celebration at the Stadium Bowl. Bremerton Mayor Jesse A. Knabb, center, and two other men take part in the festivities surrounding a $2,700,000 Progress Works Administration grant to build a bridge across the Narrows. A crowd of over 5,000 attended the celebration. (T. Times 7/1/1938, pg. 1).

Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Narrows Bridge Celebration (Tacoma); Knabb, Jesse A.; Mayors--Bremerton--1930-1940;

During Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair. Boy Scouts perform a first aid exercise in the infield of the grandstand . (T. Times 9/22/1938, p. 1)

Events - Fairs - Washington State - Puyallup - Western Washington Fair Organizations - Youth Organizations - Boy Scouts of America

Lois Jo Strong, 2nd from right, Wenatchee's 19th Apple Blossom Festival queen, and her two princesses. Susan Hilt and Doris Ames, visit with Bliss Lundrigan, 2nd from left, Daffodil Festival queen. (T.Times, 4/13/1938, p. 10.).

Events - Festivals - Washington State - Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival, Daffodil Festival - Queens and Princesses

Mike Shea marathon. 1937's winner of the Cooks & Waiters annual "bunion derby" -a 4.6 mile high-paced walk from Tacoma to Fife's Century Ballroom- covered the distance in 57 minutes. Mike Shea (left in photograph) felt that the distance was too short to test a man's walking ability. Whitey Flemish disagreed and bet that Mike could not walk the same distance in an hour. Whitey felt confident as the Cooks & Waiters winner was a younger man and presumably fitter. The bet was on and Mike started his heeling-and-toeing from the Olympus Hotel at 12:30 a.m. on February 16, 1938. 20 carloads of fans followed Mike who was paced by policeman Bill Turner (believed to be at right above). Mike won the $10 bet as he completed the feat in 59 minutes, 38 seconds. (T.Times 2-15-38, p. 11-article; T.Times 2-16-38, p. 11-article)

Events--Fife--1930-1940; Men--Social life--1930-1940; City & town life--Fife--1930-1940; Shea, Mike; Walking races; Marathons;

Children shout and wave as contestants compete in the first annual Times Bicycle Contest. The event began at Jefferson Park at No. Ninth St. and Monroe St. with District No. 1 primaries. Three primaries concluded with an All-City meet at Stadium Bowl. (T.Times, 7/29/1938, p.16)

Events--Tacoma; Bicycles & tricycles--Tacoma; Jefferson Park (Tacoma);

Two men in three piece suits seriously discussed the outcome of the shuffleboard game on the first day of Spring, 1938, in Wright Park. Another man kept score with chalk on a rough wooden surface behind them. (T.Times, 3/21/1938, p.1).

Events--Tacoma; Spring--Tacoma; Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wright Park (Tacoma); Shuffleboard;

On July 21, 1938, Cub Scout Thomas Gallagher, from Troop 72, handed an advertising flier for the 12th annual Dash Point Dock Dinner and Dance to Andrew Anderson and his wife as they drove through Northeast Tacoma. The other Cub Scouts were, left to right: Tommy Thompson, Jerry Lerum and Benny Gallagher. The dinner was to be held at the Dash Point Dock on Saturday July 23rd. The program began at 2 pm with contests in swimming, diving and greased pole walking. At 9 pm a dance was held at the Dash Point Community Hall, with music provided by the Walter Rostedt Orchestra. The boys were on the staff of the Crestview Cub Reporter, which was published twice a month by Troop 72. (T.Times 7/21/1938, p. 3).

Festivals--Dash Point; Dance parties--Dash Point; Publicity--1930-1940; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cub Scouts, Troop 72 (Dash Point); Gallagher, Thomas; Anderson, Andrew; Thompson, Tommy; Lerum, Jerry; Gallagher, Benny;

The Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance on April 24, 1938. The New Ambassador, Commodore, and Westland were among the pleasure boats, fishing craft, power and sail boats competing in the annual event. Races were held in each classification of vessel. Although the day remained cloudy, it never rained on the crowd of 25,000 spectators. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p. 1).

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma;

Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. On April 24, 1938, the first water carnival was held as a farewell ceremony for the Tacoma built fishing vessel "Western Explorer," pictured center with flags. The event was planned by the Y.M.B.C. to promote Tacoma's shipbuilding industry, but it was so immensely popular that it became an annual event. Part of the day's activities were races, including the pictured tugboat race. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p. 1). TPL-9809

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma; Yachts--Tacoma;

Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Old boat house (1903) on right and crowds of people on platforms and piers. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p.1).

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Point Defiance Boat House (Tacoma);

Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Looking up to boathouse and boat storage area from water at crowd of people. Small row boats moored along the floating dock. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p.1).

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Point Defiance Boat House (Tacoma);

1938 Daffodil Parade. A colonial and native Americans populate a float entered in the parade by the Improved Order of Redmen stating "We organized the Boston Tea Party in 1773." The float is attributed to "The oldest American organization in the United States." The Order of Redmen is indeed one of America's oldest fraternal organizations not imported from another country. It is also chartered by Congress. The group was founded in 1765 as the Sons of Liberty. It was a secret society dedicated to throwing off the bonds of English tyranny. After the revolution, it assumed its current name. The group is devoted to inspiring a greater love of the United States of America and the principles of American liberty.

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

1938 Daffodil Parade. Participants on a float attributed to "The oldest American organization in the United States;" the Improved Order of Redmen. A colonial, representing the group's prerevolutionary background, shakes hands with a Native American, whose culture became the backbone of the society's organization and terminology.

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Improved Order of Redmen (Tacoma);

Daffodil Pageant. Seven Rainbow Girls dressed in costumes to represent the seven colors of the rainbow stand beside their float. Henderson Machine Works and the Modern Apartments appear in the background. (T.Times, 4/2/1938, p.1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Tacoma); Rainbow Girls (Tacoma);

One of the strangest social events of the 1920's & 1930's was the "Tom Thumb wedding," a mock wedding of a child couple impersonating the 1863 wedding of P.T. Barnum's famous midget couple, Charles Stratton (exhibited as Gen. Tom Thumb) and his miniature bride, Lavinia Warren. The pictured double Tom Thumb wedding was held April 16, 1937 at the St. Paul Methodist Church as a fund raiser, with proceeds going to the missionary society. The participants were, left to right, Harrison Killian (best man), Curtis Killian (Tom Thumb, groom), Shirley Clark (Jennie June, bride), Eddie Goodenough (minister), Buddy Cross (best man), Billy Goettling (Fred Finger, groom) and Barbara Ann Bowen (Nellie May, bride.) All of the children, with the exception of Goodenough, were four years old. Eddie Goodenough was the son of Rev. Frank Goodenough. In all, over 100 children, ages 4-11, took part in the pageant, impersonating wedding members and guests, including Pres. & Mrs. Roosevelt, movie stars and local city officials and personalities. ( T. Times 4/16/1937, pg. 8- picture & article)

Children playing adults; Weddings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940; Wedding clothing & dress--1930-1940; Grooms (Weddings)--1930-1940;

Alexander S. Melovidoff was the founder and president of the Tacoma Conservatory of Music. For many years he conducted a summer band concert series at Point Defiance Park. This picture shows Mr. Melovidoff and his All-Tacoma Band as they appeared in 1947. Their first concert in the park that year was on June 29th. They played 15 numbers. (T.Times, 6/26/1947, p.13)

Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; All-Tacoma Band (Tacoma); Cornets; Trombones; Tubas; Brass instruments; Saxophones; Wind instruments; Drums; Conductors; Melovidoff, Alexander S., 1897-1961;

Tacoma's Community Chest Parade officially kicked off the 1947 fund raising campaign. Thousands of people gathered on Pacific Avenue to enjoy one of the most colorful parades in Tacoma history. Tacoma businesses, organizations and community members gathered together in the hopes of making it a successful campaign. View of Tacoma's Junior Chamber of Commerce promoting "Keeping Tacoma Clean", as they march along Pacific Ave. and So. 9th. (T. Times, 10/4/47, p.1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Coffee Cup Restaurant (Tacoma);

First Aid Booth at Puyallup Fair, American Red Cross, Mrs. Thomson. 8" x 8". A young girl is crying while she looks at a young boy lying under blankets on a stretcher at the first aid booth at the fair. The boy's cowboy hat lies on top of him. Two boy scouts and two emergency medical aid men look after the boy.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); First aid--Puyallup; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Ambulances--Puyallup--1940-1950; Boy Scouts (Puyallup); Health care personnel; Children--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Bellarmine's annual Bazaar was a day filled with a variety of activities, including a theatrical production and an evening semi formal dance. The event was sponsored by the Philomathea Club. View of Bellarmine High School students and their guests, it appears they are standing behind the stage back drop, the girls are wearing ball dresses and the boys are wearing tuxedoes.

Events--Tacoma; Bazaars--Tacoma; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Bouquets; Tuxedoes; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;