Make way for the Buckingham Apartments version of the 1937 Daffodil Parade! Eight children from the apartment building at 1001 North Yakima Avenue donned costumes and held their own parade on April 8, with dandelions filling in for daffodils. Sharon Lloyd Detlofsen leads off the parade on a tricycle, followed by drum major Roberta Powell, Robert Hagstrom, Queen Marilyn Powell, Delores Detlofsen on her scooter, Press agent Jacqueline Brown, Cowboy Bruce Bowman and clown Roy Howell. Sonny Gange, left on grass, provided what every parade needs, an enthusiastic spectator. (T. Times 4/9/1937, pg. 18-article & alternate photograph)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bowman, Bruce; Detlofsen, Dolores; Detlofsen, Sharon Lloyd; Gange, Sonny; Powell, Marilyn; Brown, Jacqueline; Powell, Marilyn; Howell, Roy; Buckingham Apartments (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Safety Council's "Horror Parade," also called the Safety Show parade. The parade was intended as a macabre reminder of the fruits of careless and reckless driving. The first prize winner was this wrecked automobile in tow with a person portraying an accident victim laying across seat with a sign saying, "Oh Why ! Didn't I Get My Brakes Repaired Yesterday?" (T. Times 2/26/1937, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Safety Council (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Safety Council "Safety Show Parade", also called the "Horror Parade," wound through the streets of Tacoma on Saturday, February 27, 1937. The float sponsored by the Tacoma General Hospital featured two nurses attending a man in traction on the back of a flatbed truck. This group of children watched the parade from the sidewalk across the street from an unidentified Tacoma school. The parade travelled through the major streets of Tacoma for two hours warning parade viewers about the horrors of reckless driving. Another float in the parade showed a body hanging out of the passenger side of a badly damaged car. (T. Times 2/26/1937, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Safety Council (Tacoma); Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

The second annual Tacoma Fairyland and Christmas Parade was held on November 29, 1935. This tall Mother Goose figure with her billowing blue hoop skirt was actually a float. She was so tall that she could nod to the spectators in the second floor windows of the buildings she passed. Several clown characters stand to one side, one wearing a huge "grotesque" head mask. Behind the clowns is a float with Humpty Dumpty and some of the Kings Men. This parade was the kick off for the Christmas toy shopping season. Thousands of bright eyed Tacoma youngsters turned out to see their favorite Fairy Tale characters. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The 1936 Toyland Parade kicks off the day after Thanksgiving in a dense fog. The parade celebrates the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It is made up of 10 elaborate Mother Goose floats, three marching bands and 75 costumed characters, such as these clowns. This is a cropped version of D733 image 3. (Tacoma Times 11/28/1936, pg. 11)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The second annual Fairyland and Christmas Parade, November 29, 1935. Float with Santa in sleigh pulled by pure white reindeer in front of Brandes-Madsen Co. on Broadway. Santa will be preceded by two boys carrying a sign proclaiming "Santa from the North Pole." Santa's float is flanked by dancing letter blocks that spell TOYS. Following Santa is the float with the Three Wise Men on camels. The parade took place on the day after Thanksgiving on a route that covered Broadway and Pacific Ave. from 7th - 13th streets. The parade signalled the beginning of Christmas toy shopping season. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brandes-Madsen Co. (Tacoma); Reindeer;

Riding in a white, toy filled sleigh pulled by two snow white reindeer, Santa Claus rode on the first float in the second annual Fairyland and Christmas Parade, November 29, 1935. Sponsored by merchants on Broadway and Pacific Avenues, the parade took place the day after Thanksgiving and kicked off the Christmas shopping season in Tacoma. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Reindeer;

Fairyland and Christmas parade, November 29, 1935. Marching band in front of the Elks' Temple on Broadway. Three marching bands were scheduled in the parade, the Musicians' Union band, Stadium High School and Lincoln High School. This is most probably the Musicians' Union Band that was scheduled to start off the parade, accompanying Santa Claus. The Mother Goose float can be seen behind the band, followed by another marching band. (T. Times 11/28/1935, pg.1; 11/29/1935, pg.1; 11/30/1935, pg. 9)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marching bands; Elks Temple (Tacoma);

1937 Daffodil Parade. City of Puyallup's float, "Romance of the Daffodils", parked in the 1900 block of Jefferson Avenue. Northern Laundry and "76" service station and other buildings in background.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1937 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1937 Daffodil Parade. City of Puyallup float followed by two other floats moving south along the 900 block on Pacific Ave. Capacity crowds line the sidewalks in front of Pacific Avenue buildings. The 1937 parade was one of the most heavily attended in years. (T. Times, 4/10/1937, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1937 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

1937 Daffodil Parade. Tacoma Kiwanis Club float emphasizing the club emblem is parked on Jefferson Street in front of American Marble and Granite Co. Neighborhood buildings in background. (T. Times, 4/10/1937, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1937 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

1937 Daffodil Parade. Snappy All-woman marching band representing the Daughters of Veterans stopped on Pacific Avenue in front of the Provident Building. Crowd and buildings in background. The 1937 parade was one of the most heavily attended in years, with crowds at Broadway jammed halfway up the block on 9th and 11th. (T. Times, 4/10/1937, p. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1937 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Marching bands--Tacoma--1930-1940; Drum majors--1930-1940;

1937 Daffodil Parade. Decorated reviewing stand on South Tenth Street at Pacific Avenue. Buildings in the background include storefront businesses: Haines Picture Shop, 119 So. 10th, owned by Claude E. Haines, and Leon E. Kahn's Kahn Hat Manufacturing Co., 117 1/2 So. 10th. (T. Times, 4/10/1937, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1937 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Reviewing stands; Haines Picture Shop (Tacoma); Kahn Hat Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma)

ca. 1934. Banquet, circa 1934. Big banquet, location and group unidentified; many people seated at long tables, red, white and blue banners hanging up. (T. Times)

Banquets--1930-1940;

Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup. Paul Brachard, Tarzan in films, holds two children in his arms at the fair's "joy zone" where he's appearing as a wrestler. (T. Times, 9/23/1937, p.1)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Actors--Puyallup; Brachard, Paul;

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;

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;

Policemen's Ball at Century Ballroom, Fife, on December 17, 1937. Large group of police officers and women standing in lines; a dozen Art Deco style chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen is second from right in first row. Mayor George Smitley (not pictured) led the Grand March into the ballroom; he was accompanied by several city commissioners and high ranking police officials. The ball benefited the Police Relief Fund and Benefit Association. (TNT 12-18-37, p. 2)

Balls (Parties)--Fife; Bergersen, Abner R.; Chandeliers;

ca. 1926. Picture of the bride and groom from the Wight wedding. (WSHS)

Weddings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1926. Wight Wedding (WSHS)

Weddings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Brides--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. A number of men in costumes and makeup suggesting clowns pose on a truck and one or two automobiles that have been decorated as floats. Over it all is suspended a giant straw hat on a pole. The floats are possibly part of the Straw Hat Day celebrations, the day when gentlemen officially put away their winter hats in favor of straw summer hats. The group is posed in front of a billboard. (WSHS- negative a846-0)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Enjoying the sunshine on Easter morning in 1937 are churchgoers at the First Congregational Church, 209 So. J St. The many children present, all dressed in their Sunday best, seem to indicate that this may have been the various Sunday School classes at the church. A few of the girls have been identified as front row, left to right: Jean Williams (with lily plant), possibly Joan Finch, Marjory Long, possibly Kathryn Burr, Jane Parker, and Virginia Lee (Wendy) Wagner in polka-dotted dress with hands on wall. Seymour S. Todd (standing, second row at far left) was a teacher at Stewart Junior High School.

Easter--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Congregational churches--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Todd, Seymour S.; Williams, Jean; Long, Marjory; Parker, Jane; Wagner, Virginia Lee;

Nancy Hewitt posed with her bridal party on her wedding day, June 28, 1939. The bride and eight attendants in long dresses held bouquets in front of a large window. The wedding was held at the Hewitt family home 615 No. E. St. Amy Lou Murray located second from right. (filed with Argentum)

Hewitt, Nancy--Marriage; Weddings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Wedding clothing & dress--1930-1940; Brides--1930-1940;

Studio portrait of Golden Jubilee Queen Amy Lou Murray in her official cape and crown. Miss Murray was selected over 35 contestants to reign over the festivities surrounding Washington state's 50th anniversary of statehood. She later represented our area at the Miss Washington contest.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Murray, Amy Lou;

Portrait of Jubilee Queen Amy Lou Murray. Miss Murray was selected from 35 contestants for the title of Golden Jubilee queen in July,1939, commemorating the 50th anniversary of statehood. The runner-up to the title, Margaret Franich, was declared "Miss Pierce County." This is the same photograph as A8632-7 with the background removed.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Murray, Amy Lou;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Celebration, July, 1940. Luncheon at home of Mrs. Elizabeth H. Walton featuring a centerpiece of the bridge made out of food. Tacoma was very proud of the new Narrows Bridge and replicas of the bridge could be seen everywhere in town. The massive parade on July 1, 1940, featured displays of the bridge on nearly every float and as the luncheon at Mrs. Walton's proved, a beautiful replica of the bridge could even be made with food.

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Luncheons--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Walton, Elizabeth H.--Homes & haunts;

Tacoma, Gig Harbor, and the surrounding area celebrated the combined openings of the First Tacoma Narrows Bridge and McChord Field at the beginning of July in 1940. This edible Narrows Bridge was the center piece at a special celebration luncheon held in the home of Elizabeth H. Walton, 3911 No. 9th St. Deviled egg boats sail in a gelatin sea below a miniature bridge. Large pieces of cake appear to make up the bulk of the bridge; greenery might have been supplied by stalks of broccoli and celery. Replicas of the new bridge appeared throughout Tacoma, including apparently at imaginative luncheons.

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Luncheons--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Walton, Elizabeth H.--Homes & haunts;

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Carsten's Packing Company float. The Carsten's Packing Co.'s float delighted parade watchers on July 1, 1940, with its bowing giant ham and lovely attendants. A man wearing a large white chef's hat may be steering the vehicle. A Richards photographer captured the rose-strewn float as it passed the Northern Laundry & Dye Works on Jefferson Avenue. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carsten's Packing Co. (Tacoma);

Narrows Bridge - McChord Field Parade, Gig Harbor Veterans of Foreign Wars drum & bugle corps, July 1, 1940. This group, identified by Richards Studio, as part of the Gig Harbor VFW, were junior members of the veterans organization. They, and other veterans units, marched proudly in the large parade held after the bridge's dedication. (T. Times, 7-2-40, p. 1)

Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narrows Bridge/ McChord Field Parade; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marching percussion--Gig Harbor;

1940 Y.M.B.C. Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Large crowd on boathouse deck, vessels offshore. Y.M.B.C. officials considered it the most successful water carnival to date. It was attended by an estimated crowd of over 50,000. (T.Times, 7-1-40, p. 12)

Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations--Tacoma; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Point Defiance Boat House (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tugboats--Tacoma--1940-1950;