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;

Good weather drew 600 attendees to the 12th annual Dash Point Dock Dinner Dance. Activities during the day included: swimming, diving, rowboat races, log rolling, and the greased pole event. Here a group of boys are moving a log along the beach in the surf. (T.Times, 7/21/1938, p. 3).

Festivals--Dash Point; Dance parties--Dash Point; Children playing in water--Dash Point;

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." 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. An unidentified large yacht is anchored in the bay for the Carnival. (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; Yachts--Tacoma;

Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. The April 1938 event attracted 25,000 spectators. The decking around the Pavilion was filled with people. Traffic and parking were bottlenecked. The carnival was so popular that it became an annual event. (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);

The 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest performed in front of the temporary bandstand, topped with unfurled flags, at the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance Park. The young orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the favorites of the 7,000 concert viewers. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

ca. 1938. 1938 Daffodil Festival Queen. 17-year-old Bliss Lundrigan of Puyallup was chosen the 1938 Daffodil Festival Queen. She was accompanied by princesses Bernice Daniel of Tacoma and Agnes Kucemba of Sumner. Miss Lundrigan is shown seated in a chair hidden by a mass of daffodils. A robe of royal purple is fastened at the collar; 1938 was the first year that Royalty wore official robes. A crown of daffodils adorns her dark hair.

Lundrigan, Bliss; Beauty contestants--Puyallup; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1938 : Puyallup);

Surrounded by blossoms is the 1941 Daffodil Queen, Pauline Martin. This portrait of the radiant 18-year-old Sumner resident was selected to be on the front page of the News Tribune on March 23, 1941, the night after her coronation. In 1941 the Daffodil Parade and activities fell in late March rather than later in April. Miss Martin and her two attendants, Maxene Maddex of Lincoln High School and Doris Simonsen of Puyallup, would have a busy week ahead of them. Besides riding in the Daffodil Festival Parade of March 29th they were scheduled to start the Daffodil Festival sailing regatta, appear at the opening of the National Flower & Garden Show in Seattle and listen to the University of Washington Band perform at Jason Lee Junior High. (TNT 3-23-41, p. 1)

Martin, Pauline; Beauty contestants--Sumner; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1941 : Sumner); Daffodils;

1958 Daffodil Festival Queen. Gretchen Brockhoff, a Stadium High School senior, became the 1958 Daffodil Festival Queen. She is posed in flowing robes and a bouffant gown. A beribboned bouquet of daffodils is cradled in her arms. The 17-year-old blond, blue-eyed yell queen was the third successive Tacoma representative selected as festival queen, having succeeded Margaret Strachan of Stadium and last year's queen, Janice Methven of Lincoln. She was crowned by Governor Albert D. Rosellini in ceremonies held at Sumner's Spartan Hall on April 7, 1958. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brockhoff, Sr., had her whole family present that evening; her six-year-old brother Hans, having correctly predicted her victory, fell asleep before and slept through her coronation. (TNT 4-8-58, p. 1, 6)

Brockhoff, Gretchen; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Daffodils;

1952 Daffodil Festival Queen. More than 2200 people gathered at the Tacoma Armory to view the public coronation of the Daffodil Festival Queen on April 1, 1952. It was the largest crowd recorded at that time for a festival coronation. Eva Beattie, Sumner High School senior, was crowned with a garland of daffodils by Orville L. Brown, festival chairman. She was given keys to the cities of Puyallup, Sumner, Orting and Tacoma by the mayors and representatives of those cities. Queen Eva's coronation officially marked the start of a six-day celebration. (TNT 4-1-52, p. 1; TNT 4-2-52, A-1)

Beattie, Eva; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma);

1974 Daffodil Festival Queen. 17-year-old Wilson High School senior Lori Weber became the 1974 Daffodil Festival Queen in impressive ceremonies on April 1,1974, on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University. She was chosen from a field of eighteen princesses. Queen Lori I is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Weber of Fircrest. She is a cheerleader at Wilson and a pianist for the school choir. Miss Weber was crowned by Congressman Floyd Hicks. (TNT 4-2-74, A-1, 3)

Weber, Lori; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1974 : Tacoma);

1975 Daffodil Festival Queen. Wendy Van Noy posed for her formal portrait as newly chosen Daffodil Festival Queen in April of 1975. Clutching the traditional bouquet of daffodils, she also holds the royal scepter. Upon her wavy hair is the queen's crown made out of old gold. Miss Van Noy, the 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Rhine of Tacoma, is a senior at Franklin Pierce High School. An accomplished oboist, she was chosen from a field of eighteen princesses. The 41st queen accepted her crown from professional bowler Earl Anthony on April 7, 1975, at Pacific Lutheran University's Olson Auditorium. She and her court would ride in the Grand Floral Parade on April 12th; Mr. Anthony would be the Grand Marshal of the parade. (TNT 4-8-75, A-1, A-3)

Van Noy, Wendy; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1975 : Tacoma); Daffodils; Scepters; Crowns;

A woman and two boys put the finishing touches on home-made "soap box derby" cars to advertise the 12th annual Dash Point Dock Dinner. The Saturday event attracted 600 people who watched rowboat races and swimming, diving, log rolling, and greased pole contents. An evening dance followed the Dock Dinner. (T. Times, 7/21/1938, p. 3).

Festivals--Dash Point; Dance parties--Dash Point; Coaster cars--Tacoma; Publicity;

Y.M.B.C.(Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival at Point Defiance. At the center of numerous vessels anchored in the bay are: New Ambassador, Commodore, and Westland. (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. Spectators line the wharf and wait in row boats for the boat races to begin. Sailors from the U.S. Navy attended the annual festival. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p.1).

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

Bud Likins (left) and Bob Wilhelmi hold the shallow water divers helmet that they brought with them to the Y.M.B.C. (Young Men's Business Club) Water Carnival held at Point Defiance in April of 1938. Bob Wilhelmi, a student at Stadium High School, built the helmet. He is holding one of the starfish that he brought up from the bottom of Puget Sound while demonstrating his creation. (T.Times, 4/25/1938, p.1).

Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Skin diving--Tacoma; Oxygen masks; Likins, Bud; Wilhelmi, Bob; Starfishes--Tacoma;

1940 YMBC Water Carnival at Point Defiance. Race winners show off their plaques. (T.Times, 7-1-40, p. 12)

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

1940 Y.M.B.C. Water Carnival at Point Defiance. View from water of 1920s and 1940 boathouses crowded with spectators. Thousands came out to watch the various boat races and air show at the annual Young Men's Business Club water carnival. The city fireboat was also summoned by Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood via car radio to stage an exhibition of water power. (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 Pavilion (Tacoma); Point Defiance Boat House (Tacoma);

1940 Y.M.B.C. Water Carnival at Point Defiance. "Key West" of Seattle, winner of deep sea fishing boat race. "New Washington," fishing boat, on right. City fireboat in background with display of water power. (T.Times, 7/1/1940, p. 12).

Festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Honolulu Conservatory of Music's float from the 1951 Daffodil Parade is seen as it progresses along the street.

Festivals--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1950 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Accordions;

The second annual USO Music Festival was held at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. One of the featured performers was the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi. The concert took place around the temporary bandstand set up in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. It was attended by over 7,000 people. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

On July 29, 1945, the USO hosted its first Music Festival at Point Defiance Park. Over 6,000 spectators were on hand to enjoy the concert. The main feature was a performance of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by the 362nd Army Band of Fort Lewis. Cpl. William Sumner of New York City was the featured soloist. Cpl. Sumner was the solo pianist with the National Broadcasting Company before entering the Army. Other performers included the 29th Special Band directed by Sgt. Earnest Hayden and the 25 voice Naval choir from Bremerton, featuring baritone soloist Robert Brown. (TNT 7/29/1945, pg. 1; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

On July 28, 1946, over 7,000 people attended the second US Music Festival at Point Defiance Park. Featured performers were the Seattle Elks Band, the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, the Puget Sound Navy Orchestra, the 448th Special Service Band, Sharps and Flats led by Joe Jordan and the Three Dynamos. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Official photograph, U.S. Army Air Forces McChord Field)

1960 Daffodil Festival Queen in regalia. Succeeding Queen Carol Mills as Daffodil Festival Queen was 17-year-old Lincoln High School senior Diane Harkness. She was chosen from a field of 12 representing high schools in Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Orting and Fife. Miss Harkness is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Harkness. She is the president of Aqua Maids water ballet team, a member of the honor society, and associate editor of the Lincoln News. The new Daffodil Festival Queen was crowned on April 4, 1960, by Governor Albert D. Rosellini during impressive ceremonies at Sumner's Spartan Hall. (TNT 4-4-60, p. 1; TNT 4-5-60, p. 1)

Harkness, Diane; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1960 : Tacoma); Daffodils; Crowns; Scepters;

1967 Daffodil Festival Queen. Carol Parcheta, 17, of Franklin Pierce High School became the 1967 Daffodil Festival Queen as she was crowned by Lt. Gov. John Cherberg on April 3, 1967 in Spartan Hall, Sumner. She was Carol II as there was a previous Queen Carol, 1959's Carol Mills also of Franklin Pierce. Miss Parcheta, shown above holding the symbols of her new office, was a song leader at her high school. She would continue her education at the University of Puget Sound. (TNT 4-4-67, p. 1)

Parcheta, Carol; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1967 : Tacoma); Daffodils; Crowns; Scepters;

1970 Daffodil Festival Queen. Shelley Grobey of Mount Tahoma High School was selected as the 1970 Daffodil Festival Queen. She is posed with a jeweled crown of old gold in her blond hair and holding a scepter and bouquet of daffodils. Miss Grobey is wearing the white velvet royal robe with a embroidered daffodil motif. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Grobey, Jr., she is the youngest of five children. One of the few golden haired queens selected in the festival's first 37 years, the blue-eyed high school senior is president of Mount Tahoma's choir, and member of the studio choir, Cleophas, Pep Club and Senior Girls Trio. Miss Grobey, 17, received her crown at Pacific Lutheran University's Olson Auditorium from Governor Dan Evans on April 6, 1970. (TNT 4-7-70, p. 1)

Grobey, Shelley; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1970 : Tacoma); Daffodils; Crowns; Scepters;

1973 Daffodil Festival Queen. Sherri Murrey posed for her formal portrait as 1973 Daffodil Festival Queen holding her royal scepter in one hand and a beribboned bouquet of daffodils in the other. She is wearing the queen's heavy crown. Queen Sherri I is the first queen from Fife High School. The 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Murrey was crowned by Lt. Gov. John Cherberg on April 9, 1973, in Olson Auditorium. She was chosen as queen from a field of 16 princesses. Miss Murrey was also voted co-winner of the "Miss Congeniality" award. (TNT 4-10-73, p. 1) {photograph scratched at bottom}

Murrey, Sherri; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Daffodils; Crowns; Scepters;

1972 Daffodil Festival Queen. Wearing ceremonial garments is 17-year-old Wilson High School senior, Paula Achziger, who was crowned the 1972 Daffodil Festival Queen. She is holding a symbol of her office, a scepter, and cradling a bouquet of daffodils and ferns. Miss Achziger is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron F.J. Achziger who watched her selected out of 16 nominees, the largest court in the festival's history at that time. Lt. Gov. John Cherberg had the honor of placing the heavy queen's crown on the brown haired Miss Achziger during ceremonies on April 3, 1972, at Pacific Lutheran University's Olson Auditorium. (TNT 4-4-72, p. 1)

Achziger, Paula; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1972 : Tacoma); Scepters; Crowns; Daffodils;

The performance by the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the highlights of the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance. The festival was held in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert drew over 7,000 listeners. It was also broadcast over the Mutual Network by KMO. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2) Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

An unidentified majorette performs with the Seattle Elks Band at the USO Music Festival at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The band was one of many performers in the concert attended by over 7,000. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

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