Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup. View of crowd walking around littered fairgrounds. Two women, in center, wear tiny prize-type straw hats. Sign on building "See Tacoma 50 years ago." (T. Times)

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

Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup. A rider allows two young boys to hold a horse's bridle rope. Barns, automobiles and a Puyallup Laundry truck in background.

Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Horses--Puyallup;

Over 56,000 people flocked to the Westen Washington Fair in Puyallup on Tacoma Day in September of 1937. Three little visitors, Tommy Veale and Bobby Glover of Bremerton and Patricia Ruth Gray of Tacoma were given instructions by attendant Clayton Osborne on how to drive a toy fire engine on the canvas-top, merry-go-round auto ride.

Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Merry-go-rounds--Puyallup; Veale, Tommy; Glover, Bobby; Gray, Patricia Ruth; Osborne, Clayton;

Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup. View of capacity crowd in grandstand. Designated fair days encouraged citizens to set record-breaking attendance for their city. On Tacoma Day, over 56,000 attended, handily beating Seattle's 26,000+ on their Day. Schoolchildren got the day off to attend and have fun. (T. Times, 9/23/27 p. 1)

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

As always, on Tacoma Day in 1937, food was a major part of the fun at the Puyallup Fair. The teenage and pre-teen students enjoying ice cream bars at a fair concession stand are (l to r) Lief Washburn, Shirley Hamblin, Beverly Anderson, Marjorie Duskie (the tall girl behind Beverly), Geraldine Anderson and Frances Alexander. The girl at the far right in the print dress was not identified. The turnstile registered over 56,000 fair goers on Tacoma Day, September 22, 1937 at the Western Washington Fair. (T.Times, 9/23/1937, p.1)

Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Washburn, Lief; Hamblin, Shirley; Anderson, Beverly; Duskie, Marjorie; Anderson, Geraldine; Alexander, Frances;

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;

Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Wide angle view of fairgrounds showing amusement area. Grand Whip ride on left and Auto Shooter building on right. Large crowd, more rides, fair buildings, and Puyallup residential area in background.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup);

Western Washington Fair grandstand. The Tacoma Federal Band plays a musical piece directed by Joe Rausch during the 1938 Tacoma Day at the fair.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Grandstands--Puyallup; Tacoma Federal Band (Tacoma);

1941 Western Washington Fair at Puyallup. A little girl with ringlets, cradled in a man's arms, seems unimpressed with the doll on a stick being shown to her by a fair vendor. The man is smiling although the child is not. (T. Times)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Girls--Puyallup--1940-1950; Dolls;

1941 Western Washington Fair at Puyallup. These children had a special treat while at the Western Washington Fair on September 18, 1941, as they circled a ring on ponies as parents and other family members looked on. (T.Times)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Ponies--1940-1950;

A crowd views exhibits in one of the many halls at the 1940 Puyallup Fair. In the background are advertising posters by Bone Dry Shoes.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Crowds;

On Tacoma Day, September 18,1940, at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup, a large crowd has gathered in the midway area.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Crowds; Amusement rides--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Crowds filled the midway on September 18th for Tacoma Day at the 1940 Puyallup Fair. While some fairgoers waited their turn to ride the swings or the "Pretzel," others took a chance at one of the games of luck or skill. The 41st annual Western Washington Fair in Puyallup had a midway of 10 acres, crowded with every type of ride, side show and carnival attraction. The fair ran from September 16-22 but the highlight for most Tacomans was Wednesday, September 18th, when 42,500 of them passed through the gates.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Crowds; Amusement rides--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Look Mom - No hands! The boys in the front car of the wooden roller coaster at the 1940 Puyallup Fair released the security bar as they plummeted down one of the big drops on the thrilling ride. The roller coaster was just one of more than 25 rides on the 10 acre midway of the 41st annual Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. On September 18,1940, Tacoma Day at the fair, local school kids were out for the day and ready for some heart pounding action. TPL-2541 (T. Times 9/16/1940, pg. 1; 9/19/1940, pg. 1)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Roller coasters; Amusement rides--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Mr. Chilson presented a huge display of dahlias at the Puyallup Fair in 1948. The flower types range from cactus to ball, anemone, water lily, pompon and decorative. The bouquets are arranged in baskets, vases and pots.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Agricultural exhibits--Puyallup--1940-1950; Flowers--Puyallup--1940-1950; Bouquets;

Fair booth, windows and overall, Carstens Packing Company, Mr. White. Carstens provided a large window display at the Puyallup Fair with labels for all the meats and cuts of meats shown. The two middle panels feature the processed foods made by the company: hot dogs, sausages, summer sausages and canned beef and gravy, corned beef hash, and chili con carne. The company advertised having locations in Tacoma, Seattle and Spokane.

Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Meat; Meat cutting--Tacoma; Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays;

The Marine Corps booth at the 1952 Western Washington Fair. A painting by Sgt. Gerald C. Fitzsimmons of the famous Iwo Jima flag raising during World War II is prominent in the display next to a Marine who stands ready to answer questions. (TNT, 9/7/1952, p.A-13)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; United States Marine Corps; Paintings; Fitzsimmons, Gerald C.--Associated objects;

This unidentified "fire eater" was just one of the thrilling attractions that drew over 28,000 people to the opening day of the 1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. September 20th was Tacoma Day at the fair; highlights of the day included performances in the Education Hall by the Lincoln High School Choir and the Stadium High School Concert Band.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup);

Scenes from the 1939 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Three young women and a young man hold stuffed animal prizes, bulls, at fair booth. Fairgoers could step right up and spend a nickel for a chance to win a prize bull. The smiling fair employee smiles for the camera; the walls of his booth are lined with stuffed bulls and the spinning wheel is ready for all customers.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Stuffed animals (Toys);

During Tacoma Day at the 1937 Western Washington Fair, three Lincoln High School boys have met three girls from Fife High School and are walking arm-in-arm through the fun-filled Fairway. The Fairway was added in 1932, with new rides, games of chance and side shows. Kids and adults alike are enjoying the thrill of being 45-feet up in the air on the two, 12-seat Eli Ferris wheels. Left to right: Vera Jean Hedderly, Ed Bergstrom, Eileen Ruscher, Bill Dellman, Jean Todd, and Orville Mahoskey. (T. Times 9/23/37, p.1)

Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Ferris wheels--Puyallup; Students--Puyallup--1930-1940;

Noted Indian leaders and their tribes set-up camp at Puyallup's Western Washington Fairs to demonstrate their crafts and share their culture. In 1937, Chief Shelton (wearing feathered headdress) and his tribe camped at the fair. A record breaking crowd of more than 56,000 attended the fair on Tacoma Day that year. Among them are Connie Ireland and a group of students who are watching Chief Shelton demonstrate a blanket wrap and another man share his knowledge of Indian basketry. (T. Times, 9/23/1937, p. 1))

Fairs--Puyallup; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Indians of North America--Exhibitions; Indians of North America--Arts & crafts; Indians of North America--Clothing & dress; Shelton, Chief;

Booth at the 1937 Puyallup Fair sponsored by the Plywood Sales and Box Co. in Tacoma. The display features Magi-Kote wall board for "The New Modern Interior." Room display with fireplace, wall covering connected with metal strips and modern furniture.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Exhibit booths--Puyallup;

The amusement rides twirl, forever frozen in motion, in this photograph of the midway of the 41st annual Western Washington Fair at Puyallup on Tacoma Day in September of 1940. On Tacoma Day, Tacoma school children were released from their duties to escort their parents to the fair. More than 42,500 Tacomans and their neighbors crowded the fairgrounds. (T. Times 9/19/1940, pg. 1)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Crowds; Amusement rides--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Exhibit at Puyallup Fair, South Tacoma Welding, Mr. Bosko. The sign over the Dodge dump truck reads, "This body and hoist has been installed by South Tacoma Welding & Equipment Company, distributors of Hercules Bodies and Hoists for State of Washington". Axel Peusa Excavating and Bulldozing is painted on the cab's door.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; South Tacoma Welding & Equipment Co. (Tacoma); Dump trucks--Puyallup--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Carstens Booth at Puyallup Fair, Times, Burt McMurtrie. Carstens' display includes windows into a refrigerated area with hung meat and the cuts of meat from each kind of animal, some of the prepackaged foods produced by the company and an array of the processed meats such as bologna and sausages also produced by Carstens. A picture of their new refrigerated trucks hangs along the left wall.

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Exhibitions--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Fair booth, windows and overall, Carstens Packing Company, Mr. White. Carstens Tacoma location was 1623 East J Street. Carstens advertised their display at the Puyallup Fair in the Tacoma News Tribune with, "See all the delicious "nifty" - "thrifty" meat cuts. See the charts on How to Select Meats and How to Prepare Them! Free Booklets, too! It's a Carstens' feature, of course!" This part of their window display features meat before and after it has been cut into cooking-size pieces. (TNT, 9/17/1948, p.11)

Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Meat; Meat cutting--Tacoma; Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays;

On September 22, 1937, Isabel Smitley, with her husband Tacoma Mayor George Smitley decorated the winning race horse "Premier Jim" and congratulated his jockey in the winner's circle at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. The horse had just won the afternoon's feature event, the one-mile "Mayor Smitley" race for previous non-winning 3 year olds. They were posed on the grandstand grass during Tacoma Day at the Fair. (T. Times 9/23/37 p.1)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1940-1950; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Horses--Puyallup; Race horses; Horse racing--Puyallup;

Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup. A young man attempts to ring the bell at a "Test Your Strength" game at the fair. People in the crowd watch the marker rise on the scale. Over 50,500 people were in attendance on September 22, 1937, the designated Tacoma Day.

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

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

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;