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;

Tacoma Home Show grand opening. Pierce County Commissioner Clay Huntington wields a pair of large shears to snip the ribbon for the opening day of the 1978 Tacoma Home Show. He is assisted by Tacoma mayor, Mike Parker. It was Mayor Parker's first time officiating at the Home Show, a duty that his predecessor, Gordon Johnston, had performed for many years. The Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall for the sixth straight year. Photograph ordered by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parker, Michael; Huntington, Clay;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Olympic Arabian Pleasure Horse Club members and their nine pure or one-half Arabian horses moved majestically down Pacific Avenue during the 1978 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. The riders hail from the Bremerton area. They wear attractive costumes that are handmade. The Olympic Arabian Pleasure Horse Club would win third place in the Mounted Units category. They were one of the 13 horse units entered in the parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1978 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Horses--Tacoma;

A young bride and groom happily examine a large selection of wedding gifts in an August, 1951 photograph. She is holding her bridal bouquet with one hand while admiring a silver serving dish. Her new husband is reading the accompanying card. Presents displayed include an iron, lamps, soup tureen, candlestick holders, doilies and linens, glasses and china. Virginia Dittman and Jack Wood were married in the Friends' church in front of 250 guests. She wore a gown of white slipper satin and a cap adorned with tiny pearls and orange blossoms during the candlelit ceremony. (TNT 9-16-51, p. D-10)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Dittman, Virginia; Wood, Jack; Gifts;

Family and friends pose with the new Mr. and Mrs. William Vermilyea in this sepia photograph taken after their wedding on September 15, 1951. The large group is pictured in front of the home belonging to the bride's mother. Rosemarie Lefor and William Vermilyea were married that morning at the Holy Rosary Church. The smiling couple is to the left in the picture with a small girl in front of them. A wedding breakfast was held at the Top of the Ocean and a reception in the evening at the bride's home. (TNT 9-23-51, D-5)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Lefor, Rosemarie; Vermilyea, William; Receptions--Tacoma; Group portraits--1950-1960;

Wedding portrait of Avonne Nadine Nelson and Lt. Truman Everett Boudinot, Jr. Miss Nelson, daughter of Mrs. Hazel Morton Nelson, and Lt. Boudinot, son of Mrs. Truman Boudinot of Beverly Hills, Ca. and the late Brigadier General Boudinot, were married on a Friday afternoon, January 12, 1951, in Raynor Chapel at the Annie Wright Seminary with Reverend Arthur Bell officiating at the single ring ceremony. Miss Nelson wore a pastel pink Adrian suit with an off white straw hat trimmed with white velvet flowers and carried a bouquet of carnations, pink roses and white stephanotis. The maid of honor was Miss Constance Brady and the best man was Robert Winskill. After the ceremony, the couple left for a three week motor tour of Santa Barbara and Palm Springs. The bride attended Annie Wright and was a graduate of Mills College. The groom received his commission at West Point Military Academy. (TNT 1/14/1951, pg D-3; TNT 1/21/1951, D-2 picture only)

Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nelson, Avonne Nadine--Marriage; Boudinot, Truman Everett; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

The Lakewood Dance Club at their "Alaskapades" party where members dressed as Eskimos, Indians and characters from the Gold Rush days. Igloos and totem poles decorated the Lakewood Center Recreation Hall for the 9:30 p.m. dance, which was preceded by an 8 p.m. "no host" dinner at the Lakewood Terrace. Pictured, left to right, are Ruth Mellinger "Princess El Dorado," Paul Mellinger "Chief Running Water," Mrs. Sam Bergesen "The Lady Who Was Known as Lou," and Samuel Bergesen "Dangerous Dan McGrew." (TNT 3/25/1951, pg. D-6)

Balls (Parties)--Lakewood--1950-1960; Costumes--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Dance Club (Lakewood); Mellinger, Ruth; Mellinger, Paul; Bergesen, Samuel;

Norma Brott and Gilbert Simmons marry in a candlelight ceremony at the First Lutheran Church on Feb. 10, 1951. The bride, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Brott, wore a white satin and lace gown with a train. The long veil of imported Italian lace was trimmed with seed pearls and she carried a bouquet of orchids and white carnations. The matron of honor was Mrs. Richard Johnson, and the bridesmaids were Misses Doris Gardner, Emily Simard and Florence Brooker. The groom was the son of Mrs. Willis Simmons of Long Island, N.Y. Russell White served as best man, and the ushers were Winter Burnett, Richard Johnson and Frank Kirch Jr. The reception was held in the church parlor. The couple made their first home in Bremerton. (TNT 2/28/1951, pg. B-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brott, Norma; Simmons, Gilbert;

Wedding picture of Marilyn Jean Mann and Edward Stanley Annas at St. Lukes Episcopal Church. The bride wore an azalea pink satin gown with a molded bodice and a stiff collar of chantilly lace, which was also used at the elbows and wristline. The bouffant skirt had a cathedral length train and the bonnet of pink satin had a fingertip veil. The bride carried a bouquet of calla lilies tied with pink velvet ribbon. The lilies were also used as floral displays for the church and reception. Jo Anne Wood was the maid of honor and Mrs. E. Wayne Mann Jr. was the matron of honor. Both women worn gowns of pale lavender taffeta. The bride was attended by four other bridesmaids in darker lavender. Louis Wohlman was Best Man. The bride was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Wayne Mann Sr. and attended the College of Puget Sound, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. The groom was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Annas Sr. of Enumclaw and also attended CPS, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma and the Lettermen's Club. The reception was held at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house. (Wedding shower picture & article TNT 3/11/1951, pg. D-7, Wedding TNT 3/25/1951, pg. D-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Mann, Marilyn; Annas, Edward; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960;

The Honolulu Conservatory of Music's float from the 1951 Daffodil Parade. Two men sit in the front seat. Two young women are seated above the back seat, one holding an accordion and one with a guitar. Large music staves have been added to the front of the car which has been covered with daffodils and outlines of notes.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Accordions; Guitars;

This daffodil-covered "zoo" depicting a jungle theme was just one of the 70 floats entered in the 1951 Daffodil Parade. On top of the cage were two young ladies in leopard-spotted strapless dresses while inside the cage, petting a lion created out of daffodils, is another young lady in a two-piece zebra-striped bathing suit. Crowds estimated at 100,000 lined downtown streets, fire escapes and peered out of office buildings to view the 1 1/2 hour procession. The float is pictured on Pacific Avenue passing the California Oyster House (930 Pacific) and Norman R. Smith's Men's Clothing (928 Pacific). (TNT 4-7-51, p. 1-article on parade)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); California Oyster House (Tacoma); Norman R. Smith's (Tacoma);

Decorated with hundreds, if not thousands of golden daffodils, the Jordan Baking Co. float proceeded down Pacific Avenue during the 18th annual Daffodil Festival Parade on April 7, 1951. It was photographed passing the Washington Hardware Co. (922-24 Pacific) and the Stationers, Inc. (926-28). Aboard was a display of the company's familiar wrapping and a subtle reminder of the freshness of its products. Jordan's was believed to be the state's largest independent bakery and had won numerous awards for its bread. Its "Fresh As A Daisy" float won second place in the parade's Commercial Division. (TNT 4-8-51, A9-alt. photo)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Stationers, Inc. (Tacoma);

Tollefson-Myers Wedding. Congressman Thor Tollefson (far right) and wife Eva with Mr. and Mrs. Ardeis H. Myers of Kansas City, Missouri, visit during the reception held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club following the marriage of their children, Rosemary Tollefson and Ardeis H. Myers, Jr. The younger Myers is a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia and his new wife a graduate of Stephens College. This was one of Tacoma's largest weddings of the year with 600 invited guests. The bride's aunts served at the reception. (TNT, 8-21-49, D-1) ALBUM 4.

Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Myers, Ardeis Harold--Family; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982--Family; Legislators--Washington--1940-1950; Receptions--Tacoma;

Fort Lewis was hosting Tacoma's two day merchandise exposition at Gray Field, 75,000 people were expected to attend. View of Washington Gas and Electric Company exhibit booth featuring modern appliances including: ranges, water heaters and refrigerators. Two unidentified sales representatives are ready to answer consumer questions (T.N.T., 8/03/49, p. 1).

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Appliances; Appliance stores--Tacoma; Washington Gas & Electric Co. (Tacoma); Fort Lewis Gray Field (Wash.);

MGM Studio stars, Audrey Totter, Nancy Davis and Marshall Thompson would be part of the entertainment program scheduled at the merchandise exposition. General Plastics Manufacturing Company display features many of their products, including furniture made of durable plastic. Richard's Studio sign in background; The Hub clothing display on right side (T.N.T., 8/03/49, p. 1).

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Hub Clothing Co. (Tacoma); General Plastics Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Fort Lewis Gray Field (Wash.);

Patterson-Ambuehl wedding. Six wedding attendants gather around the smiling bride as she lifts her satin gown to show her beribboned garter. One bridesmaid gingerly tugs at the garter with one finger. Donna Mae Patterson and Andrew Ambuehl exchanged vows during a double-ring ceremony on November 30, 1951, at the First Presbyterian Church. The bride wore a Chantilly lace bodice extending into a peplum over a white satin skirt. Her attendants wore gowns of satin and tulle. The bride and groom honeymooned in California. (TNT 12-9-51, D-8)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Patterson, Donna Mae--Marriage; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);

Lorna Mavis Schmidt and John Lewis Jaech were married Christmas Day 1951 at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church. Lorna is the daughter of LeRoy M. and Mildred H. Schmidt. John is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Jaech of Seattle. Lorna wore a white brocade dress with accordion pleating insertions and a low, graceful neckline. Her illusion veil was fastened to a matching cap. The Christmas bouquet was of poinsettias and variegated holly. They planned a wedding trip to San Francisco. Their new home was to be in Seattle where both the bride and groom were students at the University of Washington. (TNT, 1/20/1952, p.D-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Altars--Tacoma; Schmidt, Lorna Mavis--Marriage; Jaech, John Lewis; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma;

Microsoft mogul Bill Gates' parents' wedding. William Henry Gates Jr. and Mary Maxwell married May 11, 1951 in Seattle. The photo shows the couple in an automobile leaving after the ceremony and reception. Both of Gates' parents can trace their Northwest roots back to the late 1800's. Bill Jr. grew up in Bremerton, the son of a prosperous local merchant, served as a Second Lieutenant in WW II and returned after the war to complete his undergraduate work at the University of Washington and enter law school. There he met Mary Maxwell, an energetic and high spirited athlete and sorority girl nicknamed "Giggles" by her friends. ("Bill Gates" by Adam Woog, "Bill Gates, Billionaire Computer Genius" by Joan D. Dickinson and "Smart Money, The Story of Bill Gates" by Aaron Boyd)

Weddings--Seattle--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Maxwell, Mary; Gates, William Henry; Wedding costume--1950-1960;

The wedding of Shirley Claire Fields and Jack Schneidermann in the Wedgewood Room at the Winthrop Hotel. A single ring ceremony was performed by Rabbi Bernard Roseberg under a canopy of white stock and greens flanked by candelabra. The bride, the daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Hyman S. Fields, wore an ivory satin gown with a yoke of net and venice lace with a long train and an illusion veil. She carried a bouquet of orchids and stephanotis. The groom was from Coos Bay, Oregon and was the son of Mrs. David Schneidermann. The matron of honor was the recently married Mrs. Alvin L. Fields, sister-in-law of the bride, who wore the same bridal gown at her wedding. The Junior Bridesmaid was Dorothy Fields and the Bridesmaids were Helen Gold, Mona Kleiner and Nancy Brown. The Best Man was Harold Schneidermann. The bride was a graduate of Stadium High School and received her degree in Sociology from the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Washington. She was a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi. The groom was a Business Administration graduate from the University of Oregon and a member of Sigma Alpha Mu. The Schneidermanns honeymooned in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, Ca. (TNT 4/22/1951, pg. D-4)

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Fields, Shirley Claire; Schneidermann, Jack; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

A masked model in a one piece swimsuit stands next to a plywood panel labelled "Sizing Up Mrs. Tacoma". The 1955 Tacoma Home Show had an added feature- a contest to find the perfect Mrs. Tacoma Housewife. Contestants had to be between 18 and 35, married, have at least one child and be Pierce County residents for at least 6 months. They were judged on "housewifely arts," poise, charm and appearance. Finalists were tested on how quickly they could make a bed, how well they could iron a shirt, and the looks and appearance of their best baked goods. Equally important was how well they had "trained" their husbands, judged by how well the males could change a diaper. Although contest organizers repeatedly stated that height and weight did not matter, Mrs. Tacoma would also need to parade in a swimsuit and high heels. The winner was Mrs. Lowell Doud, the wife of a lumberjack.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Beauty contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bathing beauties; Bathing suits;

Launching of the AM 504, the second of three 171 foot minesweepers to be launched at Tacoma Boat Building. The keel was laid on the AM 504 October 25, 1953 and expected delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting was November of 1955. On completion, the ship would be turned over to a foreign nation. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be the sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

In March of 1955 a model, believed to be Pat Murphy, demonstrated the pull out, top loading dishwasher that was installed in the ultra-modern kitchen of the model home built for the 1955 Tacoma Home Show. Built by the Tacoma Master Builders, the 1955 model home, called "Casa Manana" was advertised as the "home of tomorrow". Over 59 Tacoma firms took part in the construction and furnishing of the modern tri-level house which was located at 7028 Cherry Lane S.W. in Lakewood.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The Cammarano Brothers' float won second place in the Industrial Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade. It depicts the Golden Future of space travel. Two big headed Kewpie doll figures light a rocket ready to shoot off into space, while markers show the distance to the moon, sun and Milky Way. The crowd shields itself from the rain with umbrellas while the float rolls past. The best seats for the parade this year were the upper story windows, where viewers were shielded from the elements.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);

The theme of the Tacoma Kiwanis Club float was "Peace, the Golden Future." The float won second place in the Service Club Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade. On the float, three girls sit amidst what appear to be blossoming cherry trees and doves. The girls appear to be shivering in their lacy shawls in the cool spring air.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);

This humorous float received Honorable Mention in the retail catagory. In keeping with the theme of "Golden Future," two women sit at the back of the float on the covered patio sipping ice tea and visiting while two robots mow the lawn and trim the hedges. The float was sponsored by McKinnon's Department store. The store was located at 3639 So. "G" and was owned by Ray and Alice B. McKinnon.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; McKinnon's Department Store (Tacoma);

The float entered by the Knights of Pythias won 3rd place in Division 4, Fraternal groups, in the 1955 Daffodil Parade. In keeping with the theme "Golden Future," steps labelled benevolence, charity and friendship lead to the doorway flanked with the words Universal Brotherhood. The Pythian symbol adorns the front of the float, a triangle within a triangle. The float is being pulled by a late model convertible.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Knights of Pythias (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Twelve princesses for the 1956 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival, dressed in Easter dresses and hats and holding baskets of flowers. Preparations were well underway for the 23rd annual Daffodil Festival to be held on April 9-15, 1956. Twelve candidates were vying for Queen. Seated left to right in row 1 are Dianne Divelbiss of Sumner and Judy Poolman of Sumner. 2nd row: Donna Kaelin of Sumner, Nancy Rosario of Sumner, Cheryl McDonald of Tacoma, Evelyn Strandley of Puyallup. 3rd row: Frances Delano of Puyallup, Connie Vandewall of Puyallup, Judy Nelson of Puyallup, Margaret Strachan of Tacoma. Top Row-Kathy Gustafson of Tacoma and Betty Zevenberger of Tacoma. Margaret Strachan was crowned Queen by Governor Arthur Langley April 9th in Spartan Hall in Sumner. The 18 year old Stadium High School senior was the first Tacoma girl ever elected Queen. Princesses were Diane Divelbiss, 17 year old Sumner senior, and Evelyn Strandley, 16 year old Puyallup junior. (TNT 4/1/1956, pg. D-1, TNT 4/10/1956, pg.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956); Divelbiss, Dianne; Poolman, Judy; Kaelin, Donna; Rosario, Nancy; McDonald, Cheryl; Strandley, Evelyn; Delano, Frances; Vandewall, Connie; Nelson, Judy; Strachan, Margaret; Gustafson, Kathy; Zevenberger, Betty;

The characters from the famous L. Frank Baum childrens' book "The Wizard of Oz" populate this float in the Daffodil Parade. Waving to the audience are Dorothy, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and Princess Ozma of Oz. The Oz float was sponsored by the West Coast Grocery's Shop Rite Markets and won the Festival Award for 1956. The float had an 8 x 10 replica of the book and used 40,000 daffodils for coverage. (TNT 4/14/1956, pg. 1; 4/15/1956, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The nursery rhyme "Mary Mary, quite contrary" is the theme of this float; Mary waves to the crowd as she waters streams of flowers on her garden of "pretty maids all in a row." This float was sponsored by the Sears and Roebuck Co. and won first place in the Retail division, division 8. The parade viewers are bundled up in coats and hats as the day was dull and overcast, but the pretty maids show off their stems in short skirts. (TNT 4/14/1956, pg. 1; 4/15/1956, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1956 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma);