The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine joined many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma on May 29, 1946. Groups from Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, Portland and many others participated in the Northwest Temples March. The Afifi Temple hosted the event. View of Shriners marching in their parade, American Red Cross building in background.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);

The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. Groups from Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, Portland and many others were going to participate in the Northwest Temples March. The Afifi Temple will host the event. View of Shriners ready to march in their parade.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);

The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. Groups from Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, Portland and many others were going to participate in the Northwest Temples March, where they would lead camels through the parade. The Afifi Temple will host the event. View of Shriners displaying Afifi's baby Camel on a forklift.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Lifting & carrying--Tacoma; Obesity;

Griffin Fuel Company along with many other prominent Tacoma business and organizations were getting ready the the annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade. Their float was covered in daffodils and was using the Harem motif, but would also include the infamous "Lulubelle Griffin", a regular in the Tacoma parade scene. Ed Griffin was President of Griffin Fuel Company in Tacoma.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Harems--Tacoma; Cross dressing--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

The annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade would go through Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, view of the Puyallup Lodge No. 32 Ancient Order of United Workmen float attached to a Commercial Distributing truck, before it proceeded onto the parade on Pacific Avenue. This float received third place in the floats among organizations and lodges (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Ancient Order of United Workmen Puyallup Lodge No. 32 (Tacoma);

Daffodil Festival Parade along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, view of the Puyallup Lodge No. 32 Ancient Order of United Workmen float being pulled by a Commercial Distributing truck. Young ladies and children are riding on the float and greeting the crowd. This float received third place among the floats in the organizations and lodges division (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Ancient Order of United Workmen Puyallup Lodge No. 32 (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma;

Puyallup Valley's Daffodil Festival Parade along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma was a great success. View of the Tacoma City Light float with two daffodil swans in a floral decked boat, a woman is nestled among the daffodils. This float was the Grand Sweepstakes Winner out of 63 entries. The judges unanimously chose this float as the winner (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma; Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma);

The annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade had 63 entries that went along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. The Daffodil Festival would continue through the weekend with dances and a water regatta. View of the Spruce Veneer Company float with a daffodil sailboat docked to a pier, float is being pulled by a car (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Spruce Veneer Co. (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma;

1947 Daffodil Festival Parade along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. View of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce float covered in daffodils; two adults appear to be driving float, three children ride in back of float. This float received an honorable mention (T.N.T., 3/39/47, p. 1). TPL-8768

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma;

Daffodil Festival Parade along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, 63 entries participated in the Tacoma parade, many of the same entries would participate in the Puyallup and Sumner parades. View of the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club float. "Trees for Tomorrow ---Keep Washington Green" was the message posted on the Young Men's Business Club float. This float received second place among service clubs (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma;

A pet parade was sponsored by the Tacoma Lincoln Lions' Club July 26, 1947. The parade started at Lincoln Park and then proceeded through the business district. Awards were presented to contestants by business people of the Lincoln shopping district with free ice cream and balloons for all. Here a wagon, pulled by two matched horses, advertises Carstens Meats and their Lucky Dog Dog Food Contest.The lucky person to submit the best slogan for Lucky Dog would win $200. (T.Times, 7/24/1947, p.11)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Horse teams--Tacoma--1940-1950; Horses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1940-1950; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Hogan's Fine Foods (Tacoma); Pets;

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);

Renamed Veterans Day in 1953, November 11 was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. That year, on November 13, John Philip Sousa's band played in the Washington National Guard Armory in Tacoma and President Woodrow Wilson spoke there two months earlier. In 1947, a Military Ball was held on Armistice Day at the Armory, where more than 1,500 people were expected to attend. The presentation of colors to the local reserve units of the Army and Army Air Corps highlighted the evening. Army and Navy dignitaries and prominent civilian guests attended the event. View of ceremonies under way at the Armory (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 7).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Abbie J. Allison has just received the keys to the first 1949 Ford automobile, the car was delivered by Titus Motor Company. Three years ago, Abbie became the first owner in Pierce County of the first post war car, a 1946 Ford. View of Titus Motor Company's Ford Automobiles, Model N and 1949 Ford custom Tudor; Cameo Theatre's marquee featuring "Bandits of Dark Canyon" and "Northwest Outpost" in background; photo ordered by Sconce Advertising Agency (T. Times, 6/22/48, p. 5).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marquees--Tacoma; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Sconce Advertising (Tacoma);

Northwest Territory Centennial Parade. Float with covered wagon carrying State Centennial Queen Jackie. The float reads "They had faith and stout hearts" and represents the pioneering spirit of 1853. This was the most elaborate float in the parade. The covered wagon is being "driven" by State Centennial Queen Jackie Atkins of Port Orchard.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Atkins, Jackie;

Entry from the Tacoma Vocational Technical School in the 1952 Daffodil Festival parade. Women with daffodil-shaped bonnets and clothing resembling the leaves and stems of the golden blossoms ride on the float along with a man with a "scarf" of daffodils. The float is parked outside O'Farrell Distributors, wholesale liquor dealers.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma); Tacoma Vocational Technical School (Tacoma);

ca. 1952. Float sponsored by the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot for an unidentified parade, possibly May Day or Armed Forces Day, circa 1952. The float is populated by people dressed in costumes of different countries. It features cutouts of tanks and mobile units rolling up to the top of a globe emblazoned with "Unity, Strength, Freedom." The float is hung with red, white & blue bunting. Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot was located approximately 13 miles south of Tacoma between Ft. Lewis, Madigan Army Hospital and McChord Air Force Base. MROD was established in 1942 as a motor base to supply motorized equipment to the Western Defense Command. In addition, it received and repaired all motorized equipment from the Orient and Alaska. It was comprised of 3 warehouses, each more that 1/4 of a mile long, housing 80,000 different items ready for immediate shipment, and two large buildings containing shops and headquarters. It employed approximately 1,600 civilians ( a number that doubled during wartime.) TPL-10389

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot (Tacoma);

Seattle's entry in the 1952 Daffodil Festival Parade. Seattle's Seafair Queen rides majestically along on a float with a decidely nautical theme. She is seated in a giant shell adorned with a glittering starfish while fish announce her arrival with a flourish of trumpets.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1952 : Tacoma);

Military marching in formation during the May, 1951, Armed Forces Day parade. Spectators line the downtown streets to watch examples of America's military might pass by. In 1951, Armed Forces Day was only two years old, having been created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five military branches.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day;

The Armed Forces Day parade in downtown Tacoma occurred on May 19, 1951. Sailors with rifles march in formation followed by a group of Army or Air Force men.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sailors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day;

As shadows edge out into Pacific Avenue, they blend with the marching military units and vehicles during the 1951 Armed Forces Day parade. Everyone has paused, perhaps for the start of the parade. Honor guard is at front, followed by large groups of soldiers and other servicemen.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Armed Forces Day parade marching down Pacific Avenue in May of 1951. Prominent buildings on the left include the Rust Building and (Old) City Hall. Puget Sound National Bank Building is on the right. The Seaforth Highlanders from Vancouver, B.C., (lower center) provide pipe and drum entertainment for the crowds. Besides the various marching military units, jeeps and other vehicles were present.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching bands--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rust Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949, a single day set aside for festivities thanking our men in uniform for their duty to our country. During this 1951 Armed Forces Day parade, three units are seen as they prepare to turn from 9th Street onto Pacific Avenue. The Seaforth Highlanders from Vancouver, B.C., Canada's championship pipe and drum band, turn the corner while two military units follow. Vern's Sandwich Shop is seen on the corner.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Marching bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pipes (Musical instruments); Bagpipes;

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;

Pausing on its way out of town is the Jordan Baking Co. float on April 7, 1951. It is most likely heading for Puyallup and environs as part of the 1951 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade. The flower-bedecked float had as its theme "Jordan's Bread Fresh as a Daisy" which won it second place in the Commercial Division. Jordan's, with over 100 employees, was believed to be the state's largest independent bakery and known for their high quality, prize-winning bread. The young ladies on the float are not identified but company owner, Arthur K. Jordan is standing next to the float. The woman next to him may be Mrs. Jordan. (TNT 4-8-51, A-9, alt. photograph)

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Jordan, Arthur K.;

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company's 1951 Daffodil Parade float carried three lovely young ladies representing springtime. The float was a tribute to "Springtime" with two robins in the front, a flowering arbor, and giant butterfly wings. It was the Sweepstakes Winner that year.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Float #30, entitled "Springtime," won the Sweepstakes Award in the 1951 Daffodil Festival parade. The float had two large robins in the front and enormous butterfly wings at the rear with a young lady as part of its "body." Two other young misses carry metal watering cans as they pose next to a flowering arbor. This float was the creation of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Float #37 in the 1951 Daffodil Parade had as its theme, "Safety First." A small house, created out of daffodils and topped with shrubbery, was escorted by both a woman "fireman" and a smiling "devil." It was parked outside the Oxygen Sales & Service Co., sellers of oxygen and welding products.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade (1951 : Tacoma); Oxygen Sales & Service Co. (Tacoma);

Kappa Sigma fraternity's float "definitely stole the show," according to the News Tribune, during the 1951 Daffodil Parade. The fraternity from the College of Puget Sound provided smiles and laughter with a satire of the City Council and the current problems with vice conditions. "Council members' equipped with pistols waved to the crowd as "Senator Kefauver" shook his broom over their antics. Mayor John Anderson, the "Big John" so noted, joined in the crowd's laughter. (TNT 4-8-51, A-1-article; A-9-alt. photo.)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Kappa Sigma Fraternity (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);