1973 Daffodil Grand Parade. The lack of sunshine did not deter both participants and spectators for the 40th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade held on April 14, 1973. There were 27 floats, 10 mounted units, 33 bands and 25 drill teams to delight the waiting crowds. Entry #20 in the parade was "Universal Freedom" from Bates Vocational Technical Institute. A giant eagle hovers protectively over the three smiling riders aboard the King Alfred & Mt. Hood daffodil-decorated float. It would go on to win the Princess Trophy, awarded to the best float under 30 feet. (TNT 4-15-73, A-14-awards; TNT 4-15-73, B-7)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1973 Daffodil Festival Parade. The theme of the 40th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade was "Happiness Is." This unidentified float, one of 27 in the parade, adds to the theme with "To the Stars." The float is colorfully decorated in golden daffodils including several large stars and a mixture of blue and white flowers, possibly signifying the sky and clouds. Children dressed in multi-colored shawls and pretty dresses wave to the crowds lining Pacific Avenue.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1973 Daffodil Parade. New Westminister's entry in the 1973 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade was a replica of a smoke-bottle type fire engine, drawn by three white "horses" with saddles of golden daffodils. The Canadian city would have its own annual Hyack Festival the following month. The fire engine honored the memory of New Westminster's first firemen who were from the Hyack Fire Co., founded in 1863. It was fitting that two of the riders on the float were also from foreign countries: Annie Wright School students Keiko Noguchi (Japan) and Firouzeh Ladbon (Iran). "Happiness Is An Old Fire Engine" would win second prize in the "Floats from Other Festivals" category with the entry from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival coming in first. (TNT 4-12-73, A-2 -"Faces & Places--article;" TNT 4-15-73, A-14--notice of awards; TNT 4-15-73, D-9-notice of students)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fire engines--Canada;

1979 Daffodil Parade. Downtown Tacoma Association's entry in the 1979 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade consisted of a gathering of "superheroes," in various costumes. According to Richards Studio notes, they were (not all shown in photograph): Cliff Cook as Superman, Ms. Downtown Tacoma Joan Cook as Lois Lane, Dale Holden as Superwoman, Bruce Meyer as The Flash, Patty Richardson as Wonderwoman, Rohn Burgess as Zorro, Jim Wilhelmi, Jr. as Clark Kent, Chris Salatino as Isis, Skip Warren as Aquaman, Denise Robb as Batwoman, Duane Lindoff as Batman, Connie Buchanan as Jana, Donna Burgess as Catwoman and Jeff Lovely as Robin. "Superfriends in Super City" won the Commissioners' Trophy for best commercial float. (TNT 4-8-79, AA-2-article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade (1979 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. "Scouting is a Free Spirit" won the Princess Trophy for best float under 30-feet for the Mt. Rainier Council Boy Scouts of America. 60,000 white and yellow daffodils decorated the float. Six phases of scouting were represented aboard the float including Cub Scouts, Sea Scouts, Explorers and the handicapped. The drummer is with the "order of the arrow." Native American dancers were in step with the float.

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

1978 Daffodil Parade. Accompanied by marching Daffodilians, Daffodil Queen Janice Ash of Wilson High School and two of her royal court wave to the crowds gathered along Pacific Avenue during the 45th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Floral parade on April 8, 1978. They were aboard the 48-foot long by 14-foot wide Tacoma City Light float adorned with 60,000 golden daffodils. The Queen's float carried a spectacular 13-foot high exotic butterfly and Monarch butterflies that bobbed and swayed with the breeze. Graydon Bailey was the builder of the float which exemplified the festival's theme, "Free Spirit." (TNT 4-9-78, A-1 article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1978 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Ash, Janice; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. Weaving down Pacific Avenue to the delight of the many spectators was the Union Pacific Railroad's Diesel No. X-956 and miniature train. Built in the Omaha shops to a 3/8 scale in 1955, the gasoline powered train has since been a busy traveler with some 50 engagements per year. The train weighs less than 5 1/2 tons and is 84-feet long, 5'2" in height and 4-feet wide. Its turning radius is 32 feet. Pictured above during the 1978 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade is the yellow locomotive, boxcar, orange PFE car, black tank car and red gondola. The yellow caboose is not in sight. (Parade notes--Richards Studio)

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

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;

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. Performing before spectators lined several feet deep along Pacific Avenue were the 90-piece marching band members from Gov. John R. Rogers High School of Puyallup. Brilliant sunshine and low 50 degree weather greeted participants in the 45th Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade. The Rogers High School band was led by director Gary Jacobson (possibly the man walking in the foreground) and would perform two numbers.

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

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. The Judges Trophy for originality was awarded to the Orting Community's entry in the 1978 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade. It was one of the 33 floats entered in the parade. Orting had selected the theme "Lighter than Air" which was aptly displayed by the use of three flowered hot-air balloons floating on large white clouds. Several young ladies in pastels and white, possibly seniors at Orting High School, graced the float. The float measured 42-feet long, 11-feet wide and 13-feet high with some 35,000 white daffodils. The News Tribune noted in its front page parade article that it was a "crowd favorite." (TNT 4-9-78, A-1)

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

1978 Daffodil Festival Parade. The 30-member drill team from Gov. John R. Rogers High School in Puyallup march proudly down Pacific Avenue during the April, 1978, Daffodil Festival Parade. The school's 90-piece marching band follows. The Rogers High School entry was one of 12 marching units and drill teams participating in the parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1978 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Marching bands; Drill teams;

ca. 1908. McClintock's World Famous So. Tacoma Band. Men in costumes in parade on So. Union Ave. The vehicles and men cover from the sidewalk into the street. C.S. (Carl S.) Enger's hardware store, 5401 So. Union Ave., in background.

ca. 1910. McClintock's World Famous So. Tacoma Band. Men dressed in costumes for a parade. The bell of one of the horns says "So. Tacoma Tigers - Pacific Coast Champions, 1910"

Tacoma High School students parade to "Boost the Stadium." The campaign to raise $100,000 to build a beautiful high school stadium next to the school was successfully launched on October 6, 1908, when 2,000 school children ranging from 7th-8th grade to high schoolers marched in the "Boost for Stadium" parade. The school district cooperated by making the day a half-day so that the youngsters could march from Tacoma High School (later renamed Stadium High School) to the Union Club and then onto the downtown business district. Led by the Tacoma Musicians Union, who provided their services without charge, the marchers chanted "Boost for the stadium, stadium, stadium" and "Stadium, stadium, stadium, stadium" throughout the long walk. Paraders canvassed the business blocks of Commerce and "C" (now Broadway) and Pacific and would go on to canvas residential areas after school the next day. They asked businesses to contribute $10 promissory notes payable to the Board of Education. Each $10 entitled subscribers to one seat in the stadium for all entertainments there for the next five years. Supporters of the new stadium aimed to have it completed and ready for dedication and use by May 1, 1909. (TDL 10-6-1908, p. 5-article; TDL 10-7-1908, p.1-article)

This undated photograph featuring the Corner Club Girls rolling down Broadway at 9th Street is most probably of the historical pageant parade presented Labor Day 1934. The costumed lovelies are from Pioneer Days and are festooned in ruffles, bonnets and parasols. The Tacoma Corner Club was formed by Mrs. Percy C. Smith who served as advisor and was fondly referred to as "Mother Smith." The women of the Tacoma Corner Club hosted dinners, dances, plays, took classes in bookkeeping, first aid, shorthand, the Bible, among others, and supported one another. They presented a flag to the State Historical Society in 1933. The original club was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1917. (Additional information provided by a reader)

1941 Daffodil Queen. Posing with a large bouquet of daffodils and wearing a headpiece composed of the flowers is 18-year-old Pauline Martin of Sumner who was the 1941 Daffodil Festival Queen. "Queen Pauline I" was crowned on March 22, 1941, in Puyallup by J. Arthur Thompson, president of that year's festival. Governor Arthur Langlie was in attendance as well as Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, who served as toastmaster. Queen Pauline and her two attendants, Maxene Maddex of Lincoln High School and Doris Simonsen of Puyallup, would ride in the March 29th Daffodil Festival Parade. (TNT 3-21-41, p. 1)

Two young girls with bouquets of daffodils ride atop the Rotary Club of Tacoma's float in the 1940 Daffodil Parade. The focus point of the Rotary Club float is the gigantic globe, with the continents marked out with daffodils. The floats are lined up in a staging area prior to the parade. See Series D9587 image 19 for a Richards Studio photograph taken at almost the same exact time. TPL-2941

Sumner's entry in the 1940 Daffodil Parade was this floral cross section of a daffodil. Each daffodil petal is occupied by a girl. The girls wear white dresses. The float appears to be lined up in a staging area. One can only wonder if there were also five girls on the other side of the float, or if this float could only be fully appreciated from one side. The Tacoma Times calls the float a giant paddle wheel, a-la a Mississippi riverboat, with a girl in each paddle. See D9587 image 4 for another view of the float. (T. Times 3/30/1940, pg. 1)

ca. 1936. This float was entered by the city of Puyallup in the Daffodil Parade in the mid to late 1930s. Daffodils and crepe paper streamers cover the truck where uniformed Girl Scouts ride on the bed. The girls hold an American flag and a second flag, possibly the Washington state flag.

ca. 1938. This float was entered by the city of Sumner in a mid to late 1930's Daffodil Parade. The driver's head can be seen at the center of the float. In the back, two girls in Dutch costumes ride in chairs.

ca. 1935. The Rotary Club, almost always represented in the Daffodil Parade, entered this flower covered car in one of the early parades, most likely 1935. The automobile has so many flowers that even the wheels are covered with their own bouquets.

ca. 1935. This float was entered in one of the very early Daffodil Festival parades, most likely 1935. A grass covered car is topped by a daffodil basket in which sit two charming cherubs. The two children are dressed formally, he in top hat and tails and she in a white bonnet. The floats at this time period were very simple; usually flower covered cars or mounted on the flat beds of small trucks.

An enthusiastic crowd watched in awe as the first Daffodil Parade rolled by in 1934. The parade, designed to use the leftover daffodil blooms that were formerly thrown away when the bulb was harvested, has become a much anticipated annual feature of the spring festival. There has been a parade every year since 1934, with the exception of the war years of 1943, 1944 and 1945. In 1934, the parade consisted of decorated horses, bicycles, flower covered automobiles and a few floats. It started at Union Station and continued uptown. It later travelled to Puyallup, Sumner and Orting. In this photograph, two flower bedecked automobiles pass by delighted spectators.

On March 17, 1934 at 1:30p.m. in the afternoon, the first Daffodil Parade rolled out from Union Station, proceeded uptown through Tacoma and later through Puyallup, Sumner and Orting and on into history. There has been a parade every year since 1934, with the exception of the war years of 1943, 1944 and 1945. The parade in 1934 was composed of decorated horses, bicycles, automobiles and floats. This vehicle covered with the early spring blossom was sponsored by the Lions Club, a civic organization.

The organizers of the first Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival in March of 1934 were not above using a little "cheesecake" to advertise their fledgling flower festival. Three bathing beauties, left to right, Frankie Cowan, Betty Brumbaugh and Billye Fairchild, pose in a field of bright yellow daffodils as a promotion for the first annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival, March 17-18, 1934. The flower festival, loosely patterned on the Dutch flower festivals held around Easter, started with a small group of organizers and a budget of $600 and grew to one of America's oldest flower extravaganzas. TPL-9418

On this float in the 1936 Daffodil Parade, the flower vase has tipped over, sending the daffodils and the smiling girls they hold to the ground. Peeking around the edge of her flower is Mary Frances Cavanaugh, left, and in the other blossom is Weda Claire Dykeman. Mary Frances is the daughter of Cecil Cavanaugh, of Cavanaugh Lumber Co., and Weda Claire is the daughter of Doug Dykeman. (T. Times 4/20/1936, pg. 3)

The 1936 Daffodil court is getting out of their vehicle at the base of the reviewing stand on So. 10th Street & Pacific, a 35-feet-high, four-tiered structure covered with 200,000 daffodils. They will ascend to the first daffodil covered platform to view the parade as it passes by. The pylon was the photo opportunity of the third annual Daffodil Festival. The old bank building at 10th and Pacific, overhead streetcar wires, and the ruins of The Tacoma Hotel punctuate the background. (T. Times 4/20/1936, pg. 3)

Manning's Coffee supplied one of the most elaborate flower covered "floats" in the first annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade held on March 17, 1934. Still recovering from the Great Depression, most clubs and businesses were unable to contribute in a big way; decorated cars, busses, bicycles and horses were more common then traditional floats. Manning's Inc., located at 1102 Commerce, specialized in coffee; they also had a market at the same location and a restaurant at 258 So. 11th.

A young rider, dressed in chaps and a flower decorated hat, posed on a daffodil festooned horse ready to ride in the first annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade on March 17, 1934. The main viewing area was 11th & Pacific, where the parade passed with daffodil bedecked autos, busses, bicycles, carts and horses, as well as marching bands and drill teams. Still reeling from the Great Depression, business and club entries in the first parade were modest when compared to later years.

Governor Clarence D. Martin rides in an open car for the Labor Day parade in 1934. Gov. Martin sits on the left side of the rear seat of the automobile, beside him sits Mayor George Smitley's wife dressed in white; the man on the right is unidentified. Tacoma Mayor Smitley rides next to the driver in the front seat. The group rides past the Bostwick Building, 755-71 Saint Helens Ave., at this time occupied by William Whetstone, the Credit Dentist. In the background, streetcars are parked to accomodate the passing of the parade. Later the same group would oversee the dedication of the relocated and reconstructed Fort Nisqually at Point Defiance.