The Queen and her court on the Tacoma City Light float make the turn onto Pacific Avenue to the delight of thousands of spectators viewing the 1957 Daffodil Parade. Escorted by dapper caped men, the Portland Rosarians, Daffodil queen Janice Methven of Lincoln High School and princesses are seated on a slender barge of blossoms, with an enormous eye-catching lyre as the backdrop. The theme of the 24th annual Daffodil Festival was "Melodies in Daffodils". 60,000 King Alfred daffodils decorated the float "Pomp and Circumstance", including a fountain spraying streams of golden flowers. Photograph ordered by Tacoma City Light. (TNT 4-13-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Methven, Janice;

Sporting a very patriotic theme, the U.S. Army Reserve float was one of 47 entries in the 1957 Daffodil Parade. A giant eagle perches majestically aboard the float while Diane Ryan, Fife High School senior and newly elected Queen of the Army Reserve, and her four princesses wave and smile at the crowds thronging Pacific Avenue. As with all entered floats, only blossoms were used as decorations with other natural items, such as woods and foliage. 40,000 daffodils were used on the float which won first place in the Armed Services division. Photograph ordered by the U.S. Army Reserve. (TNT 4-14-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Patriotism; Ryan, Diane;

Crowds line the streets of downtown Tacoma to view the Lions Club entry cruise by during the 1957 Daffodil Parade. Children in sailor suits, possibly those of club members, frolic on the bright yellow tug. Even the smokestack and floating device are made of compressed daffodils. 50,000 daffodils were used for "On the Good Ship Lollipop". The Lions Club entry was awarded 3rd place among Service Clubs. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Lions Club. (TNT 4-14-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Spectators--Tacoma; Lions Club (Tacoma);

Keep the Home Fires Burning was the Oil Information Committee of Pierce County's entry in the 1957 Daffodil Parade. A profusion of daffodils decorate this float with the vehicle pulling the float completely covered with flowers. A smaller truck advertising oil heat is also bedecked with blossoms as well as the little girl's house. The small child keeps a firm grip on the lamppost as the parade continues down Pacific Avenue. This entry won first place in the Wholesale and Industrial Division. Photograph ordered by the Oil Information Committee of Pierce County. (TNT 4-14-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Oil Information Committee of Pierce County (Tacoma);

Sponsored by the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., Dorothy and friends on the "Over the Rainbow" float pass by 9th & Pacific during the 1957 Daffodil Parade. Rain or shine, the parade always brought out thousands of spectators. Those sitting on Morley Studio's upstairs sign and the marquee next door had excellent views. Crowds of 200,000 saw the 24th annual parade proceed through Tacoma, Puyallup and Summer. The 60 foot "Over the Rainbow" float won the inaugural President Award Plaque for the best use of daffodils. Katherine Bennett, 13, of Olympia was chosen to portray "Dorothy." Photograph ordered by St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (TNT 4-13-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Spectators--Tacoma; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Peter Cottontail and pals wave to spectators as the Shop Rite Food Centers prize-winning float continues on its Daffodil Parade route on April 13, 1957. A 7 foot Peter is seated before an enormous yellow daffodil; his assistants, dressed in bunny outfits, are perched in flower shells. Judy Roetker, in flowing evening gown, sits among the field of daffodils. "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" was given the Sweepstakes Parade Award at the 24th annual Daffodil Parade. The float was the biggest allowed under parade rules at 39 feet long, 16 feet wide and 14 feet tall. 60,000 daffodils and 6,000 Esther Reed daisies graced the enormous float. Photograph ordered by West Coast Grocery Co. (TNT 4-13-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shop Rite Food Centers (Tacoma); West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma);

An out-of-town entry in the 1957 Daffodil Parade was a float sponsored by the Beach Haven Resort on Orcas Island. The large float was decorated in daffodils and green foliage. It had a castle on the top level and the slogan, "Where Your Vacation Dreams Come True." Photograph ordered by Beach Haven Resort.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Beach Haven Resort (Orcas Island); Signs (Notices);

A genuine cable car from the Municipal Railway of San Francisco was the Steve's Gay '90s entry in the 1957 Daffodil Parade. A Dixieland band on board entertains parade spectators while women and children, dressed in costumes of long ago, peer out of the conveyance. A multitude of daffodils cover the base of the cable car. View of Steve's entry as it passes 11th & Pacific; the 11th Street Bridge is in the background. Photograph ordered by Steve's.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cable railroads--Tacoma; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau's 1957 Daffodil Parade float entitled "Symphony" featured a king-sized violin with a lyre. Margaret Strachan, the 1956 Daffodil queen, graciously waves to the parade watchers as the float passes on Pacific Avenue near 11th St. United Savings Bank and the Perkins Bldg. are in the background. 32,000 daffodils were employed on this float, which won first place in the Retail division. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau. (TNT 4-14-57, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau (Tacoma); Strachan, Margaret;

Can-can girls strut to the tunes of Dixieland as they march alongside the entry from Steve's Cafe (better known as Steve's Gay '90s) in the 1957 Daffodil Parade. Daffodils cover the front and sides of the genuine San Francisco cable car. Women and children, possibly members of the owners' families, peer out of the slowly moving unit as the band plays on. Photograph ordered by Steve's.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cable railroads--Tacoma; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);

Entry #49 in the 1957 Daffodil Parade was the charming "Hi Diddle Diddle" float sponsored by the Independent Order of Foresters. A cat fiddles merrily away as a cow attempts to jump over the crescent moon. The dog has his mouth open in a wide smile while the dish extends its arms to an unseen spoon. This float took 2nd place for the Nursery Rhyme Division. Photograph ordered by the Independent Order of Foresters. (TNT 4-14-57, B-8)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1957 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Independent Order of Foresters 327 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of the Sons of Norway salute the crowds lining Pacific Avenue near 11th during the 1958 Daffodil Parade. The men are standing behind shields on their Viking ship and are dressed for battle. United Mutual Savings Bank, Household Finance, and the new Selden's location can be spotted in the background.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma);

Float #13 in the 1958 Daffodil Parade was entitled "Alaska's Future in Oil" and was sponsored by the Pierce County Oil Information Committee. The float emphasized Alaska's vast oil resources and its desire to become our 49th state. Three children dressed in identical hoods and warm clothing, perhaps reflecting the future population of the forthcoming state, were seated on the float.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Pierce County Oil Information Committee (Tacoma);

Throngs line Pacific Avenue outside Hopper-Kelly, Washington Camera Mart and Horluck's to admire the entries in the 1958 Daffodil Parade. Passing slowly by was Float #30, sponsored by the Savings & Loan Associations of Tacoma, the top Sweepstakes Award winner. "Cinderella", Kathy Gustafson, rode in an open carriage pulled by four prancing horses, preceded by the smiling Fairy Godmother, Naoma Williams. Joann Greer was the pre-ball Cinderella. At 70 feet the longest float in the parade, the Savings & Loan Associations float was covered with 60,000 daffodils. The Daffodil Festival theme that year was "Fairy Tales in Daffodils." (TNT 4-12-58, A-1, TNT 4-13-58, A-1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Savings & Loan Associations of Tacoma (Tacoma);

What would be a parade be without drill teams? An unidentified group of little girls and teenagers perform a routine for the huge crowds attending the 25th annual Daffodil Parade. Strutting down Pacific Avenue, they lift their knees high and hold their batons upright as they smile at their large audience. Brilliant sunshine accompanied their endeavors.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Drill teams;

Tacoma Indian Hospital's entry in the 1958 Daffodil Parade was entitled "Legend of Hiawatha." Seated under a rainbow arch of blossoms is Hiawatha and his bride, Minnehaha, both dressed in Native American garments. The Hiawatha float, accompanied by special music, won first place in the "Other Clubs and Organizations" division. The theme for the 1958 parade was "Fairy Tales in Daffodils." (TNT 4-13-58, B-9)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Tacoma Indian Hospital (Tacoma);

Thousands of local residents flocked to downtown Tacoma to enjoy both the sunshine and the many dazzling floral floats in the 1958 Daffodil Parade. Pierce County Oil Information Committee's Float #33 was evidently "The Old Woman in a Shoe". Wearing a shawl and granny glasses, the shoe's owner is apparently keeping her eye on the four visible children seated on the flower-bedecked float. The float won second place in the Wholesale and Industrial Division. There were forty floats entered in various divisions among 100+ parade entries. (TNT 4-13-58, B-9)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1958 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma; Pierce County Oil Information Committee (Tacoma);

The twelve 1959 Daffodil Festival Princesses, representing Tacoma, Sumner, Puyallup and Orting, pose in the daffodil fields of the Francis Chervenka family farm on the east side of the Sumner-Orting Highway. Kneeling is Carol Mills, representing Franklin Pierce High School. Seventeen year old Carol was selected to reign as the 1959 Daffodil Queen in April. The standing princesses are left to right Sandra Lilyblad of Sumner, Lani Torre of Wilson H.S., Chris Rupp of Sumner, Julie Wahlgren of Stadium H.S., Caryn Chervenka of Puyallup, Sally Yoder of Sumner, Shelia Keogan of Puyallup, Jo Anne Tatum of Clover Park H.S., Gail Christenson of Puyallup, Anita Johnson of Lincoln H.S. and Gail Eagan of Orting. The 26th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival would take place April 6-12, 1959. It was a salute to Alaska, the newest state. The princesses are dressed in daffodil yellow full skirted dresses with white parka jackets. The jackets are the festival's abbreviated version of an Alaskan parka, designed by Norma Coquillette. They can be worn with hoods, or the hoods can be folded back into a shawl collar. (TNT 2/18/1959, pg. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1959); Mills, Carol; Lilyblad, Sandra; Torre, Lani; Rupp, Chris; Wahlgren, Julie; Chervenka, Caryn; Yoder, Sally; Keogan, Shelia; Tatum, Jo Anne; Christenson, Gail; Johnson, Anita; Eagan, Gail;

Scenes from the 27th Daffodil Parade. Queen Diane Harkness, 17, of Lincoln High School and her attendants on the Tacoma City Light float, "Diamond Head," on April 9, 1960. 51,000 gold King Alfred and white Mt. Hood daffodils formed a replica of the famous Hawaiian landmark, Diamond Head, on the Queen's float which has traditionally been built by the Public Utilities department of the City of Tacoma. Queen Diane is seated on a majestic throne flanked by stately palms and four large orchid drum flowers. Six Daffodil princesses cluster around their queen wearing orchid leis and carrying daffodil bouquets. The 50 degree sharp breezy weather did not deter the daffodil royalty from smiling and waving happily to thousands of spectators lining the streets. (TNT 4-8-60, p. 1, 4-9-60, p. 1, 4-10-60, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1960 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Harkness, Diane;

Even the clowns riding on a tandem bicycle stare in awe at the Insured Savings & Loan Assns. of Tacoma's "sand-and-palm tree" float #19 entered in the April 9, 1960, 27th Daffodil Parade. Five lovely ladies sit among the hundreds of daffodils and wave to the packed crowds lining up at 10th & Pacific Avenue. The float, "Hawaiian Wedding Song," won the Festival Award for depicting the best parade theme. The 48' float had a lush tropical setting which showed a wedding party with a tiki god at the rear watching over the proceedings. (TNT 4-9-60, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1960 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Insured Savings & Loan Associations of Tacoma (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Real Estate Board shared some "aloha" spirit with Tacoma during the 27th Daffodil Parade when their daffodil-bedecked float, "Happi Time," proceeded past the Greyhound station at 1319 Pacific Avenue on April 9, 1960. Eight young ladies, adorned with leis, waved to the crowd lined several deep on the sidewalk. The theme of the Daffodil Festival was "Daffodils Salute Hawaii;" this float used thousands of daffodils on the catamaran and boathouse to create a happy, tropical atmosphere. It was awarded first prize in the Clubs & Organizations Division. (TNT 4-10-60, B-8)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1960 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Real Estate Board (Tacoma);

Tacoma Real Estate Board float. Waving to the crowds, oars at rest, are members of the Tacoma Real Estate Board participating in the 27th Daffodil Parade on April 9, 1960. The float is passing North Coast Hotel and Eastern Electroplating at 14th & Pacific Avenue. The News Tribune called the float a "Catamaran on a Sea of Daffodils," as sixty thousand daffodils were used for decoration. Entitled "Happi Time," the entry won first prize in the Clubs and Organizations Division. The parade theme in 1960 was "Daffodils Salute Hawaii" in honor of the 50th state; Hawaii Lt. Gov. James K. Kealoha was the parade's grand marshal. (TNT 4-10-60, B-8)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1960 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Real Estate Board (Tacoma);

Royal Court, 1960 Daffodil Parade. Five Daffodil princesses sit on giant hibiscus blossoms amidst 25,000 daffodils and wave to the large crowds lining up on Pacific Avenue at the Greyhound station on April 9, 1960. The large star on the Puyallup community's float commemorates the entry of Hawaii as the 50th state. "Daffodils Salute Hawaii" had been chosen as the festival theme and the festival welcomed Hawaii's Lt. Gov. James K. Keahola as the parade's grand marshal. The Fife Trojan marching band and majorettes follow the royal court which consisted of Peggy Root of Puyallup, Sharon McCoy and Margaret Dudley of Sumner, Madeline Shouse of Orting and Martha Barringer from Stadium High School. The two-hour parade in Tacoma featured 31 floats, 28 bands, 30 drill teams, eight decorated cars, six mounted units and two drum & bugle corps. (TNT 4-9-60, p. 1, 4-10-60, B-8)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1960 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970;

50 uniformed members of the Lincoln High School band strut their stuff accompanied by a drum major, baton twirler and cheerleaders during the 1961 Daffodil Parade. Spectators are thickly clustered on both sides of the 900 block of Pacific Avenue. Temperatures were in the chilly 50's but did not dampen the crowd's and participants' high spirits. The theme of the 28th annual parade was "Wonders of the World." (TNT 4-8-61, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1961 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Marching bands; Drum majors--Tacoma; Baton twirling--Tacoma;

The Queen's float, created by the Department of Public Utilities, was traditionally the first float in the parade and the 1961 Daffodil Parade was no exception. Accompanied by parade marshals, the Daffodil Queen, 17-year-old Carmel Mackin of Puyallup High School, and her six attendants wave gracefully to the spectators lined deep on Pacific Avenue. Sixty thousand daffodils were used on the float which included a spurting fountain. Temperatures in the chilly 50's and gusty winds did not dissuade thousands of parade goers from watching the 28th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade. (TNT 4-8-61, p. 1, TNT 4-9-61, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1961 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mackin, Carmel;

Marching proudly past the Greyhound station at 1319 Pacific Avenue are a 25-piece band and separate drill team during the 1961 Daffodil Parade. These young men may have been part of a local R.O.T.C. unit. Spectators by the thousands had lined the streets of downtown Tacoma to view the annual parade. The 28th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade featured 31 floats, 25 bands and 37 drill teams among other entrants. The gray, overcast skies and temperatures in the 50's did not seem to hamper either parade participants or watchers. (TNT 4-8-61, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1961 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Marching bands; Drill teams;

St. Regis Paper Co. float in 1962 Daffodil Parade. Four ladies in elegant evening gowns wave to the throngs gathered to watch the 29th annual Daffodil Parade as it slowly travels through the streets of downtown Tacoma. The St. Regis float, bedecked with 40,000 daffodils, is passing the 900 block of Pacific Avenue as this photograph was snapped. Entitled "Universe of Science," the float depicted the five science pavilion towers at the (Seattle) World's Fair, a large reflection pool and three live fountains. It was one of 30 floats that saluted the upcoming Century 21 Exposition and captured second place in the parade's commercial division. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 4-7-62, p. 1, 4-8-62, B-9)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1962 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1960-1970;

A giant bird of peace is at the foreground of the Tacoma Vocational Technical Institute's entry in the 1964 Daffodil parade. "Peace Among Nations" is the float's motto. Three lovely ladies wave to the throngs watching the parade while two soldiers provide an escort. This was the 31st Daffodil parade. 33 floats using more than two million daffodils, 24 bands including two from Oregon, 17 marching units, and seven mounted units were televised live on KTNT-TV and viewed in person by thousands in Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting. (TNT 4-10-64, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970;

With cheerful waves, St. Regis Paper Co.'s entry in the 1964 Daffodil parade slowly passes through the downtown streets of Tacoma during the 31st annual event. Billowing tapestry and flowered canopies and fountains decorated this beautiful float. St. Regis, for the second year in a row, won the Sweepstakes Award. The float, "Kismet," with 70,000 daffodils on board, was built by company employees. It featured the harems of ancient India with a large dome, chiffon curtains, and stately attendants. An elaborate peacock tail constructed of wrought iron was at the front of the 55' float. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 4-11-64, p. 1, TNT 4-12-64, A-9)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1960-1970;

The people sitting comfortably in the window of Sauro's Cleanerama, 1401-05 Pacific Ave., were spared the cold, blustery winds on this day in April of 1964, and had a good view of the 31st annual Daffodil Parade as it passed by. The young ladies on this particular float seem to be struggling to keep their parasols open and not blown off course. The theme of 1964's parade was "Nations on Parade," but floats like the above also saluted Washington State's 75th anniversary of statehood.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1964 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sauro's Cleanerama (Tacoma);