Golden sunbeams burst onto Puget Sound in April of 1954 as the annual Marine Parade concluded Daffodil Festival activities. Crowds crowded Tacoma's shoreline to see the colorful marine floats. This particular entry had a distinctly tropical theme, with palm trees, flowers and even a hula dancer cutout on display. There were many passengers on board enjoying the brisk air and beautiful scenery. Besides the parade of more than 200 boats, there was also a sailboat race; only two of the 16 boats entered in the race finished the 11 mile course. Tom Sias' Lady Luck was the winner with Bill Brasier's Aurora second. Photograph ordered by the TNT. (TNT 4-12-54, p. 1, 16-articles)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;

The 1954 Puget Sound Daffodil Regatta awarded the grand prize for visiting boats to Chester Gibson, owner of the Hilma III, an entry from the Queen City Yacht Club of Seattle. It depicted Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, and his chariot of sea horses. The boat was smothered in daffodils with an attached sign reading "U.S. Coat Guard Auxiliary." A sailboat race, colorful exhibition by the City fireboat, and the parade of floats concluded the Daffodil Festival which was enjoyed by thousands viewing the proceedings from nearby surroundings. Photograph ordered by the TNT. (TNT 4-12-54, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954: Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Naval parades & ceremonies--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; Marine Parade;

The Tacoma Elks were perennial entrants in the Daffodil Parade. In 1954, their float was festooned with blossoms, including the elks' reins and sides of the wagon. Washington "vacation land" seemed to be their theme that year; members involved are wearing fishing and skiing attire. There were 52 floats entered; awards were given in many categories. While the Tacoma Naval Station won the Sweepstakes award, the Elks entry did capture first place in Fraternal Groups. (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The annual Daffodil Parade attracted participants from all over the state. Entry #55 in the 1954 parade belonged to the Hanford, Washington, Knights of Pythias organization. A flower bedecked and fringed automobile slowly pulled a daffodil covered pyramid with the large letter "C" along Pacific Avenue past spectators in front of the National Bank of Washington building.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Knights of Pythias (Hanford); Fraternal organizations;

Two horsemen representing the Tacobat Grotto fraternal organization lead the way for a small horse and cart publicizing the benefit show for the handicapped to be held on May 16, 1954. The tiny cart is well covered with daffodils, including the wheels, as it marches along in the 21st annual Daffodil Parade. There were 135 marching units of all varieties taking part in addition to 52 floats.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacobat Grotto (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Horses--Tacoma;

Bathing beauties on the Rhodes Brothers Department Store ocean-themed float wave happily to the packed reviewing stands during the 1954 Daffodil Parade. Over 100,000 people turned out to watch the 21st annual parade and television stations provided access to thousands more. The Rhodes entry was awarded first place in the Retail division. (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Lakewood Center's float in the 1954 Daffodil Parade continued the theme of promoting Washington as a vacation paradise. Skiing, skating, boating & fishing, swimming and golfing were healthy outdoor activities available to locals and visitors alike. Participants in boating, fishing and golfing stood under a flowered carousel with the sign "It's vacation time all the time in vacationland." A newer award, the Festival award honoring the float best portraying the festival's theme, was given to the Lakewood Center Businessmen's Association for this float. (TNT 4-11-54, p. 1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1954 : Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Community Center (Lakewood);

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);

Daffodil Parade, Times. A daffodil horse and buggy from the gay '90's tell us that, "All Roads Lead to Rhodes". Rhodes Department Store won 3rd place in the commercial division with this entry. (TNT, 4/3/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma; Carriages & coaches--Tacoma;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The 3rd District of the Veterans of Foreigh Wars won 1st place for organizations and lodges other than service clubs for their float in 1948. They announced their state convention in Tacoma June 23 -26. (TNT, 4/3/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Veterans of Foreign Wars (Tacoma); Emblems; Veterans organizations--Tacoma;

Daffodil Parade, Times. Tacoma Vocational-Technical School won a special commendation in 1948 for their float which included a model of the new vocational school crowning their entry. (TNT, 4/3/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma); Architectural models;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The Junior Chamber of Commerce reminded the crowd that it will require research and education to "Fight to Conquer Cancer".

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Cancer--Tacoma;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The Golden Arrow Archery Club depicted Robin Hood and his merry band with several members on the float in costume. A large circular target is shown at the rear of the float. Several members are walking ahead of the float pulling ropes. Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant and Tavern is seen on the opposite side of the street as well as an entrance to a pool parlor.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Golden Arrow Archery Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma; Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant & Tavern (Tacoma);

Daffodil Parade, Times. Tacoma's Women's Clubs sponsored a float for the Freedom Train that was making its way around the United States carrying copies of 127 great American documents important to the history of the United States for citizens to see. The Freedom Train, sponsored by the American Heritage Foundation, was to be in Tacoma April 8, 1948. A man stands in front of the float dressed as an engineer. (T.Times, 4/1/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Freedom Train;

1948 Daffodil Parade, Times. Roses and daffodils tumble from the Horn of Plenty depicting Tacoma as the City of Plenty.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Cornucopias; Roses;

Five children, bundled up against the cold, sit on the curb to watch the 15th Annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Parade. Held on April 3, 1948, thousands of Tacomans and out-of-town visitors lined Broadway and Pacific Avenues to watch the 100-unit parade. Ted Brown, the chairman of the festival, estimated that 1,000,000 daffodils were used to decorate the many floats. The Daffodil Queen, Doreen Moody, shared the attention of the crowd with Gretchen Fraser, who had just won a gold medal at the 1948 Winter Olympics. TPL-9606

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children & adults--Tacoma; Coats; Hats--1940-1950; Neckties;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The Afifi Shrine Circus float showed three members seated in thrones wearing turbans, long beards and decorated robes while two others are dressed as island natives under a palm tree with fans to cool the nobles. They are displaying their neon emblem on the side of their float. (TNT, 4/3/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Afifi Shrine Circus (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Daffodil Parade, Times. The Amvets float represented a tank and a young woman waves to the crowd from the top. A band is in front of Peoples store heading past the Puget Sound Bank Building along Pacific Avenue. In all 1/2 million daffodils were used in the parade. One hundred floats, bands, mounted posses, and marchers appeared in the fifteenth annual parade.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Amvets Club (Tacoma); Veterans organizations--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Daffodil Parade, Times. The crowd is dispersing after the parade along Pacific Avenue. The parade had a 2 mile march line. The Cameo Theater and Bragets Auto Supply are seen on the left. A large number of people are crossing Pacific in the background at 11th Street. TPL-9923

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma;

Daffodil Parade, Times. Queen Doreen Moody and Princesses Joy Lundgren and Jerene Fly are seated on the royal float. They have had a busy week. The 15th annual Daffodil Festival began March 29, 1948. Coronation took place on March 2nd at Sumner High School. Parades through Tacoma, Sumner and Puyallup and a flower show took place March 3rd. The yacht parade and sail boat races on Commencement Bay took place March 4th and a ski race at Paradise Valley on Mount Rainier also took place on March 4th. (TNT, 3/30/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Moody, Doreen; Fly, Jerene; Lundgren, Joy; Queens; Princesses; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Daffodil Parade, Times. Queen Doreen Moody (a junior at Sumner High School) and Princesses Jerene Fly (from Puyallup High School) and Joy Lundgren (a senior at Stadium High School) are riding on a float specially prepared for them by City Light. Queen Doreen wearing a crown of daffodils and a dark robe sits next to the upward facing trumpet of the large daffodil whose petals form the seats for Princess Jerene and Princess Joy. A few members of one of the bands performing in the parade are seen in the background. (TNT, 4/3/1948, p.1)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Moody, Doreen; Fly, Jerene; Lundgren, Joy; Queens; Princesses; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Daffodils--Tacoma; Teenagers--Tacoma;

Daffodil Queen Doreen Moody (second from right) and two of her princesses look on as Charles F. Wolf, chairman of the Hawaii committee of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce hands United Airlines hostess Katherine A. McDonald four boxes of Puyallup valley daffodils. In April of 1948, the Chamber of Commerce sent their sister organization in Honolulu a beautiful shipment of locally grown flowers to help advertise the up-coming Daffodil Festival. The United Airlines office was located in the Hotel Winthrop. The three members of the Daffodil court pictured are: (l to r) Princess Jerene Fly, Queen Doreen Moody and Princess Joy Lundgren. (T.Times, 4/2/1948, p.1)

Daffodils--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1948 : Tacoma); Fly, Jerene; Moody, Doreen; Lundgren, Joy; Wolf, Charles; McDonald, Katherine; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping;

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);

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);

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;

The annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade was a great success. With more than sixty entries in the Tacoma parade, the judges had a hard time selecting which ones should be sweepstakes winners. An estimated 600,000 daffodils were used on parade floats. View of the Titus Ford float, decorated by Fisk Flag and Decorating Company, four people ride in a daffodil covered Ford (T.N.T., 3/30/47, p. 1).

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Fisk Flag & Decorating Co. (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

1947 Daffodil royalty. Hand-tinted portrait of Queen Joan 1, Joan Eidson of Puyallup High School (center) and her princesses, Patricia (Patsy) Buffum (L) of Lincoln High School and Patricia (Pat) McMahon of Sumner High School. All three young women were seniors at their respective high schools. (T.Times 3-25-47, p. 1-article and alternate picture) ALBUM 15.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Eidson, Joan; Buffum, Patricia; McMahon, Patricia;

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;

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;

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;