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.

Tacoma loves a good parade and Labor Day of 1934 was no exception. The Chamber of Commerce float bears Miss Tacoma, Queen of the Labor Day festivities and the Seattle Potlatch, Roberta Cohoon, down the parade route. She is attended by Margie Christen, left, and Eleanor Layton. The parade preceded the dedication ceremony for the relocated and restored Fort Nisqually. (TDL 9/4/1934, pg. 1)

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)

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)

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"

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. 1969. 1969 Richards stock footage. Float acknowledging the famous Foss family of Tacoma, probably photographed in the annual Daffodil Festival parade of 1969. Revolving portrait of Henry Foss along with an enlarged photograph of a Foss tug on serene Commencement Bay were displayed on the flower-bedecked float. Three women dressed in antique clothing may be portraying members of the Foss family. This was the smaller portion of a two-section float sponsored by the St. Regis Paper Co.; the float would win the Grand Award for the Daffodil Festival. St. Regis chose to honor Mr. Foss and his family for their contributions to Tacoma. Color photograph has been marked by blue ink.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986--Associated objects;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Representing the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle, the nation's only Filipino American drill team marched in the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. Members of the girls' Princesa Drill Team, teenage boys' Cumbancheros, and younger boys' Mandaya wore costumes patterned after the Moro or indigenous tribal dress of the Mindanao in the southern Philippines. Drill commands were issued in seven Filipino dialects besides four other languages.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Drill teams;

Tacoma celebrated its 100th anniversary with eight days of fun for the entire family in June of 1969. On June 28th a grand parade travelled down Pacific Avenue. Sitting atop the backseat of a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville convertible Chief Robert "Bob" Satiacum of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians waved to the crowds enjoying the Tacoma Centennial Parade. Chief Satiacum is wearing a headdress; the other man seated next to him is unidentified. Chief Satiacum was an Indian rights activist and an advocate of native treaty fishing rights. He would pass away in 1991 at the age of 62.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Satiacum, Robert; Indians of North America--Puyallup; Pontiac automobile;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. One of the outstanding non-float entries on display during the June, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade was the Command Module 101 accompanied by the McChord AFB Honor Guard. The Command Module was a spacecraft built for NASA and used for the Apollo program; it would house the crew and equipment necessary for re-entry.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Space vehicles;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. The theme of the June 28, 1969, parade was "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" with entries alluding to those time frames. Representing the past was the Foremost Stage Lines coach drawn by four ponies. The horses were owned and driven by J. H. Lawson. His co-driver, holding rifle, was not identified.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Stagecoaches--Tacoma; Lawson, J.H.; Ponies;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Traveling from Seattle for the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade was that city's fire department entry, an antique fire engine. This was originally an 1898 horse-drawn pumper. It was motorized in 1914 and then rebuilt in 1964 by off-duty Seattle Fire Department employees at their own expense. The fire pump had a capacity of 750 gallons per minute.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment; Fire fighters;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Spectators oohed and ahhed at the sight of these antique automobiles during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. Both the Tacoma chapter of the Model "T" Club and members of the Galloping Gertie Model "A" Club drove their basic-black vehicles sedately down Pacific Avenue. This group is believed to be the Model "T" Club. Even the drivers and passengers were dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing to the added enjoyment of thousands of parade viewers.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Ford automobile;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Purchased by the City of Tacoma in 1890, this horse-drawn patrol wagon was used for 18 years by the city's police force. It has been restored as close as possible to its original form. Overall length of the paddy wagon was 23 feet. On board during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade were Tacoma's own Keystone Kops. (TNT 6-29-69, p. 1)

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

Tacoma celebrated its 100th anniversary with eight days of fun for the entire family in June of 1969. On June 28th a grand parade travelled down Pacific Avenue. Sitting atop the backseat of a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville convertible Chief Robert "Bob" Satiacum of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians waved to the crowds enjoying the Tacoma Centennial Parade. Chief Satiacum is wearing a headdress; the other man seated next to him is unidentified. Chief Satiacum was an Indian rights activist and an advocate of native treaty fishing rights. He would pass away in 1991 at the age of 62.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Satiacum, Robert; Indians of North America--Puyallup; Pontiac automobile;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson and Mrs. Jackson acknowledge the thousands lining the streets of downtown Tacoma during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. They were riding in an antique automobile, believed to be a Model T. Washington's congressional delegation appeared in force at the parade with Senator Warren G. Magnuson and U.S. Representative Floyd Hicks also in attendance.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Jackson, Henry M., 1912-1983; Legislators--Washington--1960-1970; Ford automobile;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Entry #17 was the float sponsored by the International Order of Job's Daughters, Bethel 27. Accompanied by the chapter's drill team, the queen and her court, dressed in regalia, waved to spectators massed alongside Pacific Avenue on Saturday, June 28, 1969. Job's Daughters have a Masonic heritage and are comprised of young women between the ages of 10 and 20.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Drill teams;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Capturing the award for "best built float" was the Royal City Float. This entry had traveled all the way from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Seated on the float was Miss Royal City for 1968-69, Mary Ellen Kinsey. The Canadian float was one of 23 floats in the June, 1969, parade.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Kinsey, Mary Ellen;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Thousands of area residents lined the streets of downtown Tacoma to watch history pass in review. The two-hour parade started from Stadium High School, headed south on Stadium Way and Pacific Ave. to 21st and Pacific. The bells in the Old City Hall clock tower started ringing at 10 a.m. and continued until the color guard passed. Although the sky was dark and threatening, it did not rain and spectators were able to enjoy the parade under cool and dry conditions. The June 28, 1969, parade was a mixture of 23 floats, 25 horse units, 16 bands, 13 drill teams and about 40 antique automobiles. Standing several rows deep along Pacific near 11th, parade watchers saw the McChord AFB honor guard plus units from other services accompany the Command Module 101 above. (TNT 6-29-69, p. 1)

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Celebrating onboard a 1926 Doane Flatbed truck is a small Dixieland band and several ladies, courtesy of the Seattle Transfer & Storage Co. The morning's cloudy conditions did not deter the group, and spectators, from enjoying the music and all the sights of the Tacoma Centennial Parade. The truck holding the group was in daily use until 1947. It didn't move very quickly but had a tremendous load capacity.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. "Special Delivery" was the aptly titled float sponsored by the Post Office Centennial Belles. Employees were dressed in 19th century costumes as they strolled next to the red "locomotive;" while a beautifully dressed young family rode on the float. Two modern day postal trucks accompanied the entry, depicting postal service from past to present.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; United States Post Office (Tacoma); Post offices--Tacoma;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. June 28, 1969, was selected as the date of Tacoma's Centennial Parade, honoring the city on its 100th birthday. One of the many outstanding entries in the parade was the Minnetonka, Northern Pacific Railway's first locomotive. Measuring 28 feet long, 11 feet 2 inches from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the smoke stack, the Minnetonka weighed about 14 tons. It cost $6,700 at the time of purchase in July of 1870. The Minnetonka was still in perfect running condition although only used for exhibitions. Local residents also had the chance to view the Minnetonka during the 1969 Daffodil Festival parade.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Tacoma City Light's "Progress of Power" float won the Sweepstakes Award for the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. It depicted the power generation from 1893 to the 21st century. At the float's center is a model of the Mossyrock Dam which was dedicated in May of 1969. The rear of the float had a representation of City Light's first generation facility built in Gallagher's Gulch in 1884. Leading the float (not pictured) was Graydon Bailey. Centennial Belles on board were Arlene Klein, Sharon Jenkins, Marion Plaquet, Jean Callison, Wilma Kowalchuk and Elizabeth Sand. John Purvis and John Canonica escorted the float.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Entries from the American Indians of the Tacoma Area included a mixture of Native American tribes of North America. They sponsored a float (not shown) entitled "Tacoma's First People" which represented the Puyallup, Colville, Yakima, Umatilla, Muckelshoot, Kaw and Nisqually as well as Arizona's Navajo and Oklahoma's Cree tribes. A group of Native Americans wearing ceremonial dress are shown above aboard a Buck & Son flatbed truck.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations; Indians of North America--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Bethel 27 of Steilacoom, International Order of Job's Daughters, was one of 23 floats participating in the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade. The chapter's drill team accompanied the white and purple float filled with Bethel 27's royalty. Tacoma was celebrating its 100th anniversary with a lavish parade and a myriad of activities including a costumed historical pageant held at the Lincoln Bowl and citizens, both private and public, wearing an array of old-time clothing styles.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Drill teams;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Making a colorful splash in the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade was the Culinary Belles entry from local area restaurants. The bright red 40-foot float carried examples of nearly-forgotten kitchen accessories including an antique butter churn and an 1889 coffee grinder. A waitress, dressed in long white gown and cap, appeared more like a nurse than a restaurant employee. Visiting "customers" were elaborately dressed in clothing styles and hats of the past. Entertaining at the piano was Marilyn Ogburn of the Cable Car Room of Steve's Gay '90s.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Ogburn, Marilyn; Pianos; Churns;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. With steam billowing befitting its nickname, "Old Snorter" gave parade viewers a good look at logging equipment of the past. The Lake Cushman Development Co. entry was a restored 70-year-old steam donkey. "Old Snorter" had been used for logging in the Olympic Peninsula where it loaded logs onto railroad cars at landings and also yarded logs in the woods. Aboard the steam donkey were Bill Parsons, Syd Anderson, George Mueller, Gene Visser and Lyle Linton.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Steam donkeys; Parsons, Bill; Anderson, Syd; Mueller, George; Visser, Gene; Linton, Lyle;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. These passengers, aboard a miniature Union Pacific train, were treated to a ride of a lifetime during the June, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. The two-hour parade was met by thousands of spectators as it wound its way from Stadium High School down to 21st & Pacific. Union Pacific had established a presence in Tacoma beginning in 1911.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Representing the 1969 Lakewood Summer Festival came that city's entry, "Lakewood Water Wonderland," with the festival's four princesses aboard an elaborate gondola. Claudia Bucklew and Martha Nojd of Lakes High School and Jana Oglesbee and Linda Boyle of Clover Park waved to the crowd, with many reciprocating; the princesses were accompanied by gondolier Dick Zarelli. Spectators may not have been as numerous as predicted, due to threatening weather conditions, but thousands still managed to watch the two-hour parade from sidewalks, buildings and even billboards. They were rewarded as the rain held off and it remained cool and dry.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Bucklew, Claudia; Nojd, Martha; Oglesbee, Jana; Boyle, Linda; Zarelli, Dick;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Two matched and registered Belgian draft horses, owned and driven by Bob Smith of Montesano, pull the float "Farm Festival" during the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade. The two girls sitting on a bale of hay in front of the red painted "barn" and silo are members of the Farm Festival court.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Horses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Smith, Bob;