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);

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;

Brewery Workers Union No. 328 gathered en masse on Pacific Avenue, north of City Hall, on September 6, 1915 to proudly march in the big Labor Day parade. This was the last hurrah for brewery workers before Prohibition began in Washington State in January of 1916. Tacoma had basically shut down with city, county, major businesses and industrial plants closed for the day. Union workers of all sorts - blacksmiths, machinists, boilermakers, cooks, bridge workers, pressmen, painters, carpenters and longshoremen, to name just a few, would be participating in the march that led from Pacific Ave., Broadway and Sixth Ave. to conclude at Wright Park. Thousands of spectators were anticipated. (TDL 9-6-1915)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Labor unions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Brewery Workers Union No. 328 (Tacoma);

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.

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)

Parade marching north on Broadway. Group of U. S. Army soldiers, in uniform, are at the corner of 9th and Broadway. They are being followed by group of men from the U. S. Navy in their dress whites. Buildings include: Pantages Theater, Illington Hotel. Sign hangs from corner building for Malstom's Drugs. TPL-7060

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pantages Theater (Tacoma)

Young band members sit in a long truck that is decorated with bunting and an American flag. There is a streetcar next to the truck. Photograph was taken on Pacific Ave. Shaw Supply Co. sign in background. TPL-7061

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Copy of customer print. A parade of trucks filled with alder products paused on an unidentified street in this Marvin D. Boland photograph. They participated in the American Legion patriotic parade in 1920. "Save Alder Timber" signs were prominently displayed on top of the trucks and cars. Buffelen Lumber & Mfg. Co., established in Tacoma in the early 20th century, wanted to demonstrate how valuable alder timber was and how many ways the wood could be used. Rather than buying hardwood out-of-state, it would benefit companies to purchase the useful alder within the state's borders, thereby helping out the local economy. Buffelen announced plans in July of 1920 to build a $100,000 plant on the Hylebos for the purpose of making hardwood finish from alder logs. Photograph ordered by Paxport Mills on March 8, 1979. ( D169349-1) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-11-20, B-6)

Parades--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On October 30, 1941 troops of the 3rd Division's Infantry Battalion maintained close-order formation as they passed the Roxy Theater, turning from Broadway to march down South 9th Street. One of the largest crowds to ever watch a parade in Tacoma gathered to view the Army Day extravaganza. The parade of over 10,000 soldiers, with their support vehicles, stretched for over 6 miles. (TTimes 10/30/1941 p. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Spectators stand several people deep to watch the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis parade by on October 30, 1941.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Crowds line the street on October 30, 1941, as men and artillery pass in formation during the Army parade. Over 10,000 soldiers would take part in the 2 hour parade through downtown Tacoma.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Army Day parade in downtown Tacoma, 3rd Division.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, downtown businesses were closed due to the massive two hour military parade making its way downtown. Following the parade, stores would throw open their doors for a once a year United Tacoma Days sale. Here bus and or streetcar employees meet with a coordinator, possibly to go over schedule changes made to deal with the increase of downtown traffic.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; People associated with transportation;

Review of troops at Fort Lewis for Governor Langlie. A military band stands at rest while a dirigible flies overhead. The hills are covered with nearly a thousand seated spectators, present to view the show of military might. The 3rd Division, over 3,000 strong, would be parading for Washington's new Governor Langlie. The afternoon would be spent on close inspection of artillery and vehicles. (T. Times 3/6/1941, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Airships;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. R.E. Anderson's float celebrates Washington State's fifty years of progress, statehood and time tested dependability. The float is topped with Northwest greenery and carries a frontiersman, complete with fur hat and rifle. R.E. Anderson was a real estate company that also dealt in loans, rentals, insurance and bonds. In 1939, they were located on the 4th floor of the Fidelity Building, 949-55 Broadway. The building was razed in 1949.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; R.E. Anderson & Co. Inc. (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Golden Jubilee Parade on July 22, 1939, celebrating Washington's fifty years of statehood. Parade participants patiently wait on the R.E. Anderson Co. float for the parade to start. Brown & Haley's candy factory can be seen in the background. R.E. Anderson was a real estate company that also dealt in loans, rentals, insurance and bonds. In 1939, they were located on the 4th floor of the Fidelity Building, 949-55 Broadway.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; R.E. Anderson & Co. Inc. (Tacoma); Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Girl Scouts of America float in an unidentified parade. Girl poses with bow and arrow on a truck bed decorated as a camp site with tent and logs. Building appears to be downtown due to a parking garage but no address numbers are identifiable .

Thousands gathered on Broadway in Tacoma to see the impressive Jubilee Parade. The parade went on as planned in spite of the heavy rainfall that fell upon Tacoma's parade-goers for a good part of the festivities. View of unidentified bathing beauty smiling as her float goes through the streets of Tacoma (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 1).

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bathing beauties; Bathing suits;

The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were joining many other Northwest Temple Shriners for a Shrine parade in Tacoma. Public Safety Commissioner, Robert S. Temme will act as illustrious potentate. View of Shriners marching in their parade, Roxy Theatre and Motoramp Garage in background.

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

Waving to the crowds lined up on Pacific Avenue for the 1951 Daffodil Festival Parade are three Elks officials motoring along in a convertible decorated in blossoms. Driving is secretary Erling O. Johnson and in the back seat are Harold Duncan at left and Lloyd L. Wynans, right. Mr. Wynans was the current Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. Mr. Duncan, as Leading Knight, was to succeed Mr. Wynans as Exalted Ruler later in the year.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Convertible automobiles--Tacoma; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Johnson, Erling O.; Duncan, Harold; Wynans, Lloyd L.; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The Packard Bell float motored merrily along Pacific Avenue past the Washington Hardware Co. store on April 7, 1951, in the 18th annual Daffodil Festival Parade. An unidentified woman smilingly displays a handful of daffodils to the teeming crowds. A Packard Bell television set aboard the float has the photograph of the 1951 Daffodil Queen, Elaine Chipps of Puyallup, on the screen. Packard Bell was celebrating its 25th anniversary in 1951.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1951 : Tacoma); Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma); Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

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;

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;

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to allow citizens to come together on a single holiday to thank our men in uniform for their service to our country. In this photograph of the May 1950 Armed Forces Day parade military units from Fort Lewis are marching south on Pacific Avenue. The camera's image offers a view of the facades of the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific. The Rust Building with 12 stories is at the end of the block. Awnings and fire escapes hang from many of the buildings. All the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific were demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the Park Plaza North Parking Garage.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elks, Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks.The "Scotch Kilties" band of Fort Lewis were featured during the parade welcoming Emmett T. Anderson home from the National Elks Convention. The parade has stopped at the intersection of 9th and Broadway by the Roxy Theatre to allow the Scotch Kilties to perform intricate maneuvers. Band members wear traditional Scottish attire and play drums and bag pipes. The theater was showing "The Girl from Jones Beach" starring Ronald Reagan. (TNT, 7/28/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Marching bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pipes (Musical instruments); Roxy Theatre (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. 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;