The Daffodil Festival
GenreCommunity Festival, Royalty Program
Dates1926-present (except 1943–1945, 2020)
Location(s)Pierce County, Washington
Years active90
WebsiteThe Daffodil Festival instagram.com/daffodilfestival/

The Daffodil Festival is a regional festival and royalty leadership program. The Grand Floral Parade is held in Pierce County, Washington every April. It consists of a flower parade and a year-long royalty program to select a festival queen from one of the 24 area high schools. Each year, the Royal Court spend thousands of hours promoting education, community pride and volunteerism in the county. In 2012, the Royal Court was named the "Official Ambassadors of Pierce County" by the County Executive and the Pierce County Council.[1]

History

The Daffodil Festival came into existence because of the bulb industry between 1922 and 1925. It followed a severe infestation of ‘hop lice’ that destroyed the area's hop crops and Prohibition. The US Department of Agriculture recommended bulb planting to Valley growers because of the mildness of the climate and ideal soil conditions. The climate conditions of the Puyallup River Valley produce blooms about 2–3 weeks earlier than other areas, in plenty of time for the mid winter markets. The area quickly became the nations ‘bulb basket’ producing 50% of the nations daffodil bulbs, over 50% of its bulb iris and 80% of the nations tulips. About 300 of the 12,000 varieties of daffodils were grown in the Valley. The most popular and most locally grown is the King Alfred.

Between 1928 and 1933 a Bulb Sunday and bulb banquet were held. Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Orton hosted civic leaders from 15 towns in western Washington in 1926. In 1927 the Sumner Chamber of Commerce sponsored the first Bulb Banquet. Free daffodils were given away to visitors. The roads became increasingly congested each year as people drove out to see the colorful fields. Reaching a peak of 30,000 vehicles. A local photographer Lee Merrill suggested a parade be held to " take the daffodils to the people". He organized the first event in 1934, this was the first festival as we know it today. Lee decided every festival needs a queen so as he was driving through Puyallup he saw a pretty girl and stopped and asked her if she would be the queen. Her reply "I’ll have to ask my husband". Elizabeth Lee Wotten became the first Daffodil Queen at the age of 28. She had only 4 days to find a proper gown. She stood on a reviewing platform with her flower girl and princess to watch the parade in downtown Tacoma. Supporters of the festival included the Chambers of Commerce of Tacoma, Puyallup, and Summner. In 1937 the Daffodil Festival was made into a non-profit corporation. Funding came from donations and the sale of memberships.

An annual event, the festival encompasses the whole of Pierce County. Originally five participating cities included Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Orting and Fife joined in 1959. The Daffodil Festival grew to become the 3rd largest floral festival in the US by the 1960s. With the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and 1943-1945 due to the Second World War, the Daffodil Parade has been held each year since 1934.

The first daffodils and narcissus were planted in 1910 by George Lawler at Gardenville, now the location of the Poodle Dog Restaurant in Fife. Many of the earliest bulbs were imported from England and the Continent, sometimes at a cost of $75 a bulb. In 1911, Lawler purchased 9000 bulbs of all varieties and kinds and hand planted them Dutch style. These plantings grew to 15 acres in North Puyallup, and finally to about 100 acres on the banks of the Nisqually River near Roy. Other early growers were Charles and Ed Orton, Frank Chernenko, H.F. Groningen and L.M.Hatch. The largest growers were Harold Knutson in Sumner, Van Lierop in Puyallup, and Wally Staazt at Orting. The best viewing times are from March 15- April 1.


Parade

2012 Daffodil Festival Royal Court

The Grand Floral Parade travels through Pierce County, WA, with four routes in: Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting in one day.


Participating high schools

As of 2023, the participating high schools are:

Past Queens

Each year in March the princesses participate in the Daffodil Festival Queen's Coronation, where one of them is crowned Daffodil Festival Queen.

  • 2023: Queen Vivian Llorens Hernandez (Lakes)
  • 2022: Queen Clara Blakeslee (Curtis)
  • 2021: Queen Katie Rose Abegglen (Puyallup)
  • 2020: NO QUEEN SELECTED (due to pandemic)
  • 2019: Queen Katie Gilbert (White River)
  • 2018: Queen Allie Brooks (Lincoln)
  • 2017: Queen Marin Sasaki (Orting)
  • 2016: Queen Emily Oliver (Spanaway Lake)
  • 2015: Queen Ashley Becker (Bonney Lake)
  • 2014: Queen Marissa Modestowicz (Emerald Ridge)
  • 2013: Queen McKenna Erhardt (Rogers)
  • 2012: Queen Sarah Karamoko (Henry Foss)
  • 2011: Queen Claire Flemming (Curtis HS)
  • 2010: Queen Annie Jeong (Stadium High School)
  • 2009: Queen Melanie Stambaugh (Emerald Ridge)
  • 2008: Queen Olivia Anderson (Cascade Christian)
  • 2007: Queen Michell Wood (Sumner)
  • 2006: Queen Mollie Ruiz (Curtis)
  • 2005: Queen Jessica DeWitt (Mt Tahoma)
  • 2004: Queen Romelynn Eleno (Lakes)
  • 2003: Queen Angie Voiles (Sumner)
  • 2002: Queen Katrina Woldseth (Franklin Pierce)
  • 2001: Queen Tara Faw (Orting)
  • 2000: Queen Tiye Smith (Henry Foss)
  • 1999: Queen Jeanna Little (Sumner)
  • 1998: Queen Allison Porter (Curtis)
  • 1997: Queen Jennifer Brown (Sumner)
  • 1996: Queen Hillary Faulk (Sumner)
  • 1995: Queen Cynthia Gee (Henry Foss)
  • 1994: Queen Julie Frye (Rogers)
  • 1993: Queen Erin Haynie (Rogers)
  • 1992: Queen Brandi Rector (Orting)
  • 1991: Queen Ensung Kelly Nah (Wilson)
  • 1990: Queen Kelly Parkhurst (Fife)
  • 1989: Queen Lea Snider (Puyallup)
  • 1988: Queen Heidi Johnson (Curtis)
  • 1987: Queen Deborah Harlan (Puyallup)
  • 1986: Queen Kristin Macrander (Lakes)
  • 1985: Queen Jaymee Marty (Clover Park)
  • 1984: Queen Jeanette Hopkins (Gig Harbor)
  • 1983: Queen Jeanene Dryer (Bethel)
  • 1982: Queen Sandy Furtaw (Bethel)
  • 1981: Queen Cindy Kovalenko (Sumner)
  • 1980: Queen Robin Asbjorsen (Puyallup)
  • 1979: Queen Paula Nelson (Curtis)
  • 1978: Queen Janice Ash (Wilson)
  • 1977: Queen Carol Glenn (Bethel)
  • 1976: Queen Renee Hopp (Rogers)
  • 1975: Queen Wendy Van Noy (Franklin Pierce)
  • 1974: Queen Lori Webber (Wilson)
  • 1973: Queen Sherri Murraey (Fife)
  • 1972: Queen Paula Achziger (Wilson)
  • 1971: Queen Jean Fink (Lakes)
  • 1970: Queen Shelly Grobey (Mt. Tahoma)
  • 1969: Queen Lina Michael (Puyallup)
  • 1968: Queen Cheryl Lamka (Stadium)
  • 1967: Queen Carol Parcheta (Franklin Pierce)
  • 1966: Queen Susan Bona (Wilson)
  • 1965: Queen Kay Bryson (Sumner)
  • 1964: Queen Karen Goettling (Puyallup)
  • 1963: Queen Gail Belknap (Mt. Tahoma)
  • 1962: Queen Sharon Silvernail (Orting)
  • 1961: Queen Carmel Mackin (Puyallup)
  • 1960: Queen Diane Harkness (Lincoln)
  • 1959: Queen Carol Mills (Franklin Pierce)
  • 1958: Queen Gretchen Brockhoff (Stadium)
  • 1957: Queen Janice Methven (Lincoln)
  • 1956: Queen Margaret Strachan (Stadium)
  • 1955: Queen Elvera Sommer (Puyallup)
  • 1954: Queen Mary Carlile (Sumner)
  • 1953: Queen Joan Marie Dennis (Puyallup)
  • 1952: Queen Eva Beattie (Sumner)
  • 1951: Queen Elaine Chipps (Puyallup)
  • 1950: Queen Nancy Davis (Sumner)
  • 1949: Queen Mary Jean Gropper (Puyallup)
  • 1948: Queen Doreen Moody (Sumner)
  • 1947: Queen Joan Eidson (Puyallup)
  • 1946: Queen Gloria Dinwiddle (Sumner)
  • 1945: No Parade
  • 1944: No Parade
  • 1943: No Parade
  • 1942: Queen Shirley Neiman (Puyallup)
  • 1941: Queen Pauline Martin (Sumner)
  • 1940: Queen Marge Roscoe (Puyallup)
  • 1939: Queen Bette Lee (Sumner)
  • 1938: Queen Bliss Lundrigan (Puyallup)
  • 1937: Queen Dorthy Lyons (Sumner)
  • 1936: Queen Helen Edgerton (Puyallup)
  • 1935: Queen Margaret Thomas (Sumner)
  • 1934: Queen Elizabeth Lee Wooten (Puyallup)


Miss Congeniality

Each year for the past 27 the princesses participate in the Daffodil Festival Queen's Coronation, where one of them is chosen by her other princesses and is given the title of Miss Congeniality.

  • 2023: Princess Emma Holmes (Stadium)
  • 2022: Queen Clara Blakeslee (Curtis)
  • 2021: Princess Guadalup Perez-Delores (Sumner)
  • 2020: Princess Cara Brauen (Puyallup)
  • 2019: Princess Kyla Stout (Puyallup)
  • 2018: Princess Kira Korsmo (Lakes)
  • 2017: Princess Meghan LaLiberte (Rogers)
  • 2016: Princess Samaria Roberts (Eatonville)
  • 2015: Princess Victoria Tirado (Clover Park)
  • 2014: Princess Nina Thach (Mt. Tahoma)
  • 2013: Princess Kayla Prewitt (Curtis)
  • 2012: Princess Carly Lange (Sumner)
  • 2011: Princess Alexandra Schuster (Emerald Ridge)
  • 2010: Princess Kelly Hewitt (Lakes)
  • 2009: Princess Saige Jennings (Washington)
  • 2008: Princess Brittany Ward (Sumner)
  • 2007: Princess Erin James (Emerald Ridge)
  • 2006: Princess Gina Maulupe (Spanaway Lake)
  • 2005: Princess Kellie Thompson (Rogers)
  • 2004: Princess Andrea Simmons (Foss)
  • 2003: Princess Kristin Stoehr (Franklin Pierce)
  • 2002: Princess Particia Trella (Washington)
  • 2001: Princess Hallie Blakey (Henry Foss)
  • 2000: Princess Amy Hamel (Franklin Pierce)
  • 1999: Princess Nichole Grajeda (Franklin Pierce)
  • 1998: Princess Theresa Bates (Bethel)
  • 1997: Princess Tyvonne Bush (Lakes)
  • 1996: Princess Augusta Symonds (Clover Park)

Parades Through the Years (Themes, President, Sir Boss)

Year Theme President
2023 "90 Years Around the Sound Madison Riddle
2022 "Hope Rises" Scott Dellinger
2021 "Reaching For Your Star" Ernie Ouellette
2020 "Honoring the Past" Ernie Ouellette
2019 "A Heart for Service" Tim Smith
2018 "Traditions in Bloom" Tim Smith
2017 "Daffodil Paradise" Ernie Ouellette
2016 "Fun in the Sun" Debbie Woods
2015 "Shine Your Light with Service" Debbie Cooley
2014 "Ready, Set, Grow" Judy Smith
2013 "The Magic of Music" Brad Stevens
2012 "Believe" Susan McGuire
2011 "Spirit of Adventure" Ron Jensen
2010 "Carousel of Spring" Karen Baskett
2009 "Swing into Spring" Brad Stevens
2008 "Remember Your First Daffodil Parade" Ron Simchen
2007 "Daffodils and All That Jazz" Carol Gregory & Vicki Borovich
2006 "Daffodil Delights" Darlene McCallum
2005 "Dreams Come Alive in 2005" Susan McGuire
2004 "It Was All Just Rock and Roll" Sue Hudson
2003 "It's Magic" Glenn Whaley
2002 "2002 Reasons To Smile" Nella Hawks
2001 "Headin' For The Future" Sandi Angeline
2000 "Century of Memories" Grant Smith
1999 "Romance in Bloom" Connie Wekell
1998 "Up and Away" Mike Kelley
1997 "Symphony of Spring" Brian Healey
Year Theme Board President Sir Boss
1996 "Fun and Fascination" Chuck Mazza Dick & Diane Driskell
1995 "Field of Dreams" Jenny Pasco Dave & Dena McCallum
1994 "Let the Good Times Roll" Neil Yuckert Dave & Sue Hudson
1993 "Pure Imagination" Theresa Grimes Dan & Phyllis Abercrombe
1992 "Rediscover America" Rob Wekell Ken & Carol McCarthy
1991 "For Kids of all Ages 9-91" Claude E. Brown Don & Judy Barnhart
1990 "Puget Sound on Parade" Chuck Leaner Fred & Mary Elstrom
1989 "Sentimental Journey" Walt Copland Bill & Anne Nelson
1988 "My Favorite Things" Sue Chaplik Skip & Pam Mayhew
1987 "A Quest for Peace" Jeff Jensen Earl & Linda Dryden
1986 "Golden Enchantment" Dennis Crumbley Judd & Jane Dockeray
1985 "Spring & Alive in '85" Andrew P. Bergman Tommy & Kitty Watson
1984 "Tomorrow's Dreams" Laura Stoner Ten & Donna Maloney
1983 "Golden Memories" Bob Campbell Rob & Liz Wekell
1982 "Daffodil Festival Salutes Country Western" Jack Richardson Warren & Addie Barde
1981 "International Interlude" Bruce Bleckert Bill & Mae Merrill
1980 "Magic Moments" Beverly Sawyer Roy & Gerry Peterson
1979 "Northwest Paradise" Ivan Jensen Aaron & Gerry Achziger
1978 "Free Spirit" Bill Lubke Fred & Eileen Bucholtz
1977 "Puget Sound USA" Guy Sam Colorossi Dewayne & Darlene Lamka
1976 "America's 200 Years" Bryce H. Dille Dick & Francis Landon
1975 "Remember When" R. Howell Snowden Harry & Elaine Walter
1974 "What the World Need Now" Jack Richardson Dave & Dena McCallum
1973 "Happiness is..." J. Mack Koon Bill & Bernice McDonald
1972 "Proudly We Hail" Charles R. Hogan Frank & Roz Elliot
1971 "Nature Our Greatest Heritage" Basil Anton John & Eva Sankovich
1970 "Greatest Show on Earth" Dick Wingard Dick & Gloria Hill
1969 "Down Memory Lane" Clarence A. Scheyer Archie & Olivia Heany
1968 "Tales & Legends" L.K. Raymond Bud & Elva Weller
1967 "Fun 'N' Fantasy" Merton E. Crawford Bob & Elsie Bulleri
1966 "This Land of Ours" James M Blair Jr. Pete & Madeline Pelegruti
1965 "Masterpieces" Max H. Bice Bill Robinson
Year Theme President
1964 "Nations on Parade" Mr. Shirley M Wekell
1963 "Great Moments" Otto Johnson
1962 "Daffodils Salute Century 21" John T. Conlin
1961 "Wonders of the World" B.D. Elliot
1960 "Daffodils Salute Hawaii" F.W. Haines Jr.
1959 "Daffodils Salute Alaska" Wallace T. Staatz
1958 "Fairytales in Daffodils" W.C. Pence
1957 "Memories in Daffodils" Jerry Geeham
1956 "Storytime in Daffodils" Robert G. Gregory
1955 "Golden Future" Otto C Reise
1954 "Vacation Land" Orville L. Brown
1953 "Washington Territorial Centennial" Orville L. Brown
1952 "Alfred in Wonderland" Orville L. Brown
1951 None Howard R. Forbes
1950 None E. C. Orton
1949 None Robert G. Gregory
1948 None Homer F. Nicholson
1947 None Melvin B Dennis
1946 None Not Listed
1945 N/A N/A
1944 N/A N/A
1943 N/A N/A
1942 None Emmitt J. Krefting
1941 None J. Arthur Thompson
1940 None J. Arthur Thompson
1939 None Frank Chervenka
1938 None Frank Chervenka
1937 None Frank Chervenka
1936 None Herbert Stimpson Jr.
1935 None Lee P. Merrill
1934 None Richard G. Frayer

References

  1. Pierce County Council Resolution - Proclamation No. R2012-3<http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/cfapps/council/iview/ViewDocument.cfm?id=5995&name=>

47°10′49″N 122°17′30″W / 47.18028°N 122.29167°W / 47.18028; -122.29167

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