The Daffodil Festival
# The Daffodil Festival

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.

## 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

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:

* Bethel High School (Spanaway)
* Bonney Lake High School (Bonney Lake)
* Chief Leschi High School (Puyallup)
* Clover Park High School (Lakewood)
* Curtis Senior High School (University Place)
* Eatonville High School (Eatonville)
* Emerald Ridge High School (Puyallup)
* Fife High School (Fife)
* Franklin Pierce High School (Parkland)
* Graham-Kapowsin High School (Graham)
* Harrison Preparatory School (Lakewood)
* Henry Foss High School (Tacoma)
* Lakes High School (Lakewood)
* Lincoln High School (Tacoma)
* Mt. Tahoma High School (Tacoma)
* Orting High School (Orting)
* Puyallup High School (Puyallup)
* Rogers High School (Puyallup)
* Silas High School (Tacoma)
* Spanaway Lake High School (Spanaway)
* Stadium High School (Tacoma)
* Sumner High School (Sumner)
* Washington High School (Parkland)
* White River High School (Buckley)

## 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 | |
