Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade, Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner, April 11; Daffodil Festival Marine Parade in Tacoma, April 12; La Conner Tulip Festival Parade, April 11.
Bright spring flowers star at the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade in four Pierce County venues and the Tulip Festival Parade in La Conner, Saturday, April 11.
Floats adorned with thousands of fresh daffodils aren’t the Daffodil Festival’s only claim to fame. The unique event, a local tradition since 1934, winds through four locations in one day, starting in Tacoma, then on to Puyallup, Sumner and Orting. Daffodil-covered floats star in all the parades, with other entries varying to include local favorites at each location. Stalwart groups appearing in all four parades include festival royalty, the Seafair Pirates and 10 marching bands.
Daffodil Festival events continue Sunday, April 12, with a Marine Parade of dozens of decorated vessels of all kinds, some hosting festival princesses. Festivities continue April 18 at the Junior Daffodil Parade with kids, pets, music, costumes, Daffodil Festival princesses and nonmotorized vehicles, celebrating creativity for kids of all ages.
Coming up
Daffodil Grand Floral Parade
Time, location: Saturday, April 11, 10:15 a.m., Pacific Avenue from South 12th Street to South 21st Street, Tacoma; 12:45 p.m., Puyallup; 2:30 p.m., Sumner; 5 p.m., Orting.
More info: thedaffodilfestival.org.
Daffodil Festival Marine Parade
Time: 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 12.
Location: From Tacoma Yacht Club, following Ruston Way to Thea Foss Waterway, Tacoma.
More info: 253-752-3555 or tacomayachtclub.org/site/event-1744.html.
Tulip Frolic and Parade
Frolic: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, Gilkey Square, downtown La Conner.
Parade: 2 p.m. April 11, Morris and First Streets, La Conner; 12:30 p.m. parade participant check-in.
More info: 360-466-4778 or laconnerchamber.com.
La Conner hosts the Tulip Frolic and Not So Impromptu Parade Saturday celebrating the Tulip Festival that continues through April. Entertainment, crafts and exhibits fill the “frolic” before the parade that welcomes everyone, including last-minute participants.
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The 28th annual parade has a wacky and whimsical theme and this year celebrates the first official La Conner Daffodil Festival that preceded the Tulip Festival, with the king and queen of the Daffodils along with farm animals, clowns, bands, mascots and pets. The festival and parade draw big crowds to scenic small-town La Conner, so allow plenty of time to arrive and set up your lawn chair to enjoy the parade.