Second only to the summertime Washington State Fair in Puyallup, the Daffodil Festival is an annual celebration of the history and traditions in four Pierce County cities: Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting. The Daffodil Festival is made up of many smaller events and parades.
The Daffodil Parade includes floats decorated with thousands of fresh-cut daffodils, just like the daffodil flowers that grew in the Puyallup Valley for over 80 years (read more about the history of daffodils in the valley below). Of course, there are also lots of marching bands, clowns, and many other groups who contribute still more local flair to this community-wide celebration. The parade consists of over 180 entries and travels through the four Daffodil Festival cities: Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting, the Parade (see parade cities map below).
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History of the Daffodil Parade and Festival
The Daffodil Festival originated in 1934 as a celebration of the agriculture industry in the Puyallup and Sumner area.
The Daffodil Parade became an annual event where the community gathered and the daffodil was the exalted symbol. The parade gradually grew to make its way through four Pierce County cities in a single day.
Despite the loss of the daffodil farmers throughout the years, Pierce County is still fertile ground, continuing to sprout new ideas and ways of thinking, ingenuity, industry, and innovation.
The parade still hosts the beautiful golden flowers, but the true celebration continues to revolve around the community from which it originates, and the people whose hands have built the festival from the very beginning.
The high school bands, floats, businesses and local organizations, all hold strong ties to the streets they march, walk, and ride over in the parade. It is for this reason that the Daffodil Festival still flourishes.
For more information, visit the Daffodil Festival website.
2021 Daffodil Parade events
The Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade will look a little different in 2021.
Rather than the usual parade marching through the four cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting, the 2021 Daffodil Parade will be presented as a “stationary parade” in partnership with the Washington State Fair, in conjunction with the Spring Fair.
Although standing still, the parade will include floats, bands, clowns, and of course Princesses! This year’s Daffodil Festival theme is “Reach for Your Star”. The floats are decorated with fresh-cut daffodils, just like the daffodil flowers that grew in the Puyallup Valley in decades past.
Enjoy this years’ festivities during two 5-day periods, April 7-11 and April 14-18, 2021. You can drive through the Fairgrounds, with designated zones to stop and “step out” for shopping and of course eating fair food. At the epicenter of the “parade” you’ll find the Daffodil Traveling Float featuring Daffodil Festival Princesses from the 2020 Royal Court!
Advance tickets purchase is required on the WA State Fair’s Drive-thru Spring Fair page. More info: Washington State Spring Fair – April 7-11 & 14-18, 2021 (thefair.com)
(Historic) Daffodil Parade routes
In the before times, The Daffodil Parade takes place in four Pierce County cities: Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting. The Parade is part of a week-long community celebration that includes many smaller events and parades.
- Tacoma – 10:15 AM (Pacific Ave from 12th to 21st Streets)
- Puyallup – 12:45 PM (7th Ave SW at 5th SW to S Meridian, W Meeker Ave, 3rd St SW, 4th Ave SW)
- Sumner – 2:30 PM (Main ST. at Kincaid Ave to Sunset Stadium)
- Orting – 5:00 PM (Washington Ave S from Bridge to Whitsell)
Here’s our exclusive Google map of the Daffodil Parade cities throughout the south Sound:
Daffodil Parade dates
- 2020, April 4th (cancelled)
- 2021, April 10th (drive-thru event at WA State Spring Fair in Puyallup)
- 2022, April 9th
- 2023, April 1st
- 2024, April 6th
Junior Daffodil Parade
The Junior Daffodil Parade is geared to children, by encouraging the growth of creativity and fun in even the youngest. Costumes, pets, music, and non-motorized floats make this parade a very special event.
The Junior Parade takes place about one week after the Daffodil Parade. It is the largest children’s parade in the state at four blocks long.
Upcoming festivals, fairs, & parades
Upcoming fairs and festivals on our calendar in the next 90 days.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
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But wait, there’s more!
- More fairs, festivals, and parades on Our big list of annual festivals, fairs, and parades.
- Check our list of Home & Garden shows in the Puget Sound region.
- And here’s a list of 101+ always free things to do for fun.
- Find more free and cheap things to do every day: Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
- Still more ideas for frugal fun: Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page.
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Weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (April 7, 2021 - April 18, 2021)
