April Showers Bring

Daffodil Queens

It’s April. It’s Spring. We are getting a few of those glorious days where the Mountains and Sound and the daffodils are in their full glory. And it’s time for the Daffodil Festival!

The Daffodil Festival is entering its 73rd year.

The Grand Floral Parade tradition began in 1934 along with the selection of a Queen to rule over the events. Originally the Queen was selected from Puyallup or Sumner High School. It eventually grew to include more schools from Tacoma, the Valley and the Peninsula.

Stadium’s first queen was Margaret Strachen Williams in 1956. The second was Gretchen Brockhoff in 1958 and then we had a long drought till 1968 when Cheryl Lamka ruled over the event.

I was in school when Cheryl Lamka was Queen. It was exciting. Our high school band followed the Queen’s float in the parade. Lots of students and family lined the streets to glimpse Cheryl as well as our terrific band.

Cheryl was an officer in the Girl’s Club, heading one of the departments. At one meeting, she taught us the “daffodil wave”! That’s not standing up and down at an athletic event. It’s waving your hand in the official way! And of course, you wore gloves!

Our Daffodil Princess for 2006 is Ali Ciarochi. Ali has a 3.97 GPA. Her activities and include the Reign City All Stars cheer squad, Key Club, honor roll, student of the month, Metro Parks volunteer, assists with cheer and dance. Ali plans to attend PLU and major in law.

Congratulations, Ali!

The 2006 Floral Parade is April 22! Don’t miss it!

Kathleen Monahan

Daffodil Festival Home page

Memories@CelebrateStadium.com

CelebrateStadium.com