Sure Signs of Spring

Daffodil Princesses

The weather isn’t always the best indicator of spring in the Pacific Northwest. So I have my own personal signs that the season has begun. The first is when I see a pair of tennis shoes strung of the overhead wires – I wish I could see the teens while they attempt this fete. Second, is the smell of backyard barbecuing and my third tell is the start of neighborhood parades. Parade season, if you will, has officially launched.

Yesterday we watched the Daffodil Parade as more than 100 entries walked, marched, danced and played musical instruments along the parade route on Main Street in Sumner.                             

Kita and Elias taking in the parade

This parade is the only one in the country that travels to four different cities on the same day. First, the parade travels along Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, then it moves to Puyallup, from there to Sumner and the last leg is in Orting.

Clowns, pirates, horses, cars, bagpipers, marching bands and buses filled the streets of the different Pierce County communities to the delight of children of all ages. Parade entries came from as far as Penticton, British Columbia and Astoria, Oregon. Of course, as the name indicates, the floats were adorned with bright yellow daffodils and daffodils were passed out to the parade goers. The festival atmosphere almost has to make you smile. 

A friendly Seafair pirate

Upcoming parades in 2011 include:
May 7: Washington State Apple Blossom in Wenatchee
May 21: Rhododendron Festival in Port Townsend
May 28: Ski to Sea in Bellingham
June 4: Farmer’s Day in Lynden
June 18: Berry Dairy Days in Burlington

July 4: Independence Day celebration parades in Blaine, Everett, Sedro Woolley and Tumwater
July 16: Capital Lakefair Twilight in Olympia

Does your community have a unique parade? I would love to hear about it.

3 thoughts on “Sure Signs of Spring

  1. Living Large in Our Little House

    Wow, y’all have a lot of parades (spoken like a true southerner). In my hometown in Kansas, the sure sign of fall was the annual Turner Days Parade. Here, it is the Turkey Trot Festival Parade. I’ve never been. While the festival was created during a time when wild turkeys were in danger here, it some how took on this strange and dangerous custom of throwing live turkeys from a plane that flies overhead. As the newspaper described it the first year we were here, “they glide, fly and sometimes plummet to the ground.” Um, no thanks.

    Reply
  2. Mary Nida Smith

    This isn’t a parade, but the Salmon Bake in June every year on Father’s Day by the Friends of the Manchester Library from noon-4 pm is a must. People come from every where to enjoy the food and fellowship. I love it. To learn more click on http://www.manchesterwa.org I love that area and the people.
    Mary Nida

    Reply
    1. admin Post author

      Salmon bakes are fun and delicious. We used to have crab feasts here until the price of crab got out of hand. I’ll have to try the Manchester salmon sometime.

      Reply

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