South Sound Prepares For The Daffodil Parade

The  will march through downtown Sumner this Saturday, April 9, beginning at Kincaid Street around 2:30 pm. This year's festival theme is "Spirit of Adventure."

Currently, the Sumner portion of the parade has 90 registered groups participating. Participants are mostly members of our community, throughout Sumner and Pierce County, but there will be floats from other areas across Washington, Oregon and even Canada.

The parade will begin in Tacoma at 10:15 a.m. and will move on to Puyallup at 12:45 p.m., stop in Sumner and conclude in Orting at 5 p.m.

Heading up the parade will be Grand Marshall Greg Allen. After a few VIP cars, Tacoma's Own Clan Gordon Pipe Band will usher in the beautiful Daffodil Queen’s Float, carrying the 2011 Daffodil Queen,  of Curtis High School and her . Not far behind, the Daffodil Traveling Float will hold glorious local daffodils, picked and placed by an all-volunteer crew that put in almost 2,500 hours of work.

The local and regional high school marching bands participating in the parade have been practicing their music and marching for months. To get a taste of what's to come, celebrate with the Sumner High Band at the , a special concert hosted at Sumner High on Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m.

The sure-fire crowd pleasers in this year's parade will be the Pirates of Treasure Island, Seattle Seafair and Astoria Clowns floats, plus a special appearance from Ronald McDonald.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue will be at the rear end of the parade as it ends just past Sumner High School at Lewis Avenue.

"We expect to have about 15,000 in downtown Sumner," said Susan McGuire, president elect of the Daffodil Festival. “We have so many beautiful floats every year. Many participate in all four parades that day.”

Carmen Palmer, Sumner's communications director, encouraged those visiting Sumner for the parade to bring their patience with them.

“Please allow plenty of time and be patient  A lot of people want to watch the parade, so expect to park a few blocks away," said Palmer. "Please make sure you don't block driveways, sidewalks or roadways.” 

Palmer also noted that Sumner offers a wide variety of things to do in town once our leg of the parade has ended and encourages visitors to stay and shop while avoiding outgoing traffic.

"A lot of people leave the moment the parade ends, so within about half an hour, you have lots of great options to explore with no fuss. I believe the  will be open with their historical exhibits. People can grab a snack or early dinner on Main Street and enjoy the shopping."

In addition to all the shops always available downtown, Mt. Valley Arts is hosting the Daffodil Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. downtown at 1007 Main Street.  They will have art exhibited and for sale.

For those wanting to head downtown early, watch out for no parking signs, road closures and signs showing visitors where to park. 

Lastly, before you leave home, check the weather forecast, but keep in mind we are in Washington. Only here can we get a sunburn while are clothes are still drying from the rain showers just an hour before.

Do you have any tips on watching the Daffodil Parade in Sumner?