Parades

Linking one generation to the next, Puyallup’s parades have been an ongoing source of celebration for generations. Puyallup hosts three unique parades each year: the Daffodil Parade in early spring, the Rodeo Parade in conjunction with the annual Washington State Fair, and the Lighted Santa Parade just before the holiday season. Each parade is a celebration of our history and our unique community spirit.

Daffodil princesses

The Rodeo Parade

Introduced in 2000, the Western Rodeo Parade & Cattle Drive celebrates the tradition from the early days of the Washington State Fair when cowboys would unload cattle from train cars and drive them to the fairgrounds. Each year, with hundreds of people lined along Meridian Street, cattle are driven down the middle of the road, followed by cowboys, cowgirls, tractors and horse-drawn wagons. The Rodeo Parade is a truly unique experience, and the perfect lead-in to the Washington State Fair.

The Daffodil Parade

The Daffodil Parade is the largest parade held in Puyallup each year. It consists of over 180 entries, including marching bands, dancers, and the famous daffodil float. Decorated with thousands of fresh-cut daffodils, the float celebrates the 80-year history of daffodil farming in the Puyallup Valley, and carries the Daffodil Princesses of Pierce County, including Princess representatives from Puyallup, Rogers and Emerald Ridge High Schools.


cattle parade

Lighted Santa Parade

The anticipation of the most magical time of the year is felt downtown during the annual Lighted Santa Parade. Following the parade, bundled residents gather in Pioneer Park with cookies and hot cocoa for the lighting of the Community Tree. The Santa Parade is our only after-dark parade, and the bright and multi-colored festive lights on every float leading up to the grand finale: the jolly old elf himself (and Mrs. Claus, too!) riding on a shiny fire engine.