Photos by john larson
ANNE PHILIPS (CENTER) AND THE OTHER PRINCESSES ENTERTAINED THE AUDIENCE DURING THE EVENT.
Daffodil Princesses from over a dozen Pierce County high schools made their debut for the annual Princess Promenade on Feb. 13. The traditional kickoff to the season of Daffodil Festival events took place at Sharon McGavick Student Center at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood.
The evening began with each girl escorted into the room by a teacher and festival representative. Later, each princess was presented with her tiara and golden daffodil pendant.
Board President Karen Baskett initiated the tapping ceremony, which officially inducts each girl into the festival royalty.
The girls performed two song and dance numbers based on the theme for 2010, Carousel of Spring.
Baskett has been involved with the event since 1996, starting out as a chaperone. She attended the selection events at all of the schools, held last October and November.
“This is a wonderful group of girls. They are very outgoing and excited to get out to all of the events,” she said. “This is a great way to kick off the festival year.”
Representing Fife High School this year is Anne Philips. The high school senior plans to attend a four-year university next year to pursue elementary education.
“It’s a big responsibility,” Philips said, during an interview last October, after she was chosen. “I’m just really excited I get to represent my community and my school. I can’t wait to make wonderful friends and lasting memories.”
The festival has experienced financial difficulty in recent years, prompting concerns about its future. In addition to expenses related to staging the annual Grand Floral Parade, the festival’s biggest event, rising travel costs to send its float to parades around the Northwest have taken a toll.
Baskett is optimistic heading into the 2010 festival season.
“We need help from our supporters. We do not want to see this die,” she remarked.
Other Daffodilians have been stressing the need for individuals to make small donations to keep the event going. Among them is Brad Stevens, who served as master of ceremonies. He encouraged all those attending the promenade to make a donation.
“Ask your friends and neighbors to do the same,” he said. “Please do not let this great tradition and spirit of Daffodil die.”
One of the girls will be chosen as queen of the festival during a ceremony at Puyallup Foursquare Church on March 12.
For more information on upcoming events, visit http://www.daffodilfestival.net.
Jill Russell contributed to this report.
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