The beginnings of Maple Valley Days date to the seminal event held in May 1961, which featured a parade, crowning of a queen, and other activities. An estimated 2,000 people attended the festivities at Maple Valley’s original settlement along Highway 169, where Foley’s Produce, Good Earth Works, Cascadia Pizza, and other small businesses still operate. This photo appeared in the Issaquah Press to promote the celebration and carried the following caption: “Left to right: Jodie and Kenny Stickley, from Vi’s School of Dance, get acquainted with Chiquita who will be part of the May 6, 1961, Maple Valley Days parade. Mrs. Vivian Stickley, in an authentic hand-woven dress brought from the Andes Mountains in Peru holds the halter of a dubious Chiquita.” For the record, Chiquita was a hinny whose mother was a fuzzy burrow and sired by a Shetland pony.
Vivian was born to Anne and Lonnie Tingvall who lived near Tiger Mountain and were active participants in the 1961 Maple Valley Days. The Tingvalls were also part of the South Seattle Saddle Club located on lower Witte Road close to the Cedar River and near the original Maple Valley settlement. After marrying, Vivian moved to a home between Hobart and Maple Valley where she operated Vi’s School of Dance out of their basement. The Stickley’s next door neighbor was Darlene Jones, who was crowned Queen of the 1961 event.
Always full of energy, Vivian entered real estate as a partner in Squak Mountain Realty. She later opened her own firm, Maple Valley Land & Homes, which she renamed Shelton Land & Homes after the family moved to Shelton in 1968. Vivian passed away in 2013, after selling her real estate firm to her daughter, Jodie Stickley Guedon. Jodie is pictured as a 4-year-old in this Maple Valley Historical Society photo number P86.02.01.
This Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9-10, a special Maple Valley Days fall festival will be held at Lake Wilderness Park. There will be live entertainment, vendors, KidLand inflatables, and food trucks. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information visit www.MapleValleyDays.com
