On August 16, 1935, California’s fabled Venice Beach kicked off its very first Mardi Gras Festival. The celebration (which was inspired by New Orleans’ Mardi Gras) included events such as parades, the Miss California Beauty Pageant, the coronation of Queen Venetia by King Neptune, and a gala ball that concluded the three-day celebration.
Since you can’t have a proper Mardi Gras party without giant papier-mâché masks, take a gander at the ones hanging out on Venice Beach in the following photos from the mid-1930s. The masks, which were three to four feet tall, are as whimsical as they are super creepy.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
