Giant papier-mâché masks at the Venice Beach Mardi Gras Festival, 1935
 
On August 16th, 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.
 

Miss California on her float surrounded by giant papier-mâché masks during the Venice Beach Mardi Gras, mid-1930s
 

Clark Gable mask, Venice Beach Mardi Gras, mid-1930s
 
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-30s. The masks, which were three to four feet tall, are as whimsical as they are super creepy. Which makes them totally fun to look at. Come on everybody, let’s party like it’s 1935! Wheee!
 

Venice Beach Mardi Gras masks, 1935
 

 

Venice Beach Mardi Gras, 1935
 

Giant papier-mâché masks at the Venice Beach Mardi Gras, 1930s
 

Giant papier-mâché masks hanging out on Venice Beach during Mardi Gras, 1935

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Artful, decadent (and slightly creepy) papier-mâché animal masks