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
 
More masks after the jump…..