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One hundred years ago, on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 1924, as reported in the Aug. 8, 1924 edition of The Tidewater News, a crowd estimated at more than 5,000 people saw Franklin’s first “Mardi Gras” pulled off in a blaze of light and a riot of music, dancing, confetti, and good fellowship.  It was the first Mardi Gras event to be held in Virginia.  Most of the activity occurred on Fourth Avenue, Main Street, and Second Avenue.  Southampton, Nansemond, Isle of Wight, and Hertford (N.C.) counties were fully represented – with large crowds of visitors from Suffolk, Norfolk, and other places.  There were a few crude spots in the program – some unsavory behaviors.  There were no official reports of overt alcohol consumption; it was during the prohibition era.  However, people with a critical eye who are used to the raucous celebrations in New Orleans and the Gulf states might have found much lacking.

Nevertheless, everybody who went into the occasion for a good time and to rollick in true carnival spirit came out of the confetti showers, the hubbub, and the crowds feeling ten years younger and anxious for another Mardi Gras to come around.  For Franklin intends to give this harmless get-together festival event a permanent place on its annual program of activities.  Next year, we are certain that the town will profit from the few mistakes of the initial effort and put on something worthwhile.  Organizers have indicated that they will endeavor to provide more amusement for the afternoon, although something had yet to be promised for the afternoon this year, beyond a band concert.  The very few who might have been disgruntled at any possible lack of entertainment from two to six were more than repaid by the abundance of fun they got from eight to eleven.       

Franklin went into the affair with zest and vim – with many Courtland friends participating.  With few exceptions, the business houses along Main Street were gaily decorated.  With the most attractive street decorations and the myriads of lights strung across Franklin’s busy little thoroughfares, it was necessary to rub one’s eyes to locate oneself as the parade turned into Main Street from Fourth Avenue on that Tuesday night.  There were several beautifully decorated automobiles in line.  President George Hayes of the Mardi Gras Association, along with other officers, led the procession in an automobile, which took second prize.  Miss Elizabeth Smith was an easy winner for first honors with one of the most effectively decorated machines we have seen on similar occasions.  The Franklin Business and Professional Women’s Club, with an attractive float occupied by five of the most charming representatives of Franklin’s newest civic organizations and carrying the emblematic symbols of the club, received the third prize.  Following the automobile parade came strong delegations of Franklin and Courtland fraternal groups, attired in the impressive costumes of their order – and chaperoning a bevy of children masquerading in all of the fanciful costumes of fairy tales and romances.  

The masqueraders were awarded prizes for the best and prettiest costumes: Anne Dillon and Marvin Lee Bryant, second place Joe Ben Holland, the funniest costume Charlie Peterson, and the most original costumes Mertis Hayes and Bobby Pretlow.

The Community Service Band of Suffolk furnished music.  Following the street parade, a street dance was held; Main Street was roped off from the Stonewall Inn to the Merchants and Farmers Bank. 

Then editor of The Tidewater News, Paul Scarborough, commented on the street lighting during the celebration.  

“As a result of Franklin’s Mardi Gras celebration, the town was given an idea of how much more attractive the business district would be if it were permanently lighted.  There is considerable sentiment among our merchants for the adoption of some plan to light our principal business thoroughfare – in accordance with the latest methods of street illumination.”

CLYDE PARKER is a retired human resources manager for the former Franklin Equipment Co. and a member of the Southampton County Historical Society. His email address is magnolia101@charter.net.