History of Pensacola
Mardi by Gina Castro
Gras
Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Pensacola since Spain colonized the Gulf Coast. Although the celebrations fizzled out several times throughout the years and, at one point, for 50 years straight, Pensacola has always welcomed a good Mardi Gras celebration. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Mardi Gras looks different this year. The Krewe of Lafitte Parade and the Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade are cancelled. The Pensacola Mardi Gras Kick-Off Celebration and Parade have been rescheduled to May. Even though Mardi Gras festivities have been cancelled on the Gulf Coast, Downtown Crowd found a way you can get your party on—vicariously, of course. We found some interesting tales of Pensacola's Mardi Gras past. So, grab yourself a slice of King Cake and laissez les bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll).
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The First Priscus King
The date Pensacola named its first King of the Carnival is still not 100 percent clear. Multiple articles from the Pensacola Gazette in the UWF Historic Trust suggest that Pensacola had been celebrating Mardi Gras since the early 19th century, while other articles suggest that Pensacola has been celebrating since Spain arrived here. The Historic Trust dates the photograph of Pensacola’s first King Priscus, A. C. Blount, in 1900. While Pensapedia and the President of Pensacola Mardi Gras believe A.C. Blount was named king in 1874. Although the official year of the first King of the Pensacola Carnival is unclear, the origin of the name Priscus is clear. Priscus is the name of Rome’s fifth king: Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. Priscus is known for having a good time. He is said to have established the first circus. Priscus was also known for his lavish wardrobe. He wore a purple robe with a gold crown on his head. Perhaps he is why purple and gold are the prominent colors in Mardi Gras.
The Best Mardi Gras in History
If you were to ask Pensacolians from the 20th century which year Mardi Gras was the best, apparently they would say 1915. The Feb. 17, 1915 headline called the event “The Best in History.” The moment that turned this parade up a notch was when King Priscus XVI made quite the entrance. Instead of arriving at the parade in a regular old car, B.S. Hancock took to the sky. He flew an airplane above a crowd of thousands, but Hancock wasn’t the only one turning heads. Gladys Pierce was a shocking choice for queen. The Pensacola Gazette said “She was not a parlor queen at all.” The article states that Pierce seemed like a peculiar pick because she was a woman of business. Past queens had been ones of beauty who stayed home. Pierce on the other hand went to college in Baltimore and was even a part of the Army. The article named her “the first queen of a new era in Pensacola.”
