Barstow is located 32 miles north of Victorville and has a population of more than 24,000 people. The city serves as a hub for nearby desert communities such as Yermo, Baker and Newberry Springs.
In the past, Barstow celebrated Halloween over two days with trick-or-treating taking place on Oct. 30 and a parade following on Oct. 31. The tradition began in the early 1930s, when members of the Kiwanis Club proposed a large parade and Mardi Gras celebration at a club meeting. The club organized the event and added a dance to entertain residents and raise funds for local children.
The event became known as the Barstow Mardi Gras Halloween Parade. The Mardi Gras name comes from the parade’s floats and annual themes, which are similar to those featured in New Orleans. Schools and neighboring communities also participate by building floats and showcasing local talent.
The parade travels along Route 66 and Main Street in Barstow. Each year, the Kiwanis Club selects a theme and grand marshal to lead the procession. In 1964, the theme was “Politics on Parade,” and Ronald Reagan served as the grand marshal.
More than 90 years after it began, the Barstow Mardi Gras Halloween Parade remains a longstanding Halloween tradition in the community.
The information in this historical feature was originally part of a video series produced by the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s office.
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