Queen carnival

A queen carnival was a type of fundraising event that was popular in New Zealand and Australia during the early 20th century.

One report[1] said the contest was for a "Queen of Beauty" and the public would choose from photographs[2] of the entrants with names remaining secret.

[3] As the Queen would reign over the revels, wit, personality, majesty and a talent for theatre would be of advantage and the election of Mrs J.

[4] Mrs Rosewarne was also called Napier's Queen of Song[5] and was principal soprano at a pre-festival performance of the Messiah.

[9] Inaugurated by the Napier Thirty Thousand Club[10] to raise money for town beautification, the Mardi Gras became an annual event which John Hopkins continued to organise.

Lints established his own business, the Antiseptic Hairdressing Saloon in Devon Street East, New Plymouth.

[14] After creating the Queen Carnival concept, which he ran along with a revue called "Fete of nations" in 1914, Lints went on to direct large patriotic musical extravaganzas from 1916 to at least 1941.

[16] During the inter war period Queen Carnivals were held to raise fund for worthy community causes.

Votes were cast for each candidate and the winner was pronounced queen in a coronation ceremony at the end of the carnival.