In 1984, the Lake Wales Mardi Gras came into existence as a tribute to Vinton Davis, the charismatic owner of Vinton's New Orleans Restaurant, and his love for carnivals, especially Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Vinton, known for his colorful personality, after retiring from the restaurant buisness, bought a hot dog stand and traveled the country making gourmet hot dogs.

Following Vinton's passing, his daughter, Nancy Estes, and wife, Nettie, desired a traditional New Orleans funeral, complete with a jazz band procession and mourners. Unable to fulfill this wish, they opted to organize a parade in his honor, naming it the Lake Wales Mardi Gras. With the assistance of Nettie's brother Ed, friend Robert Connors, son Jim Bernhardt, and a few others, the Lake Wales Mardi Gras took shape.

The inaugural Mardi Gras parade featured Al's Place Band, and just two Krewes (Royal Order of the Red Swans and the Loyal Order of Wild Shiners) and numerous marching revelers. This spectacle unfolded before a modest audience of a couple of hundred spectators and was over in just 10 minutes. The following year, the crowd jumped to about 5,000 spectators and has grown every year since.

ORIGINAL KREWES

• Royal Order of the Red Swans (Zazu)

• The Loyal Order of Wild Shiners