AUGUST 11-13, 2023
Galveston’s Vintage Celebration of Summer – Presented by Joe Tramonte Realty & I Love The Island!
Based on Island events from summer seasons past like the Pageant of Pulchritude and Splash Day, the Galveston Island Revue Weekend was resurrected into a contemporary, family-friendly event in 2009. Beach Revue history continues to grow each year through events, contestant participation, and attendance, and is officially the City of Galveston’s “Kickoff to Summer” event.2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Vintage Style Talk w/ Dandy Wellington @ the 1892 Bishop’s Palace | 12-1:30 p.m
Gin w/ Gin Cocktail Course @ DTO Galveston | 3-4 p.m.
Seaport Social & Revue Prevue @ Galveston Historic Seaport | 7-9 p.m.
Blind Tiger Speakeasy @ Private Location | 10-11:30 p.m.
Jazz for Listeners w/ Dandy Wellington @ the 1859 Ashton Villa | 12-1:30 p.m.Gin w/ Gin Cocktail Course @ DTO Galveston | 3-4 p.m
Bathing Beauties Revue @ Saengerfest Park | 5-9 p.m.
*FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
Queen City Cabaret @ the 1920 City National Bank Building | 10-11:30 p.m.
*SOLD OUT
Dubbed the “Pageant of Pulchritude” by C.E. Barfield, the Galveston beauty contest began in the summer of 1920 and, from then on, marked the kick-off for tourist season each year. By 1928, the event (which had morphed into the “bathing girl revue”) had become so popular the Island’s population was said to have tripled during the event weekend. These Island pageants are said to have been the beginning of what we know today as the Miss Universe Pageant. The famed Galveston Bathing Beauties pageants ended in 1932 due in part to the Great Depression.
Today’s Revue Weekend features events Friday through Sunday, the highlight being the Bathing Beauties Contest. The contest itself has become a must-see event as locals and tourists of all ages vie for a glimpse at the vintage swimsuits, parasols, and of course the “world-famous” Bathing Beauties themselves. Be part of Beach Revue history yourself and join for the family-friendly fun!
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
GHF was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last sixty years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, coastal resiliency and stewardship of historic properties. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life and conceives of history as an engaging story of individual lives and experiences on Galveston Island from the 19th century to the present day.
