This article was taken from our archives. It reflects life in Bermuda in 1930, at a time when black Bermudians weren’t allowed to participate in events such as the floral pageant due to segregation laws. The article below details the events of Bermuda’s first flower pageant, and while we have chosen to include the full text from the original article, readers should note that where it says “Bermudians” what the author really means is: white Bermudians.
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Saturday, April 26, 1930 was a red-letter day in Bermuda’s history. On that day Bermuda “said it with flowers” when it staged its first All Bermuda Floral Pageant.
Starting at the B. A. A. Field, the parade, headed by the red-coated riders of the Paper Chase Club and comprised of decorated floats entered by most of the parishes as well as many institutions and organizations, of carriages and bicycles, passed in front of the reviewing stand at the Hamilton Hotel, down Queen Street and thence to the Bermudiana Waterfront, where the “Queen of the Flowers,” Miss Carolyn Cooper, held court and where, after folk-dancing, prizes were distributed by His Excellency, the Governor, Lieutenant-General Sir Louis Jean Bols, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O.
The Queen, Miss Carolyn Cooper, on her lily throne, receives homage.
Red-coated riders lend color to the parade as it passes through flowery lanes.
The irrepressible Sammy and his boys sound their “A’s.”
Miss Nash Pell and her flower girls, little Jane Stanley and Jean Aitken in their oleander bower.
Sunbonnet girls under the leadership of Mrs. Stanley Smith in the Bermuda Dancing School’s May pole float.
Mrs. J. Bingham Morris, Miss Frances Smith and Colin Crawley in the Historical Society’s lily-festooned carriage.
The victorious I. O. D. E. float with Miss Joyce Eve as Britannia, Clarence Masters as John Bull, and Miss Gladys Brown as West Indies.
Mrs. H. St. George Tucker, Miss Laura Nelmes and Messrs. Will Zuill and George Hutchings.
His Excellency, the Governor, Sir Louis Bols, Lady Bols, Vice-Admiral, Sir Cyril Fuller and Lady Fuller watch the folk-dancing.
Sammy Robbins and his Hamilton boys on their “vintages” of the past.
A young old-fashioned couple — Master Stuart Outerbridge and Miss Suzanne Outerbridge.
The Misses Marjorie Hoffman, Mary Povis and Carolyn Liese attend Old Dobbin.
St. George’s scores with St. George (Reginald Tucker), and the dragon of lilies and red geraniums.
Mrs. E. C. Wilkinson, Miss Betty Kitchener and Miss Frances Butterfield.
The Spanish Galleon of Smith’s Parish with sails of yellow calendula commemorating the landing of Ferdinando Camelo.
