For decades, Splash Day was the official start of summer tourism in Galveston, drawing thousands of visitors to the island’s shores. Originally known as the Bathing Girl Revue, the event debuted in 1920 as an elaborate beachside pageant celebrating the beginning of the local summer season. 

 Over time, it evolved into a major spectacle, featuring parades, beauty contests, and festive gatherings that embodied the island’s vibrant spirit. 

 By 1928, Splash Day had grown so popular that it tripled Galveston’s population during its weekend festivities. The event’s signature Bathing Girl Revue beauty contest, later renamed the International Pageant of Pulchritude, attracted contestants from around the world and is said to have inspired the Miss Universe Pageant. 

 However, the famed Bathing Beauties pageants came to an end in 1932, largely due to the Great Depression. 

 Following World War II, Splash Day was revived, with its beauty contest rebranded as Miss Splash Day. The event continued to thrive, featuring parades along the Seawall, complete with bands, drill teams, riding posses, and floats. 

 The Bathing Beauties Contest remained a highlight, with contestants modeling swimwear and nautical attire before posing for photo shoots and water pageants. At its peak, Splash Day was even televised nationally, further cementing its status as a must-see summer tradition. 

 Though Splash Day officially ended in 1965, its legacy lives on through the Galveston Island Revue Weekend, which celebrates many of the same traditions. In 2009, elements of Splash Day and the original Beach Revue were revived, transforming them into a modern, family-friendly event known as Revue Weekend. Today, this annual gathering continues to grow, serving as Galveston’s official “Kickoff to Summer” event. 

 While Splash Day may be a thing of the past, its influence on Galveston’s beach culture remains undeniable. From its glamorous beauty contests to its lively parades, the event helped shape the island’s reputation as a premier summer destination, leaving behind a legacy of celebration, community, and beachside charm.