Here are some photos of past sun queens, princess, and duchesses. The Southwestern El Paso Sun Carnival was founded in 1935.
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Dr. C.M. Henricks came up with the name and won the contest that was held to decide what to name this event. The first game was on Jan 1, 1935, it was between the El Paso High School Football Team, El Paso All-Stars and the Rangers at El Paso High School Stadium. The first celebration had no queen. On December 1935, Ruth Staten was crowned and she presided over the celebration in 1936, when the Sun Carnival turned to college football, Hardin Simmons and New Mexico State on Jan 1, 1936. Decades before in 1902, Gertrude Catlin Mitchell was crowned queen at the El Paso Mid-Winter Carnival in 1902, a predecessor to the Sun Carnival. The Frist Midwinter Carnival was held in 1901 and the first queen was Claire Kelly who was crowned at Myar Opera House. The Last Mid-Winter Queen was Edith Newman in 1903. By 1904, El Pasoans have lost interest in the carnival. Staten was elected by popular vote and later was married to Richard Stewart. The couple died in a plane crash years later. The 1936 Sun Carnival Coronation also helped kick off the Texas Centennial Celebration which celebrated the 100th anniversary of Texas Independence.
-Joseph Longo