At its peak in the late 1980s, Mardi Gras drew over 40,000 people to downtown Halifax on Hallowe'en.  Halifax was known across the country as the place to party on All Hallow's Eve.

Started spontaneously in the mid-1980s, Mardi Gras drew families early in the evening, then costumed revellers took over the downtown streets.  Argyle Street was cordoned off and the surrounding streets overflowed with partiers.

By the time these photographs were taken by Halifax Tourism in 1989, many felt Mardi Gras had degenerated into "a drunken brawl" (Alderman (later Mayor) Fitzgerald in a October 1990 report to Council).

After public complaints and concern about the cost of policing and clean-up, City Council formed the Mardi Gras Review Committee which found the night lacked control and coordination.  Yet aldermen were reluctant, because of cost and liablilty, to sponsor and coordinate the event.

The Mardi Gras Review Committee recommended that the City continue to only provide police and clean-up services, and seek an independent coordinator to give the night direction.

In 1992, Dale Thompson, founder of the Buskers Festival, proposed a 3-day Mardi Gras festival, but ran into opposition from UNICEF who feared the planned children's parade would detract from its annual Masquerade for Children held at the World Trade Centre , later at the Armouries.

Thompson withdrew his plan and a 1994 proposal from Moosehead Breweries to organize a Grand Parade Mardi Gras also failed. 

Hallowe'en is still celebrated heartily in Halifax, but the spontaneous rowdiness of Mardi Gras has been replaced by organized events such as Nocturne, the Busker's Festival, or In the Dead of the Winter.