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The Rex Organization (founded 1872), [1] commonly referred to simply as Rex, is a New Orleans Carnival krewe which stages one of the city's most celebrated parades on Mardi Gras Day. Rex is Latin for ' king ', and Rex reigns as "The King of Carnival". History. Carnival has ancient roots and has been celebrated in many cultures for many centuries. How did New Orleans become almost synonymous with Carnival, or Mardi Gras, and how did Rex become the King of the New Orleans Carnival? The histories of Carnival, Rex and this old and unique American city weave together in fascinating ways. They are the origin of many Mardi Gras traditions, including the official Carnival colors of purple, green and gold, as well as the collectible doubloon coins (introduced by Rex in 1960). The Krewe consists of 600 male riders and parades on the New Orleans Uptown route on Mardi Gras day, immediately after Zulu. Rex's Proclamation invites his subjects to the grand celebration of Carnival. His royal colors of purple, green, and gold are to this day the colors of Mardi Gras, and the song played in the first Rex parade, "If Ever I Cease to Love," has become Carnival's anthem. Rex and his Queen preside over the Rex Ball, Carnival's glittering conclusion. Legend has it that the first parade of Rex, King of Carnival, was created in 1872 as a last moment effort to entertain the Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff, whose visit to the city would coincide with Mardi Gras that year. Legend misses the point. In 1872 New Orleans was still suffering through reconstructions. Tensions were high. The Rex Organization shares its Mardi Gras history and traditions in New Orleans. Editor's Note This video is an excerpt from NOLA.com's 2021 "Mardi Gras for All Y'all" broadcast. The Rex Parade. The Rex Procession has been the highlight of Mardi Gras day since the Rex Organization was formed and first paraded in 1872. While there had been celebrations in many forms on Mardi Gras before that time, the Rex Parade gave a brilliant daytime focus to the festivities, and provided a perfect opportunity for Rex, King of Carnival, to greet his city and his subjects. On the day before Mardi Gras beginning in 1874, Rex, the King of Carnival, would arrive by boat at the riverfront and with great pomp. The King and his royal court would travel from the river to City Hall in grand carriages where the mayor and various city officials would present Rex with the keys to the city and grant him temporary rule of the city beginning at sunrise on Mardi Gras morning. The Mardi Gras king is a true New Orleans icon, and he will always be a part of the city’s rich history. They had one of their members, Lewis J. Solomon, chosen as the first Rex, King of Carnival. A local actor who was performing in town at the time gave him a crown, scepter, and costume in order for him to begin his reign. Just in time for Mardi Gras, this new exhibit celebrates the history and contributions of the Rex organization to the Carnival season, and commemorates the sesquicentennial of the organization. Since its founding in 1872, Rex, also known by its official name, the School of Design, has taken on an unparalleled leadership role in Carnival Every year, as winter fades and spring approaches, the streets of New Orleans explode with color, music, and celebration. Mardi Gras, the grandest festival in Louisiana, is famous for its parades, beads, masked revelers, and deep cultural traditions. Rex, one of the oldest Mardi Gras krewes, has been participating in parades since 1872 and established purple, gold and green as the iconic Mardi Gras colors. Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is more than just a day of celebration; it is a vibrant expression of culture, history, and community. It embodies the spirit of revelry and resilience passed down through generations. From the intricate designs of the costumes to the melodies of the marching bands, every element contributes to the unique charm of this centuries-old Q: How many “Mardi Gras” themed parades take place in New Orleans every year? A: Over 70 parades. Q: What is “Krewe du Vieux”? A: A unique parade known for its satire and political commentary. Q: What is “Rex” known for in Mardi Gras history? A: Being the king of the Carnival and leading the Rex Parade Brian Costello, author of Carnival in Louisiana: Celebrating Mardi Gras from the French Quarter to the Red River, writes, "The Carnival season and Mardi Gras day trace their roots from the Bacchanalia and Saturnalia ritual promiscuity of Roman times. With the spread of Christianity, similar revelry occurred during the period of carnival (Latin In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated America's very first Mardi Gras. In 1704, Mobile established a secret society (Masque de la Mobile), similar to those that form our current Mardi Gras krewes. It lasted until 1709. In 1710, the "Boeuf Gras Society" was formed and paraded from 1711 through 1861. The Boeuf Gras rolls in the Rex parade down St. Charles Ave. on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Staff Photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune) STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD After the Civil War, Comus returned to the parade scene in 1866. Four years later, the Twelfth Night Revelers debuted. This unique group made Carnival history at its 1871 ball when a young women was presented with a golden bean hidden inside a giant cake, signifying her selection as Mardi Gras’ first queen and starting the “king cake” tradition. On March 2, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it "Pointe du Mardi Gras" when his men realized it was the eve of the festive holiday. Bienville also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. Rain forced the cancellation of the Rex parade in 1933, but as Reid Mitchell relates in his book All on a Mardi Gras Day: Episodes in the History of New Orleans Carnival, Chris Valley and fellow brothers in the Elks Lodge hit the streets with a truck float and five-piece band. When police refused them entry onto Canal Street — a space
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