Rex parade facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rex

Abbreviation	REX
Formation	1872; 153 years ago (1872)
Founded at	New Orleans, LA.
Type	Carnival Krewe
Location	New Orleans, LA.

Rex (started in 1872) is a special group in New Orleans that puts on one of the most famous parades during Mardi Gras Day. The word "Rex" means "King" in Latin. Because of this, Rex is known as "The King of Carnival."

History of Rex

Rex was created by New Orleans business people in 1872. They wanted to host a big show for the visit of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia. He was known locally as "Grand Duke Alexis." The founders also hoped to bring more tourists and businesses to New Orleans after the American Civil War.

Rex has held more parades in New Orleans than any other parade group. Their official song is "If Ever I Cease to Love." This song was chosen because Grand Duke Alexis liked the actress who sang it in a musical. She was performing in New Orleans when the first Rex parade happened in 1872. The song has been a part of Carnival ever since.

Who Can Join Rex

For a long time, only certain people could join Rex. However, in 1991, New Orleans passed a rule. It said that social groups, including Mardi Gras Krewes, had to show they did not treat people unfairly based on their background. This meant they had to share who their members were.

Some older groups, like the Mistick Krewe of Comus, decided not to parade anymore rather than share their member lists. But Rex chose to follow the new rule. They wanted to keep their important place in Mardi Gras. Later, courts decided that the rule was not allowed, but Rex continued to be open.

Even today, the Rex group and the Mistick Krewe of Comus still hold their yearly parties together on Mardi Gras night.

The Rex Parade

Rex parade float on Napoleon Avenue, mid 1990s

Rex parade in 1904, on Canal Street, New Orleans

Rex, 1907 Robert Henry Downman

Rex builds its parade floats using old techniques, all by hand. The floats are not built on old Civil War wagons. Instead, they are built on wagons that were once used by the city to collect trash in the late 1800s.

The Rex parade is organized by a group called The School of Design.

Since 1971, the parade has started at Napoleon Avenue and South Claiborne Avenue. It then goes down Napoleon to St. Charles Avenue. From there, it turns onto St. Charles and heads towards Canal Street. Rex's parade route never went through the French Quarter. This was even before the city stopped parades there in 1973.

Parade Themes

The theme for each year's parade is chosen more than a year ahead of time. As soon as one parade ends on Mardi Gras Day, artists start working on the next one. It takes thousands of hours to create a new parade. Because of this hard work and Rex's dedication to its history, many people think the Rex parade is the most beautiful part of New Orleans Carnival.

The Royal Court

Each year, one person from the Rex Organization is chosen to be the "King of Carnival." His proper title is simply "Rex." The identity of Rex is announced on Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras. Rex is always a well-known person in the city. They are usually involved in many good causes and community projects. Being chosen as Rex is one of the highest honors a person can receive in New Orleans. The Mayor of New Orleans traditionally gives the key to the city to Rex for Mardi Gras Day.

A "Queen of Carnival" is also chosen each year to be Rex's partner. The queen is always a young woman making her social debut that season. Like Rex, the queen is chosen in the spring of the year before. She must keep her identity a secret until Lundi Gras.

The Rex Ball

Besides its famous parade, the Rex Organization also holds a private party called a "ball" on Mardi Gras night. Only members and invited guests can attend. In the 1950s, this ball made news when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor bowed to Rex and the Queen of Carnival.

Before Hurricane Katrina, the Rex ball was held in one part of the Municipal Auditorium. At the same time, the Mistick Krewe (the oldest krewe) held its ball in another part of the building.

Meeting of the Courts

Since Hurricane Katrina, the Rex and Comus organizations have held their balls in downtown hotels. There's a special tradition where Comus, the ruler of the Mistick Krewe, invites Rex and his queen to join them at the Mistick Krewe's ball. This event is called The Meeting of the Courts. It's shown live on TV in New Orleans. Many people stay up late to watch until the very end of Carnival.

Le Boeuf Gras

In early Mardi Gras celebrations, parades sometimes included a live ox, called "Boeuf Gras" (which means "fatted ox"). The ox stood for the last meat people would eat before the start of Lent, a time of fasting.

The first time Boeuf Gras appeared in a modern parade was in 1867 with the Mistick Krewe. It was part of their parade called "Triumphs of Epicurus."

Boeuf Gras was also in the very first Rex parade. It was decorated with ribbons and garlands and walked right behind Rex. There's a story that a stockyard bull named Old Jeff was used in later years.

In 1900, Boeuf Gras was taken out of the Rex parade. People thought outsiders might not understand its meaning. Rex announced that a live ox "was not in harmony with the beautiful displays" of that time.

However, in 1959, Rex brought Boeuf Gras back as a papier-mâché float design.

Today, le Boeuf Gras is float number 4 in the Rex parade. It is surrounded by members dressed as butchers and bakers. Many of these members are past Kings of Carnival.

Pro Bono Publico

Since it started in 1872, Rex has always focused on helping the community. The Rex motto, "Pro Bono Publico," means "for the public good." This motto shows the group's dedication to service.

After Hurricane Katrina, Rex started "Operation Pro Bono Publico" in 2006. This was a series of community service projects. Rex helped police and first responders. They also organized a cleanup of the parade route after Mardi Gras. They continue to support New Orleans' Charter Schools.

Mardi Gras Colors

Rex chose purple, green, and gold as the official colors of Mardi Gras in 1892. These three colors have special meanings:

• Purple stands for justice.
• Green stands for faith.
• Gold stands for power.

Images for kids

Bulletin

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  1890 Rulers of Ancient Times

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  1895 Chronicles of Faery Land/Fantastic Tales for Young & Old

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  1899 Revelries of Rex

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  1903 Fetes and Feasts

Floats and Costumes

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

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  1875

Invitation

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  1877

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  1879 Admittance Card

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  1880

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  1880

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  1881

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  1882

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  1889

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  1894

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  1895

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  1895

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  1923 Admittance Card

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  1924 Admittance Card

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  1932 Admittance Card

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  1920 Admittance Card

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  1949 Admittance Card

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  1950 Admittance Card

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  1950 Admittance Card

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  1956 Admittance Card

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  1971 Admittance (F)

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  1971 Admittance (M)

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  1976

Parade

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  1873

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  1879

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  1907

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  1908

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  1959

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  1969 King & Dukes

Proclamation

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  1872

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  1912

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  1924

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  1947

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  1977

Tableau

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  George W. Clay was Rex, king of Carnival, in 1912, and his son, George W. Clay Jr., was a page.

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  New Orleans Mardi Gras, 1915. King and Queen of Rex, enthroned flanked by pages. "Rex, King of Carnival" was Ernest L. Jahncke. His Queen was Miss Sadie Downman. The pages were Masters Paul Jahncke, Jr. and Rueben Bush.

See also

• The Boston Club
• Boeuf gras
• The Mistick Krewe