Rex Parade

Rex (founded 1872) 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 and formation

Rex was organized by New Orleans businessmen in part to put on a spectacle in honor of the New Orleans visit of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia (remembered locally as "Grand Duke Alexis") during the 1872 Carnival season. Also in the minds of the founders of Rex was the desire to lure tourism and business to New Orleans in the years after the American Civil War.

Rex has held more parades in New Orleans than any other parading organization. Its official song is "If Ever I Cease to Love", a quirky tune from the 1870s musical "Bluebeard". This was adopted because the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia had a fondness for Lydia Thompson, the actress who sang the song in the musical, which was playing in New Orleans at the time of the first Rex parade in 1872. It has stuck around since then and is played often during Carnival.

Membership

Traditionally, the secretive membership was restricted to New Orleans residents of European ancestry for most of its history, typically being elected from the membership rolls of The Boston Club including the first Rex, Louis Solomon a Jewish businessman. However, in 1991 the New Orleans city council passed an ordinance that required social organizations, including Mardi Gras Krewes, to certify publicly that they did not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, in order to obtain parade permits and other public licensure. In effect, the ordinance required these, and other, private social groups to abandon their traditional code of secrecy and identify their members for the city's Human Relations Commission. The Mistick Krewe (along with Momus and Proteus, other 19th century Krewes) withdrew from parading rather than identify its membership. Rex decided to comply with the new ordinance, rather than disappear from the main event of Mardi Gras Day.
Two federal courts later declared that the ordinance was an unconstitutional infringement on First Amendment rights of free association and an unwarranted intrusion on the privacy of the groups subject to the ordinance. The decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals appears at volume 42, page 1483 of the ''Federal Reporter'' (3rd Series), or 42 F.3d 1483 (5th Cir. 1995). The Supreme Court refused to hear the city's appeal from this decision. Despite this, the other legendary krewes have not returned to the streets to parade. (Proteus later returned in 2000).

The Rex organization and the Mistick Krewe of Comus still hold their annual balls together on Mardi Gras night.

Parade

Rex assembles floats using techniques that have spanned generations, entirely by hand. Contrary to popular belief, Rex floats are not built over Civil War-era cotton wagons; they are instead built on wagons formerly employed by the City of New Orleans to collect refuse in the late 19th century.

The Rex parade is put on by The School of Design.

Since 1971, the parade has started at the corner of Napoleon Avenue and South Claiborne Avenue, proceeding south (river bound) on Napoleon to St. Charles Avenue, then east (downtown bound) on St. Charles to Canal Street. Unlike some other old-line krewes, Rex's route never went through the French Quarter prior to the city's ban on parades in the Vieux Carre which took effect in 1973.

Parade themes

The theme for each year's parade is decided more than a year in advance, and as soon as the parade is over on Mardi Gras Day, float artists begin work on the next year's parade. It takes thousands of man hours to create an entirely new parade, and it is for this reason, as well as the organization's commitment to its history and traditions, that many consider the Rex parade to be the highlight and most beautiful sight of New Orleans carnival.

Royal court

One member of the Rex Organization is each year chosen to be the monarch of the organization; he is often incorrectly referred to by the (technically redundant) phrase "King Rex". The correct title is simply "Rex". The identity of Rex is made public on Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras. Rex is always a prominent person in the city, one who is usually involved in several philanthropic and civic causes. Being chosen Rex is one of the highest civic honors a person can receive in New Orleans. The Mayor of New Orleans traditionally hands over the key to the city of New Orleans to Rex for Mardi Gras Day.

A consort is also chosen each year for Rex and she is titled the "Queen of Carnival". The queen is always a debutante of the current season. Like Rex, the queen is chosen in the spring of the previous year, and must keep her identity secret until Lundi Gras.

Ball

In addition to its famous parade, the Rex Organization also holds a private ball for its membership and invited guests on Mardi Gras night. In the 1950s, this ball made headlines when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor bowed down to Rex and the Queen of Carnival.

In recent decades, the Rex ball is held on one side of the Municipal Auditorium, while on the other half of the building at the same time, the Mistick Krewe (the oldest krewe), holds its ball.

Meeting of the courts

A rich tradition is that Comus of the Mistick Krewe extends an invitation to Rex and his queen to join him and his consort at the ball of the Mistick Krewe. This is called the " Meeting of the Courts", and when the monarchs have all made their exits, the Captain of the Mistick Krewe closes the curtain on the Carnival season. This event is televised live locally (and to selected areas outside of the city) – and many New Orleanians stay up to watch despite their weariness – until the very end.

The Municipal Auditorium was damaged during Hurricane Katrina and in recent years the organizations have held their balls in the Sheraton and Marriott Hotels on Canal Street, rolling out a red carpet for the Rex court to cross Canal Street to attend the Meeting of the Courts.

Le Boeuf Gras

In early Mardi Gras celebrations parades would include a live ox or Boeuf Gras (fatted ox). The ox represented the last meat to be eaten before the beginning of Lent.

The first appearance of Boeuf Gras in a modern parading Krewe was the Mistick Krewe 1867 parade entitled "Triumphs of Epicurus" including masked and costumed krewemen representing food and beverages with boeuf gras included.

Beouf gras was included in the first Rex parade decorated with garland and ribbons directly behind Rex. Legend has it that Old Jeff, a stockyard bull from Arabi, was used in later years.

In 1900 Boeuf Gras was taken out of the Rex parade as it was thought outsiders to traditional Mardi Gras would not understand. By proclamation from Rex usage of a live ox “was not in harmony with the beautiful displays which are produced in this era and (it) must be relegated to the past.”

In 1959 Rex issued another proclamation announcing the return of boeuf gras as a papier-mâché float design.

Today le boeuf gras is float 4 in the Rex parade and is surrounded by masked krewemen costumed as butchers and bakers many of whom are past kings of Carnival.

Pro Bono Publico

Since its founding in 1872, a few years after the civil war, Rex has constantly held itself to a tradition of public service. The Rex motto, "Pro Bono Publico" (for the public good) was adopted during this time, and continues to define the organization's commitment to service.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Rex organized a series of community service initiatives in 2006 under the banner "Operation Pro Bono Publico." The efforts of Rex targeted specific community needs such as support for police and other first responders, an organized clean-up effort of the Uptown parade route after Mardi Gras, as well as continued efforts to support New Orleans' Charter Schools."A Tradition of Service (Pro Bono Publico)"

Mardi Gras Colors

Rex established purple, green, and gold as the official colors of Mardi Gras in 1892. The three colors symbolize justice, faith, and power.

Gallery

Bulletin

File:Rex parade 1890 - The Picayune.jpg, 1890 Rulers of Ancient Times
File:Rex Parade 1895 Picayune Bulletin New Orleans Mardi Gras.jpg, 1895 Chronicles of Faery Land/Fantastic Tales for Young & Old
File:New Orleans Mardi Gras - 1899 Rex Parade Picayune Bulletin.jpg, 1899 Revelries of Rex
File:1903-Mardi-Gras-Carnival-Bulletin-New-Orleans-Parade2.jpg, 1903 Fetes and Feasts

Floats and Costumes

File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 01.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 03.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 02.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 04.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 05.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 06.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 07.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 08.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 09.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 10.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 11.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 12.jpg, 1875
File:Rex parade New Orleans Mardi Gras 1875 13.jpg, 1875

Invitation

File:Rex Ball, Mardi Gras 1877.jpg, 1877
File:Rex Ball Invitation New Orleans Mardi Gras 1879.jpg, 1879 Admittance Card
File:Rex Ball Invitation 1880 A.jpg, 1880
File:Rex Ball Invitation 1880 B.jpg, 1880
File:Rex Mardi Gras 1881 Invitation Art.jpg, 1881
File:Mardigras 1882 Rex card.jpg, 1882
File:Rex Ball Invitation - New Orleans Mardi Gras 1889.jpg, 1889
File:Rex Ball Invitiation 1894.jpg, 1894
File:Rex Ball Invitation - New Orleans Mardi Gras 1895 01.png, 1895
File:Rex Ball Invitation - New Orleans Mardi Gras 1895 02.png, 1895
File:Rex Ball Admit Mardi Gras 1923.jpg, 1923 Admittance Card
File:REX Mardi Gras Ball Admit 1924 (1).jpg, 1924 Admittance Card
File:Rex Ball Invitation Mardi Gras 1932.jpg, 1932 Admittance Card
File:Rex Admit Card New Orleans Mardi Gras 1920.jpg, 1920 Admittance Card
File:Rex admit card New Orleans Mardi Gras 1949 (male).jpg, 1949 Admittance Card
File:New Orleans Mardi Gras 1950 Rex admit card - 01.jpg, 1950 Admittance Card
File:New Orleans Mardi Gras 1950 Rex admit card - 02.jpg, 1950 Admittance Card
File:Rex Ball Admit New Orleans Mardi Gras 1956.jpg, 1956 Admittance Card
File:New Orleans Mardi Gras 1971 - Rex ball invite - female.jpg, 1971 Admittance (F)
File:New Orleans Mardi Gras 1971 - Rex ball invite - male.jpg, 1971 Admittance (M)
File:Rex Mardi Gras 1976 - Invitation.jpg, 1976

Parade

File:Rex Arrives on Horseback 1873 Scribners.jpg, 1873
File:New Orleans 1879 Rex FrankLeslie'sIllustrated.jpg, 1879
File:The "Rex" pageant, Mardi Gras Day, New Orleans, La. LCCN93508483.jpg, 1907
File:Rex Parade Brass Band 1908 Mays Drugs Godchauxs.jpg, 1908
File:Rex 1959 Jambalaya Mardi Gras New Orleans.jpg, 1959
File:New Orleans - Tulane Jambalaya 1969 - King Rex and Dukes.jpg, 1969 King & Dukes

Proclimation

File:Rex Parade 1872.jpg, 1872
File:New Orleans Mardi Gras 1912 - Rex Duke Proclamation.jpg, 1912
File:Rex Proclamation New Orleans Mardi Gras 1924.jpg, 1924
File:Rex Queen Proclamation - New Orleans Mardi Gras 1947.jpg, 1947
File:Rex Proclamation, New Orleans Mardi Gras 1977.jpg, 1977

Tableau

File:Rex 1912 on throne with son.jpg, George W. Clay was Rex, king of Carnival, in 1912, and his son, George W. Clay Jr., was a page.
File:Rex Monarchs New Orleans Mardi Gras 1915.jpg, 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
* Mistick Krewe

References

External links

Rex Organization
Official Site

{{DEFAULTSORT:Krewe of Rex
Parades in the United States
Mardi Gras in New Orleans
1872 establishments in Louisiana
Recurring events established in 1872