Rex King of Carnival - Parade

The Krewe of Rex's 2020 parade - "Omens and Auguries"Rex is Latin for "King" and Rex reigns as "The King of Carnival." We watched the whole parade that followed the Krewe of Zulu. We were treated to a beautiful procession which portrayed the world of prophets and oracles. I enjoyed seeing the cool floats as it rolled on Mardi Gras Day at 10 a.m. on the Uptown parade route.Background:The Krewe of Rex gave meaning to the Mardi Gras colors:Purple Represents JusticeGreen Represents FaithGold Represents Power Although the most coveted throw is the mighty doubloon from most [krewes], I really liked the signature and customized throws from the king and/or queen and their court"s floats. It has the name of the float and the year in the back making a nice keepsake of my Mardi Gras 2020 memories. I have a quite a few of these souvenirs, all from different floats. With the Rex grand traditions, rich and colorful themes, elaborate costumes (even the hooves on the Captain's horse were painted gold) and beautiful hand-painted floats, Rex is the King of Carnival. The crowd was deep and it didn't matter where you watched because they seem to favor throwing in the back. We were smack dab in front. Anyway, we were still able to catch the throws aimed at us.The Krewe of Rex is another one of my favorite parades. The float sculptures were amazing and some creepy (sculpture of Edgar Allan Poe surrounded by skulls and fluttering ravens and the three witches from "Macbeth"). The high school marching bands and the military parade was cool too!Everywhere else, it's just Tuesday! I like big beads and I cannot lie...Review #1738

Please note: Do not expose yourself at this parade. There are families with small children around. Police are nearby and you will be arrested and charged. You will not earn any beads and you will possibly be a felon.This year was the first year I have lived here that I have stuck around for this parade. It is the second parade of the day on the actual Fat Tuesday. I really do love this parade as a culmination of parades.A bit of history about this parade, from their website is as follows: 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". 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.The hoopla about this parade is the fact that each float (all 20+ floats) has its own individual set of beads that match the theme of that particular float, and a pillow in that design as well. I tried my hardest to catch a set from each float, and failed somewhat. But, I had fun, and it was a great time.The only gender neutral restrooms are the port-a-johns that are set out by the city. I am unsure of the restrooms of the bars, restaurants and stores along this parade route. This is an amazing parade that was fun and generous with the throws.

By the beard of Rex, this parade was generous! So, this was my first ever Rex parade. I may have attended another, but I was probably a kid so who the heck knows? We planted ourselves outside Avenue Pub (my idea, cough cough) and it turned out to be the perfect spot. There was nice cover by the balcony, thin drink and bathroom lines and we stood underneath the balcony happily catching throws.Oh hey, did you know that each float in Rex throws their own unique throw? I didn't! But you better believe I was doing my best to collect signature throws from every float. Some floats were better than others- some stalled and some zipped by. I know that Rex is the King of Carnival, but who cares? I'm here for the throws. We had a good time catching beads and this krewe was throwing and having a good time, so I was pleased. Also, I got to see the St. Aug Marching 100, which is always a treat. I'm excited I caught it maybe for the first...or second time.

Last week I got to tour the Rex Den as a fundraiser for the State Museum friends group. So I got a preview of the 2014 floats (see the most recent 3 photos). It was so fun to stroll around and check out all the details of the floats without worrying about being run over or dodging beads or other parade goers. As usual they are going with a classical theme of gods & goddesses and some of the floats are just gorgeous. It was also fun to stand underneath the Boeuf Gras and imagine him snorting down on me. As part of the tour, we were also able to view the robing room which features photos of Rex, gone by, and collections of archived scepters, crowns, costumes, etc. I'm so glad that I was able to wander through and get a preview. Can't wait for March 4th.

I actually lost a job for telling my employer that it is against my religion to work during Rex. I don't regret that, either. The crowning glory of my Mardi Gras experience is the Rex parade. My first memories of Mardi Gras all center around Rex, and my continued interest in Mardi Gras is tied first and foremost to Rex. This parade matters. Not to be all Wikipedia on you, but I need to explain the history of this parade to be fully satisfied with this review: Rex started parading in 1872. Their ultimate goal? To get more tourists to visit New Orleans after the War of Northern Aggression. (I think it worked.) The head of Rex (monikered "Rex") is THE king of all Carnival. This special post is revealed the day before the parade with great fanfare. If you want to know who the most important person in the city is on Fat Tuesday, go see Rex. If you want to party with the greats, get a ticket to the Rex ball. I have a great respect for tradition, and the pageantry of this organization is second to none. The huge floats lumbering by the stately oaks of St. Charles Avenue are a sight to behold, and they define my childhood. All the Krewes have special throws, but Rex beads are known the world over for their style. (I have a set for every year since I was born. Can we say "nerd" y'all?) Compared to the party parades (mostly the night parades) this is a sedate experience, but Rex is considered family friendly for a reason. I welcome sharing my catches with the kids who come out to see the King.

Rex is the rightful King of Mardi Gras! My first attempt to see Rex was in 2014. I waited after Zulu in the freezing cold rain for what seemed like forever, but it seemed that someone or something had broken down and Rex was not coming for another forever. The weather, combined with my recent bout with strep throat, convinced me to pack it in. It was a sad, sad day for all (well, mostly me, because I was too sick and cold to see Rex).Fast forward to 2015 and my body has mercifully waited to come down with a cold until after Mardi Gras day, and nature has blessed us with only freezing temperatures and not rain. A recipe for success if you've ever seen one!The pomp and circumstance, the fanfare, and the wait, are well worth it. Getting to see these classic floats was so awesome. I know some of my fellow yelpers were not thrilled with the theme this year (Early Wars in American History, I think), but I thought it was kind of cute in a weird-history-nerd kind of way. Made me reminisce back to AP US History from 100 years ago. I love that Rex has an individualized throw for each float, and that they are SO generous with their throws! I got beads from about 75% of the floats and cups from a couple as well. It was so fun to see all of the individual pendants for each float! I really loved Rex and can't wait to make it a usual stop in the future!

What gets better than the King of Carnival on Mardi Gras Day?!?Though rain has dampened the crowd for the recent two years, the jublilent spirit of the crowd remains the same.Each of Rex's floats has special and unique throws, which serve as rewards for the faithful.Outside of hoopla of Mardi Gras day, the benevolent focus of the Krewe, the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, has donated millions of dollars and time to local public schools and organizations. All Hail Rex!

My first time in years going to Rex. Grew up watching it almost every year. Took off the last several years due to crowd congestion and pandemonium. Fun Parade...This year was great. Loved the Theme of "Wars" they used this year. I'm not sure if it was the spot we were at...or just the fact that the signature throws are soo intricate, but catching anything was few and far between this year. The items we got and others around us were great. The S/O even made her own Mardi Gras wreath with some of the things we have managed to get. Soo...next year I'll be back...Gotta love the king of carnival.

By far the most beautiful of the day time parades, this crowning jewel of Carnival season has such a rich history and dearth of culture it is impossible to not appreciate it. The School of Design really does a service that is truly Pro Bono Publico. Plus, who doesn't love the Boeuf Gras.

It's okay if you love parades. I don't-I was born on Mardi Gras, at 4 pm. Lucky I made it. Rex is one of the nicer parades.