Krewe of Rex

Date: Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012 | Location: Uptown | Time: 10:00am

Rich and colorful themes, maskers in original costumes and elaborately decorated and hand-painted floats all combine to make the annual Rex parade the centerpiece attraction of traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras.

Started in 1872 in a New Orleans still recovering from the Civil War, the Krewe of Rex is one of the oldest participating groups in Mardi Gras. This parade krewe is the origin of many traditions of Mardi Gras, including its colors of purple, green and gold, as well as the collectible doubloon coins (introduced by Rex in 1960). The Krewe of Rex consists of 600 male riders and parades on the New Orleans uptown route on Mardi Gras day.

2012 Mardi Gras News

The Krewe of Rex has added its first major parade float in decades for this year's Mardi Gras. The "Butterfly King" will debut in the fifth position on Mardi Gras day, February 21st. The float is scheduled to carry 26 riders, and it will become a permanent part of the lineup following this year.