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.[citation needed] The Mayor of New
Orleans traditionally hands over a symbolic 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.
Rex has held more parades in New Orleans than any other organization. Its official song
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.[citation needed] The Mayor of New
Orleans traditionally hands over a symbolic 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.
Rex has held more parades in New Orleans than any other organization. Its official song
Rex (founded 1872) is a New Orleans Carnival Krewe
which stages the city's largest parade 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 Rex parade is put on by an organization called The
School of Design.
One member of the Rex Organization is each year
chosen to be the monarch of the organization; he is often
which stages the city's largest parade 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 Rex parade is put on by an organization called The
School of Design.
One member of the Rex Organization is each year
chosen to be the monarch of the organization; he is often
Carnival Time at the turn of the 19th century. A parade is coming up Royal Street and
turning lakebound on Canal Street. This was a common route for parades at the time.
(Parades no longer go through the Quarter because the crowds are too large and pose a
fire hazard to the old buildings.)
Electrifying Canal Street has brought a few changes to downtown. The wires all over
make for busy photographs, to be sure. The higher poles are carrying power to the
buildings, and the lower wires are for the streetcars.
The monument to Henry Clay, which occupied the entire Canal Street neutral ground
between St. Charles Ave. and Royal Street has been cut back dramatically. The massive
round base of the monument was an obstruction to streetcars. The old mule-drawn
cars could easily maneuver around the statue, but the electric streetcars need to follow
their wires, so the monument had to be altered. Even with the cutback of the base, the
statue was still a problem for streetcars, because they barely had room to pass. In
1901, the city decided to remove the statue from Canal Street and relocate Mr. Clay to
Lafayette Park, where he remains today.
turning lakebound on Canal Street. This was a common route for parades at the time.
(Parades no longer go through the Quarter because the crowds are too large and pose a
fire hazard to the old buildings.)
Electrifying Canal Street has brought a few changes to downtown. The wires all over
make for busy photographs, to be sure. The higher poles are carrying power to the
buildings, and the lower wires are for the streetcars.
The monument to Henry Clay, which occupied the entire Canal Street neutral ground
between St. Charles Ave. and Royal Street has been cut back dramatically. The massive
round base of the monument was an obstruction to streetcars. The old mule-drawn
cars could easily maneuver around the statue, but the electric streetcars need to follow
their wires, so the monument had to be altered. Even with the cutback of the base, the
statue was still a problem for streetcars, because they barely had room to pass. In
1901, the city decided to remove the statue from Canal Street and relocate Mr. Clay to
Lafayette Park, where he remains today.
| 1. What event? 2. What city? 3. What date does this event fall on this year? Bonus: What is on this corner today? |
 |  |  |  |
| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
 |  |  |  |
| 1. Rex Parade, Mardi Gras 2. New Orleans 3. February 24, 2009 The picture shows intersection of Royal and Canal Sts. facing south. The Solaris Boutique is located on the northeast corner towards the camera, at 701 Canal St.Naghi's is on the facing southeast corner at 639 Canal. This was the 1906 Rex Parade (February 27). On first float is Captain Alexander M. Halliday who reigned as Rex that year. See http://www.shorpy.com/node/4525 |
| ********** |
| Click here to see results of 5th occasional photoquiz survey. |
| Answer to Quiz #191 - 4 January 2009 |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| Quiz #191 results |
| Click here to see results of 5th occasional photoquiz survey. |
| The bonus was a bit tricky because the signs on the building to the left in the photo seemed to indicate that it was then the St. James Hotel; which in turn would lead one to believe that corner was occupied by the Board of Trade Plaza. But actually, St. James Hotel was a couple of blocks over on Magazine St; which wouldn't give us this view. On the right side of the photo we see a partial view of the ORHEUM sign which hung over Canal St. In the center one building is marked 635; so, a search for 635 Canal St looking towards the dome building which used to be the Godchaux department store (but is a Marriott hotel today) puts us across from the corner of Canal and Royal. Solaris Boutique should be the replacement for Gen'L Arthur Cigar. The corner of the photographers view point (Canal St/St Charles Ave.) holds Denim Den. Also used Google Street View to match up window configuration on Thos. Griffin Building as well as block work on Maryland Club building. John Sims |
| How John Solved the Bonus Question |
| Congratulations to Our Winners Mr. Rick and his Quiz Angel Jina Yi. Are they good or what? Marilyn Hamill Jocelyn Thayer Dawn Carlile Judy Pfaff Diane Burkett FootNoteMaven Tom Tollefsen Dave Doucette Lexie Condit Linda Dean Teresa Yu Carolyn Cornelius Dan Schesinger Gina Ortega Milene Rawlinson Angie McLaughlin Norm Smith Gary Sterne Carl Blessing Bill Utterback Don Haase Alan Cullinan Carol Darrow Wayne Douglas Mike Dalton Pat Crosley Joycelyn Thayer Joshua Kreitzer Robin Depietro Marilyn Hamill Maureen O'Connor Cari Thomas Betty Chambers Dennis Brann Mary South Tamura Jones John Chulick Stan Read Nancy Gamelin Jim Kiser Deborah Campisano Karen Petrus Margaret Waterman Tina Kowis Karen Kay Bunting Sandy Thompson Sandra McConathy Douglas Smith Robert Edward McKenna, Quiz Poet Laureate |
| Comments from Our Readers |
I've ridden down this street in Bacchus over twenty years. I quit several years ago
when I retired. The formidable building in the background was the Department Store
Godchauxs which is now occupied by a rather routine building: a Marriott Hotel. See
old photo from the other direction: Click here.
This is the 1906 Feb 27th Rex Parade with the Theme of "Utopia". This is the corner of
Canal and Royal. The 600 to 700 block of Canal. See this link for more:
www.shorpy.com/node/4525. Folks dressed rather nicely during those days didn't
they?
Mardi Gras this year is Feb 24, 2009.
Does most of the quizmasters realize that Mardi Gras is "Fat Tuesday" the day before
the Lenten season begins on Ash Wed. Hope you share the link that dissects this picture
very well. Jim Kiser
N.B. The Krewe of Bacchus is one of the other clubs that holds a parade during
Mardi Gras season. There are many others. The two big parades that occurr on
Mardi Gras day are those of the Krewe of Rex and the Krewe of Comus.
*****
Actually I started the research of the photograph with C. Bennett Moore. As his sign
was prominent in the photograph I figured a wise photographer would have been sure a
photograph was also an advertisement. Dumb luck! Foot Note Maven
*****
I lucked out and the second search I did was on Gen'l Arthur Cigar and I found this
website (www.shorpy.com) which answers all except this year's date (that is assuming
the answers are correct, but you will tell me if they aren't). Milene Rawlinson
*****
This is a photo in the Library of Congress of the New Orleans Mardi Gras (The Red
Pageant) as a glass negative, taken between 1900 and 1910. This year's Mardi Gras will
fall on 24 February. This is probably Canal Street in the photo, and I believe that the
St.James Hotel is still standing on a corner there, but I cannot swear to that one.
Bill Utterback
N.B. This is the Rex Parade, and not the Red Parade. That was a typo on the LOC
site. The St. James Hotel was torn down a long time ago. Retail establishments now
occupy that corner.
*****
I miss getting my weekly King Cake fix. Diane Burkett (from New Orleans)
*****
The date is sometime in the early 1900's looking at the clothing. Notice that they ARE
wearing clothing. No drag queen parades here!
My puritanical roots are showing when I say that going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans
and visiting Las Vegas are both on my list of things I never want to do. (Now hearing
some good Preservation Hall Jazz and Pete Fountain are another thing!)
Marilyn Hamill
*****
OK The Gang is back from the Christmas break..Wild as ever...SSometime in the
future, Jina wants to do a Mardi Gras-She is Thinking of making a key carrier for her
chair. Mr. Rick and Jina Yi
N.B. If you go to Mardi Gras without me, I'll be P.O.'d!
*****
If this photo was taken by C. Bennette Moore, he managed to get his sign into the
photo - a clever way to sign his work, or a way to advertise depending on how the
photo was to be used. Mr. Moore only owned the studio for a couple years at this
point and hadnt built his reputation yet. John Chulick
N.B. Yes the picture was taken by C. Bennett Moore. Surprise, surprise!
*****
I have to confess that I'm seriously "direction challenged". If I didn't have a GPS I
would never know which direction I was heading in. I should have gone with the
obvious from Shorpy's instead of finding the wrong Marriott (JW Marriott at 614 Canal
St.) instead of the REALLY BIG Marriott at Canal and Chartres. Sheesh! So the bonus
answer is Solaris Boutique. It's a pity that they demolished all those gorgeous buildings.
Mary South
when I retired. The formidable building in the background was the Department Store
Godchauxs which is now occupied by a rather routine building: a Marriott Hotel. See
old photo from the other direction: Click here.
This is the 1906 Feb 27th Rex Parade with the Theme of "Utopia". This is the corner of
Canal and Royal. The 600 to 700 block of Canal. See this link for more:
www.shorpy.com/node/4525. Folks dressed rather nicely during those days didn't
they?
Mardi Gras this year is Feb 24, 2009.
Does most of the quizmasters realize that Mardi Gras is "Fat Tuesday" the day before
the Lenten season begins on Ash Wed. Hope you share the link that dissects this picture
very well. Jim Kiser
N.B. The Krewe of Bacchus is one of the other clubs that holds a parade during
Mardi Gras season. There are many others. The two big parades that occurr on
Mardi Gras day are those of the Krewe of Rex and the Krewe of Comus.
*****
Actually I started the research of the photograph with C. Bennett Moore. As his sign
was prominent in the photograph I figured a wise photographer would have been sure a
photograph was also an advertisement. Dumb luck! Foot Note Maven
*****
I lucked out and the second search I did was on Gen'l Arthur Cigar and I found this
website (www.shorpy.com) which answers all except this year's date (that is assuming
the answers are correct, but you will tell me if they aren't). Milene Rawlinson
*****
This is a photo in the Library of Congress of the New Orleans Mardi Gras (The Red
Pageant) as a glass negative, taken between 1900 and 1910. This year's Mardi Gras will
fall on 24 February. This is probably Canal Street in the photo, and I believe that the
St.James Hotel is still standing on a corner there, but I cannot swear to that one.
Bill Utterback
N.B. This is the Rex Parade, and not the Red Parade. That was a typo on the LOC
site. The St. James Hotel was torn down a long time ago. Retail establishments now
occupy that corner.
*****
I miss getting my weekly King Cake fix. Diane Burkett (from New Orleans)
*****
The date is sometime in the early 1900's looking at the clothing. Notice that they ARE
wearing clothing. No drag queen parades here!
My puritanical roots are showing when I say that going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans
and visiting Las Vegas are both on my list of things I never want to do. (Now hearing
some good Preservation Hall Jazz and Pete Fountain are another thing!)
Marilyn Hamill
*****
OK The Gang is back from the Christmas break..Wild as ever...SSometime in the
future, Jina wants to do a Mardi Gras-She is Thinking of making a key carrier for her
chair. Mr. Rick and Jina Yi
N.B. If you go to Mardi Gras without me, I'll be P.O.'d!
*****
If this photo was taken by C. Bennette Moore, he managed to get his sign into the
photo - a clever way to sign his work, or a way to advertise depending on how the
photo was to be used. Mr. Moore only owned the studio for a couple years at this
point and hadnt built his reputation yet. John Chulick
N.B. Yes the picture was taken by C. Bennett Moore. Surprise, surprise!
*****
I have to confess that I'm seriously "direction challenged". If I didn't have a GPS I
would never know which direction I was heading in. I should have gone with the
obvious from Shorpy's instead of finding the wrong Marriott (JW Marriott at 614 Canal
St.) instead of the REALLY BIG Marriott at Canal and Chartres. Sheesh! So the bonus
answer is Solaris Boutique. It's a pity that they demolished all those gorgeous buildings.
Mary South
Looking [north] from Magazine and
Decatur Streets. In the next block, at
Camp and Chartres Streets, we see
streetcars on almost every track, including
the center track terminus for the City Park
and Levee & Barracks lines. Centered in
the picture is Godchaux's Department
Store, at Canal and Chartres. There is a
ladder propped up on the roof of the
“gallery” near the right side of the picture,
in front of the building on Canal Street at
Decatur. — Grombach-Faisans Co.
Decatur Streets. In the next block, at
Camp and Chartres Streets, we see
streetcars on almost every track, including
the center track terminus for the City Park
and Levee & Barracks lines. Centered in
the picture is Godchaux's Department
Store, at Canal and Chartres. There is a
ladder propped up on the roof of the
“gallery” near the right side of the picture,
in front of the building on Canal Street at
Decatur. — Grombach-Faisans Co.
| The southeast corner of the intersection of Canal and Royal St. as it appears today. See for yourself on Google Maps Street View. Click here. |
| A TRULY GREAT SHOW The picture of the Monti Gras Parade taken in the early 1900's, A presentation celebrating Rex, as the King of the Parade. Celebrated with the theme of the Pageant, as Utopia, New Orleaneans at the time felt that they had things made. In 2009 the Monti Gras celebration will be held on February 24, The day before the Ash Wednesday's annual observation. The current corner of Canal and Magazine Streets, Displays a Mini Mart and a building undergoing renovation. Robert Edward McKenna Quiz Poet Laurreate ***** Oh gosh you have fallen for our red herring. You seemed to have lost your usual bearing. The St. James Hotel has moved, no longer seen on Rue Royal since it moved to Rue Magazine. The view is where Royal with Canal intersects It's a photo of the Mardi Gras float with King Rex. Hardly surprising the southeast corner store The photo was taken by C. Bennett Moore! Colleen Fitzpatrick Quizmaster General Quiz Poet Laureate Understudy |
| The northeast corner of the intersection of Canal and Royal St. where the Solaris Boutique is located today. See for yourself on Google Maps Street View. Click here. |
| 701 Canal St. |
| 639 Canal St. |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| Canal c. Royal circa 1905 http://www.canalstreetcar.com/history/ |
| On the corner of Canal Street & Royal Street, "C. Bennette Moore Photography" is now Naghi's (jewelery, I believe) and the "St. James Hotel Lodging "is now Solaris Boutique. On corner of Canal Street and Exchange Place, where "M. Scooler Diamond and Jewelry Business" was, it is now Canal Video Camera. The building to its left is a Popeyes. On the other corner, where the Shoe Shop sign is, it's now "Voodoo Mart." Nancy Gamelin |
| Nancy Did Her Homework! |
| ********** |
| C. Bennett Moore http://www.bergeronstudio.com/cb_moore/cb_moore.html |
The late C. Bennette Moore, who passed suddenly
December 8, 1939 at the height of his career, was born in
Sauk Center, Minnesota in 1879. As a very young man he
enlisted for the Spanish-American War and following his
discharge from the service, entered the employ of Emile
Rivoire, famed French photographer of New Orleans. In
1904, he purchased the studio, re-named it and proceeded
during the following thirty-five years to establish a
reputation for portraiture which made his name known.
December 8, 1939 at the height of his career, was born in
Sauk Center, Minnesota in 1879. As a very young man he
enlisted for the Spanish-American War and following his
discharge from the service, entered the employ of Emile
Rivoire, famed French photographer of New Orleans. In
1904, he purchased the studio, re-named it and proceeded
during the following thirty-five years to establish a
reputation for portraiture which made his name known.
throughout the south.
From all parts of Louisiana and many surrounding states the best people traveled to
New Orleans to have their portraits taken by C. Bennette Moore. After Moore's death,
the studio was kept open by his wife and daughters until the late 1960s. When the
studio closed Eugenie Stoll, a grandaughter, left New Orleans and placed the collection
into carefully filed boxes. In 1999, Joseph Bergeron, owner of the Bergeron Studio &
Gallery and a former employee of the Moore Studio, began displaying various
photographic collections from the turn of the century, including some of the work by
C.Bennette Moore. Recently Eugenie Stoll Regan returned to the New Orleans area with
the entire collection, which includes such things as 8 x 10 glass plate negatives, 4 x 5"
negatives, original steel plate negatives and handpainted photographs. The unique
collection represents not only a high degree of artistic and technical skill; it exemplifies
the style and techniques of an earlier period. In a few years, the plates, negatives and
even cameras of traditional photography will most likely begin to gather dust as
digitalization advances. Read more....
From all parts of Louisiana and many surrounding states the best people traveled to
New Orleans to have their portraits taken by C. Bennette Moore. After Moore's death,
the studio was kept open by his wife and daughters until the late 1960s. When the
studio closed Eugenie Stoll, a grandaughter, left New Orleans and placed the collection
into carefully filed boxes. In 1999, Joseph Bergeron, owner of the Bergeron Studio &
Gallery and a former employee of the Moore Studio, began displaying various
photographic collections from the turn of the century, including some of the work by
C.Bennette Moore. Recently Eugenie Stoll Regan returned to the New Orleans area with
the entire collection, which includes such things as 8 x 10 glass plate negatives, 4 x 5"
negatives, original steel plate negatives and handpainted photographs. The unique
collection represents not only a high degree of artistic and technical skill; it exemplifies
the style and techniques of an earlier period. In a few years, the plates, negatives and
even cameras of traditional photography will most likely begin to gather dust as
digitalization advances. Read more....
| C. Bennett Moore |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| The Orpheum Sign http://www.cs.uiuc.edu/homes/friedman/canal/Pic210.htm |
We are looking at the back side of the
Orpheum sign that hung at the St.
Charles/Royal intersection. Since the
front of the sign faced the river, we are
looking in, toward the river. The closest
car is number 256, on the lakebound inner
track, probably one of the Jackson &
Sharp cars built in 1899. At the right, a
Orpheum sign that hung at the St.
Charles/Royal intersection. Since the
front of the sign faced the river, we are
looking in, toward the river. The closest
car is number 256, on the lakebound inner
track, probably one of the Jackson &
Sharp cars built in 1899. At the right, a
car is just completing the turn from St. Charles Street onto the inner riverbound track,
presumably on the Coliseum or Henry Clay line. We can see a sign for the Peoples
Bank at the top of one of the buildings on the right (uptown) side of Canal Street. At
the far left, we can just see a multi-seat automobile, an early bus, awaiting passengers
— a sign of things to come. — Acmegraph Co.
presumably on the Coliseum or Henry Clay line. We can see a sign for the Peoples
Bank at the top of one of the buildings on the right (uptown) side of Canal Street. At
the far left, we can just see a multi-seat automobile, an early bus, awaiting passengers
— a sign of things to come. — Acmegraph Co.
| ********** |
| Rex 1906, Alexander N. Halliday, lived at 1415 Exposition Blvd. which borders Audubon Park. He was born in Indianapolis about 1840. At the age of 42, he married Henrietta Cook Pickles (widow of Edwin Beebe) on 8/31/1882 and worked for his father-in-law Thomas Pickle as a Superindent of the New Orleans ferry boat concessions. |
| Rex 1906 Alexander N. Halliday |
| A traditional New Orleans King Cake, served only during the Mardi Gras season More info, click here. |
| The Rex Procession is led by the Captain of the Rex Organization, known publicly only by the title "Bathurst." Masked and astride his white mount, he acknowledges the crowd as he leads the parade from the den, down St. Charles Avenue, and into and through the city's business district. |
| Placed at intervals throughout the parade are His Majesty's lieutenants. They ride in groups of three, wearing gold-trimmed velvet uniforms of purple, green, and gold, the royal colors. |
| Rex 2005 Michael Rapier |
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 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.
tune from the 1870s musical
"Bluebeard". This was adopted
because the Grand Duke Alexis of
Russia had a fondness for 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.
Rex has been incorrectly categorized as a "Super Krewe;" these are parades such as
Bacchus, Endymion, and Orpheus that employ cutting edge technology such as
fiber-optic lighting to create floats sometimes large enough to carry hundreds of riders.
Rex, by comparison, still 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; the truth, as often is the case, is less glamorous. All Rex
floats are built on wagons formerly employed by the City of New Orleans to collect
refuse in the late 19th century.
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.
In addition to its famous parade, the Rex Organization also holds a private ball for its
Bacchus, Endymion, and Orpheus that employ cutting edge technology such as
fiber-optic lighting to create floats sometimes large enough to carry hundreds of riders.
Rex, by comparison, still 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; the truth, as often is the case, is less glamorous. All Rex
floats are built on wagons formerly employed by the City of New Orleans to collect
refuse in the late 19th century.
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.
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 of
Comus (the oldest krewe), holds its ball. A
rich tradition is that Comus (the
monarch), extends an invitation to Rex
and his queen to join him and his consort
at the Comus ball. This is called the
"Meeting of the Courts", and when the
monarchs have all made their exits, the
Captain of Comus literally 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 - the very end.
Since its founding in 1872, a few years
after the civil war, Rex has constantly held
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 of
Comus (the oldest krewe), holds its ball. A
rich tradition is that Comus (the
monarch), extends an invitation to Rex
and his queen to join him and his consort
at the Comus ball. This is called the
"Meeting of the Courts", and when the
monarchs have all made their exits, the
Captain of Comus literally 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 - the very end.
Since its founding in 1872, a few years
after the civil war, Rex has constantly held
| Boeuf Gras |
| The Rex parade dedicates a permanent float to an enduring symbol of Mardi Gras, the Boeuf Gras. Riders on this float dress as masked cooks, another symbol of the feasting on "Fat Tuesday" before the austerity of Lent. Quizmaster trivia: My father Emmett Martin Fitzpatrick, a retired florist, made the garland that is shown around the bull's neck. Colleen Fitzpatrick Quizmaster General |
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.
good) was adopted during this time, and continues to define the organization's
commitment to service.
| St. Louis Cathedral http://www.bergeronstudio.com/... |
| C. Bennett Moore http://www.bergeronstudio.com/cb_moore/11.html |