THE KREWE OF REX

The PUGS are very happy to have daddy home sick today. While I was writing this post, I noticed that sitting side by side, Daisy and Muggs were at the entrance to the kitchen staring at me.

The look was familiar, indicating the demand for breakfast, which on my days off consists of an Aunt Jamima scrambled egg and bacon frozen breakfast (mixed of course with a half cup of Science Diet low fat dry dog food).

The pugs have been served, I can now continue.

The most distinguished Krewe to parade on Mardi Gras day, immediately following ZULU is the KREWE OF REX.

Formal to the extreme, it's members include some of the most distinguished and prominent families in New Orleans society.

The first Krewe to parade on Mardi Gras day, REX surfaced in 1872 when Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans. That year the krewe of Rex made their debut and began the tradition of the "King of Carnival."

Rex also introduced purple, gold and green ( purple represents justice; green, faith; and gold, power) as the official colors of Mardi Gras. Rex was the first krewe to hold an organized daytime parade and introduced "If Ever I Cease To Love" as the Mardi Gras anthem.

One of the high points of Rex is the arrival of the Rex King on a riverboat prior to the beginning of the parade.

In 1909 Zulu (an organization made up of black businessmen leaders) appeared as a parody of Rex. The Zulu King held a banana stalk scepter and wore a lard can crown. He arrived on on oyster lugger instead of a steamboat.

Zulu was destined to become one of the most popular and beloved of all krewes (see the following post).