Rex changes things up for 2025 Mardi Gras

The Rex Organization today announced a change to its parade that alters a decades-old tradition.

For many years, the Queen of Carnival and her court would view the parade from stands in front of the InterContinental New Orleans, on St. Charles Ave. just off Poydras St. But in 2025, the queen will set up outside Pascal's Manale restaurant on Napoleon Ave. at Dryades St.

"The Rex Parade starts at 10:30 am, and the Rex Court needs to depart the Queen of Carnival’s Reviewing Stands by 2:00 pm in order to stay on schedule for the remainder of the afternoon and evening," the carnival club explained in its announcement. "Regrettably, the Rex Court has typically missed viewing at least part of the procession over the last several years."

Just eleven blocks from Rex's starting point on Napoleon at S. Claiborne Ave., it sets up the queen to receive her toast from the King of Carnival sometime between 10:50 and 11:20.

It should also allow the Rex court to view the entire parade before it must leave to get ready for the Rex/Comus ball that evening.

"Today’s announcement is also a step toward ensuring the Rex Parade is completed safely and timely in four hours, by 2:30 pm, which should help all involved, especially the truck float parades that follow the Rex Parade," the Rex Organization announced.