New Orleans tourism industry officials have joined Rex, the King of Carnival in issuing Rex's annual edict to the world that Carnival season is upon us and will be celebrated once again in 2022, after taking a hiatus in 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic. 2022 also marks the 150th anniversary of the Rex Organization.
Carnival begins each year on January 6, known as “Twelfth Night,” and lasts through Mardi Gras day, which falls on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Parades will once again roll according to the traditional schedule, with modifications to parade routes for crowd health and safety concerns, yet will still be imbued with sacred Carnival traditions and the season’s unique creative spirit.
“The Rex Royal proclamation continues a Carnival tradition more than a century old," said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company. “We join Rex in inviting visitors to come enjoy New Orleans - safely within the guidelines - and learn about the majesty of our Carnival traditions."
The Rex Organization began creating its Royal Invitation in 1872 when a group of young New Orleans leaders decided to issue invitations and a proclamation, inviting all to come to the Crescent City to join in its unique Mardi Gras celebration. In the days before mass media, broadcast, and tourism industries, the beautiful art posters and brochures were distributed in railroad stations, plastered on train cars, posted in centers of commerce, and placed in public buildings around the nation in major U.S. cities.
The 2022 Royal Invitation proclaims, "That the Festivities and Pageants arranged for this Celebration will surpass in joyousness and exceed in beauty the most brilliant attainments of the glorious past.”
To see the invitation, please click here.
Each year, New Orleans & Company issues an electronic version of the Invitation to the nation and to international destinations, as well as over 60,000 travel trade professionals and tour operators.
For more, please visit www.neworleans.com.