Rex's Royal Invitation

Rex, King of Carnival has issued his proclamation to citizens of the world via the New Orleans tourism industry.

Carnival, or the Mardi Gras season, begins each year on "Twelfth Night," so the city of New Orleans is delivering the proclamation, created by the Rex organization's School of Design, to all, beckoning them to attend Mardi Gras 2015 in New Orleans.

"The Rex 2015 Royal proclamation continues a carnival tradition more than a century old," said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. "A proclamation from Rex, King of Carnival signals that it is time to make plans to travel to New Orleans most famous celebration."

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.

"Carnival season is one of the most exciting times of the year with celebrations leading up to Mardi Gras, which is Tuesday, February 17th this year. It's just another Tuesday everywhere else in the world, but in New Orleans it is a day that we celebrate our distinct history and culture," said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Mardi Gras embodies why people travel to New Orleans year round - great food, lively music and always a reason to celebrate."

The 2015 Royal Invitation incorporates artwork from 1886, inviting visitors to "gather, from far and near, to join in the many celebrations and processions which will shortly unfold under the joyful Carnival banner."

Each year, both the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOCVB) issue 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. Both tourism corporations will feature the Royal Invitation on their websites.