172 MARDI GRAS GUIDE 2020

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Named after the fi ercest of African Tribes, Zulu presents one of the season’s most an-ticipated and spectacular parades. Six years before the black krewe’s 1916 incorporation, the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club’s fi rst King, William Story, wore a lard can crown and ruled with a banana stalk scepter. Louis Armstrong, who ruled in 1949, remains the most famous Zulu king. Zulu’s honor guard is called the Soulful Warriors. Along with Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Ambassador, Mayor, Province Prince, Governor, and Mr. Big Stuff, they’re known for livening up the Fat Tues-day crowd. www.kreweofzulu.com

ZULUKing Brian M. Sims and Queen Dr. Chanda Macias lead this year’s Zulu parade.

More than 125 units traditionally appear in the procession with the theme ZULU’S BOOK OF LOVE AND CINEMA. Look for signature fl oats that bear the club’s legendary characters—Big Shot (Christopher Wyre), Witch Doctor (Special Kirk), Ambassador (Richard J. Wilson), Mayor (Lawrence Lee) Province Prince (Sean M. Bruno), Governor (Jerome T. Temple), and Mr. Big Stuff (Tannard Darensburg). Zulu’s 31 maids are also presented in the parade. The U.S. Marine Corp Band and the Talladega College Marching Band will march in the parade. The club’s 1,500 members and their riding guests throw a wide assortment of Zulu-signature throws, but the most anticipated catch of the season is the treasured Zulu coconuts, 60,000 of which are handed to parade watchers. The Zulu ball is always held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on the Friday night before Fat Tuesday.

©2020 Arthur Hardy Enterprises, Inc.

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Since his fi rst appearance in 1872, Rex has been the global symbol of New Orleans’s most famous holiday. Sponsored by the School of Design, the all-male krewe is responsible for the concept of day parades, for the offi cial Mardi Gras fl ag and colors—green for faith, gold for power, purple for justice—and for the anthem of Carnival, “If Ever I Cease to Love,” as well as for one of the most popular throws, the doubloon. The men of Rex operate Pro Bono Pu-blico—For The Public Good. Rex selects an outstanding civic leader to reign over Mardi Gras, and his queen is always a debutante. www.rexorganization.com

Rex, the oldest parading Carnival organization, presents its 139th parade, led by the Captain on his white horse. Thirty-three lieutenants on horseback appear

in the 26-fl oat procession, which brings history and beauty to the streets of New Orleans. Using traditional materials, Rex fl oats are rebuilt each year, most on old wagon chassis with wooden-spoke wheels. Throughout the ages, mankind has sought to divine the future, searching for portents of what is to come. The theme of the 2020 Rex parade, OMENS AND AUGURIES, beautifully portrays the world of proph-ets and oracles. Twenty themed fl oats will be joined by six iconic permanent fl oats, including the animated Butterfl y King fl oat and the traditional Boeuf Gras. Watch for bands—Rex’s band contest attracts the best. 440 riding members will throw Rex gold doubloons—introduced 60 years ago—and classic glass beads, but many parade-goers will be trying to collect a full set of fl oat-specifi c beads and other signature throws.

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©2020 Arthur Hardy Enterprises, Inc.

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(Demolition of the Hard Rock Hotel on Canal and Rampart Streets may alter this route)