Lundi Gras

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[edit] Lundi Gras-Precursor to Mardi Gras

The tradition of Rex, king of the New Orleans carnival, arriving by boat began in 1874, but the term "Lundi Gras" was NOT applied intil 1987 when the arrival was brought back as part of a series of river related events under the name of "Lundi Gras." Lundi Gras was the creation of journalist Errol Laborde. The event was staged with the cooperation of Riverwalk Marketplace and its then marketing director Carol Thistle Lentz. The events are detailed in Laborde's book, "Krewe: The Early New Orleans carnival from Comus to Zulu."

In 1874, 18 years after the beginning of modern Carnival celebrations in North America, Rex chose to have a grand arrival in New Orleans from the Mississippi River. Once on dry land, Rex and his royal court were placed in carriages and driven through the streets to City Hall. Therein, the mayor and various city officials would present King with the keys to the city and proclaim the rule of Rex in this mystical and temporary realm of Carnival. Typically, the proclamation decreed the beginning of Mardi Gras and Rex's reign at sunrise the following morning.

The Rex landing was a success, and quickly became a treasured part of the Carnival celebrations which was unique to New Orleans; no other country or parishes observed the Monday before Shrovetide. The landing continued until World War I stopped Carnival in New Orleans. When the parades again returned to the streets some two years later, the laanding had fallen by the wayside, a seeming casualty of 'the war to end all wars.' In 1971 the landing was recreated for one time only to celebrate Rex's centennial. The Rex landing was a success, and quickly became a treasured part of the Carnival celebrations which was unique to New Orleans; no other country or parishes observed the Monday before Shrovetide. The landing continued until World War I stopped Carnival in New Orleans. When the parades again returned to the streets some two years later, the laanding had fallen by the wayside, a seeming casualty of 'the war to end all wars.' In 1987, Rex once again made a grand arrival on the Riverfront at the foot of Canal Street but now with the phrase Lundi Gras attached to the events which would include concertts and fireworks. Lundi Gras has continued since, although the chronologgy of the term's usage in the common language of the New Orleans carnival is generally misunderstood. Lundi Gras (which refers to a grouip of New Orleans riverfront activities) is a relativley new rather than an old carnival custom.

Sources:

Errol Laborde, "Krewe: The Early New Orleans Carnival From Comust to Zulu" 2007, Carnival Press.

Robert Tallant, "Mardi Gras" (Louisiana Edition) 1947, Doubleday & Co.

Perry Young, "The Mystick Krewe: Chronicles of Comus and his Kin" (1969 re-issue) Louisiana Heritage Press (#376 of 1,000)

Henri Schindler, "Mardi Gras: New Orleans" 1997, Flammarion

The Compleat Carnival Compendium & Mardi Gras Manual, online at carlnivale.theatricana.com .