Continuing an annual tradition begun in 1872, Rex, the titular "King of The Carnival" here in New Orleans, issued a Royal Invitation on Tuesday inviting the world to come to the Crescent City and experience Mardi Gras.
The proclamation — issued by the School of Design, the Rex Organization's official name — was begun as a promotional tool in the era before instantaneous mass media and organized tourism campaigns. According to the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, the invitational posters (and similar brochures) were distributed and posted in railroad stations and public buildings throughout the United States.
"The Rex 2015 Royal proclamation continues a Carnival tradition more than a century old," says Mark Romig, President and CEO of the NOTMC. "A proclamation from Rex, King of Carnival signals that it is time to make plans to travel to New Orleans' most famous celebration."
Carnival, or Mardi Gras, season begins each year on Jan. 6. Mardi Gras Day 2015 is Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Electronic versions of the Invitation are distributed to over 60,000 travel professionals and tour operators each year, says the tourism group.