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Rex offers tricentennial history lesson in 2018 parade

A preview of the tricentennial theme of this year's Rex parade.
Jean Lafitte was a pirate and smuggler who maintained a base in Barataria Bay and warehouse in New Orleans. In return for a promise of a full pardon, Lafitte and his men helped Andrew Jackson defend New Orleans from the British.

The Rex parade, with its roots in the 19th century, often presents a history lesson on the streets as it parades on Mardi Gras. This year, to celebrate the city's 300th anniversary, the theme "L’Ancienne Nouvelle-Orléans” honors figures and events from the first of the city's three centuries.

"This is a celebration of the tricentennial of the founding of New Orleans and it has everything from geography to founders, historic figures and events," said Henri Schindler, Rex's artistic director. "It's a real mix of things that made New Orleans New Orleans in the first 100 years."

Click the slide show for a preview.

Floats depict figures such as Bienville and Iberville, Andrew Jackson, Marie Laveau, John James Audubon, Adrien de Pauger, the Ursuline nuns and even Mother Henriette DeLille.

"This is one of the few Rex parades that actually runs sequentially," said Dr. Stephen Hales, Rex 2017 and a Rex Organization official. "The first float you'll see that is a theme float, 'Father Mississippi,' is the very beginning of the city's story and the very last float is 'Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans.' In between are 18 beautiful floats that illustrate the history, the events and the people of that time."

In addition to the theme floats, Rex's signature floats, including the Boeuf Gras, Butterfly King, Jesters and of course King's Float will be part of the parade on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 13.

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