of 2
2017 Rex Procession
“Carnival Fêtes and Feasts”
Carnival, celebrated in varied and colorful ways around the world, has deep roots. The Ancients celebrated the transition from Winter’s darkness to Spring’s light and promise with feasts and festivals. Early Christians incorporated many of these customs into their pre-Lenten revelry, and Shrove Tuesday marked the last exuberant celebration before Lent’s solemnity and fasting began on Ash Wednesday. The words “Carnival” (derived from the Latin words meaning “farewell to flesh”) and “Mardi Gras” (“Fat Tuesday”) now describe celebrations which have evolved over the ages in creative ways in many cultures. These diverse and colorful traditions inspire the theme and float designs of the 2017 Rex Procession.
