Sheraton New Orleans Rolls out Red Carpet for the King of Carnival
150th Anniversary of Mardi Gras in New Orleans Culminates on Canal Street
NEW ORLEANS, LA, March 3, 2006. The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel was a shining jewel in the crown of several carnival balls this carnival season, which marked the 150th anniversary of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. As an alternative to the Municipal Auditorium, which was severely damaged by hurricane Katrina and still remains without electricity, many prestigious organizations selected the Sheraton to stage their elegant balls this carnival. Among these are Janus, Endymion, the Knights of Babylon, the Elves of Oberon, Orpheus, Apollo which culminated with the Rex Ball on Mardi Gras night-- Tuesday, February 28, 2006.
In recent years, the Rex Ball has been held in New Orleans' Municipal Auditorium, as has the Comus Ball, and the meeting of the two courts is the highlight of the evening. On this historic night, the 150th anniversary and the first post-Katrina Mardi Gras, the Rex Ball was held at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel as Comus staged its bal masque across Canal Street from the Marriott. Upon invitation from Comus Royalty to Rex and his court, the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel rolled out a red carpet for Rex and his court to travel across Canal street for the traditional meeting of the Rex and Comus courts, which followed by the final curtain bringing Mardi Gras to a close.
Historically Rex, King of Carnival, has issued a proclamation declaring the date of the Carnival celebration and commanding his subjects to gather and join in the festivities. When Rex began his reign over Mardi Gras in 1872, New Orleans was struggling through the years of Reconstruction from the lingering effects of the Civil War, and civic leaders wanted to attract more visitors to the city.
Proclamations were posted in train depots around the country, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans became a major tourist destination. At the same time, many city leaders saw the need to bring some order to the chaotic street parades of Mardi Gras day. The Rex Parade has been the highlight of Mardi Gras Day since the Rex Organization was formed and first paraded. While there had been celebrations in many forms on Mardi Gras before that time, the Rex Parade gave a brilliant daytime focus to the festivities, and provided a perfect opportunity for Rex, King of Carnival, to greet his city and his subjects.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
