BURAS – At Fort Jackson in Buras, Louisiana, across the Mississippi River from Pointe du Mardi Gras, where Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville and his crew of fellow explorers on Shrove Tuesday, March 3, 1699 held the first celebration of Mardi Gras in what would become the United States of America, the Rex Organization commemorated the 325th anniversary of this historic occasion with a ceremony and expressed a wish that we all never cease to love celebrating Mardi Gras.
Twenty-five years ago, on March 3, 1999, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first celebration of Mardi Gras in what would become the United States of America, the Rex Organization dedicated a historic marker at Fort Jackson.
Yesterday, on March 3, 2024, to commemorate the 325th anniversary, Rex officials met at that historic marker and were joined by Monsignor Christopher Nalty and France’s Consul General in New Orleans Rodolphe Sambou to commemorate this important milestone anniversary.
The Rex Organization’s Executive Vice President James J. Reiss III said, “We stand here today on the shoulders of those French explorers who, across the river from here 325 years ago, first celebrated Mardi Gras in what would become the United States. Today, the cultural and economic impacts of Mardi Gras are enormous. For the next 325 years and beyond, we hope Mardi Gras is still being celebrated in New Orleans, throughout Louisiana, in Mobile, in Memphis, and by all who love celebrating it wherever they are on this planet and beyond. May we all never cease to love celebrating Mardi Gras.”
“Never cease to love” is a reference to the anthem of New Orleans’ Carnival “If Ever I Cease to Love,” which was played during the inaugural Rex Parade in 1872.
Monsignor Christopher Nalty said, “Iberville found the Mississippi, and when he arrived on March 2, Father Anastase Douay said, ‘This is the spot. This is the main pass of the Mississippi.’ The next day, they came up the river to Pointe du Mardi Gras, which they named the first non-Indian name of anywhere in the Louisiana Territory.”
France’s Consul General in New Orleans Rodolphe Sambou said, “I am very grateful for your organizing this event and celebrating what is a very strong symbol of the friendship between Frace and the United States.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry provided an official proclamation that concluded, “Now, therefore, I, Jeff Landry, Governor of the State of Louisiana, do herby proclaim March 3, 2024 to be the 325th anniversary of the first celebration of Mardi Gras in what would become the United States of America.”
Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser provided an official proclamation that concluded, “Now therefore, The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Louisiana applauds The Rex Organization for leading the effort to commemorate the historic occasion of the first celebration of Mardi Gras on territory that would become the State of Louisiana and Plaquemines Parish.”
Plaquemines Parish President Keith Hinkley, joined by Parish Councilman Mark “Hobbo” Cognevich and several Plaquemines Parish festival queens, provided an official proclamation commemorating the 325th anniversary of Mardi Gras in the Parish of Plaquemines and stating, “Therefore, Tuesday, March 3, 1699 was the first celebration of Mardi Gras in what would eventually become the United States of America.”
