Rex parade ready to roll but route still undecided

Officials with the Rex organization said there will be few post- Katrina changes to this year's parade and expressed confidence in a successful Carnival season at a media luncheon today at Rex's float warehouse on South Claiborne Avenue.The biggest potential change could be the parade's starting

point, tentatively set for St. Charles and Napoleon avenues. Depending on orders from the New Orleans Police Department, Rex could still parade from its traditional starting point at Napoleon and Claiborne avenues, Logan said.We're hoping the police department will let us start from our usual location, said King Logan, Rex spokesman, adding that public safety is the most important issue for parades.Rex will have fewer marching bands this year since some schools have not reopened following Katrina, Logan said. The organization will have 27 floats, about average for Rex, he said.In response to Katrina, Rex is planning a post-Carnival cleanup, the sale of 50,000 fund-raising Rex wristbands and an effort to provide business assistance to New Orleans Public Schools.The 125th Rex parade, titled Beaux Arts and Letters, will roll at 10 a.m. Feb. 28.