ZULU, The year 1915 heralded the first use of floats, constructed on a spring wagon, using dry good boxes. The float was decorated with palmetto leaves and moss and carried four Dukes along with the King. That humble beginning gave rise to the lavish floats we see in the Zulu parade today. Today Zulu is famous for their coconut throw – quite possibly the most coveted throw in all of Mardi Gras. Zulu’s honor guard is called the Soulful Warriors; and they have characters including Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Ambassador, Mayor, Province Prince, Governor and Mr. Big Stuff. The most famous Krewe of Zulu king was Louis Armstrong who reigned in 1949.  Rex, officially the School of Design, has held more parades than any other organization. They are the origin of many Mardi Gras traditions, including the official Carnival colors of purple, green and gold, as well as the collectible doubloon coins (introduced by Rex in 1960). The Krewe consists of 600 male riders and parades on the New Orleans Uptown route on Mardi Gras day The Krewe of Elks Orleans follows Rex down St. Charles Ave with 50 individually designed truck floats carrying 4,500 male and female riders (families).  Founded in 1935, the Krewe of Elks Orleans is the oldest and largest of all the truck float krewes. The Krewe of Crescent City follows Elks. Founded in 1947, the city’s second-oldest truck parade has over 2,500 male and female riders. While the krewe sets no overall theme, each truck represents a different Carnival organization with its own title and theme. The Krewe of Crescent City follows the Krewe of Elks-Orleans and is the last truck parade in the Orleans Parish. The krewe signals the official "beginning of the end" of Carnival