The 2025 King of Carnival is Edward Howell Crosby, affectionately known to friends as “Howell.”As a leader in the New Orleans community, the Rex Organization and the legal profession, Crosby has lived Rex’s motto, Pro Bono Publico, for the public good. In addition to his love for his city and his family, Crosby has a deep affinity for music. “The blues, bluegrass, Scruggs-style, I started that when I was a youngster, probably 14 or 15, taking lessons, and I loved it,” said Crosby. This banjo-strumming member of Rex was also tapped to bring in bands for the Fat Tuesday parade, a position he treasured for years.”I decided who and what, and I loved it because I was one of the few riders in Rex who got to actually see the entire parade start to finish,” said Crosby. But what was truly music to his ears was learning he would be leading the organization as the 2025 King of Carnival.”It was an unexpected honor, but one that, it’s very emotional when they ask you and you think about everybody else in the organization, you’re like, ‘Why me?’ Because there’s so many people out there and that organization for Rex that are out there trying to make a difference in the community,” said Crosby. Crosby also shares Rex’s mission of giving back, drawing on his family’s roots of farming. “Some of the things I really enjoyed was the market umbrella and all the green markets that we set up,” said Crosby. He also worked to generate more money for Louisiana schools with the Pro Bono Publico Foundation. Crosby was even the man responsible for connecting Sandra Bullock with Warren Easton after Hurricane Katrina, who would go on to donate millions to help students.”She’s been a wonderful asset to the city, and she loves the city very much. She really does,” said Crosby.New Orleans also holds a special place in Crosby’s heart, along with his wife, children and grandchildren. “For people around the world and the country to see our celebration and to know that New Orleans celebrates life to its fullest is important and a great message,” said Crosby.He’s also excited to share his own long song for the city come Mardi Gras. “Have fun, be safe, be kind, and never, ever cease to love,” said Crosby. Originally from Picayune, MS, Crosby moved to New Orleans in 1970 and attended Metairie Park Country Day School, from which he graduated in 1977. He then attended Tulane University, where he majored in finance. Following graduation, Crosby attended Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business and Tulane School of Law. Crosby became a member of the Rex Organization in 1994 and was named a Lieutenant in 2000. As the Rex Legal Counsel, he assisted in the founding of the Pro Bono Publico Foundation.
The 2025 King of Carnival is Edward Howell Crosby, affectionately known to friends as “Howell.”
As a leader in the New Orleans community, the Rex Organization and the legal profession, Crosby has lived Rex’s motto, Pro Bono Publico, for the public good.
In addition to his love for his city and his family, Crosby has a deep affinity for music.
“The blues, bluegrass, Scruggs-style, I started that when I was a youngster, probably 14 or 15, taking lessons, and I loved it,” said Crosby.
This banjo-strumming member of Rex was also tapped to bring in bands for the Fat Tuesday parade, a position he treasured for years.
“I decided who and what, and I loved it because I was one of the few riders in Rex who got to actually see the entire parade start to finish,” said Crosby.
But what was truly music to his ears was learning he would be leading the organization as the 2025 King of Carnival.
“It was an unexpected honor, but one that, it’s very emotional when they ask you and you think about everybody else in the organization, you’re like, ‘Why me?’ Because there’s so many people out there and that organization for Rex that are out there trying to make a difference in the community,” said Crosby.
Crosby also shares Rex’s mission of giving back, drawing on his family’s roots of farming.
“Some of the things I really enjoyed was the market umbrella and all the green markets that we set up,” said Crosby.
He also worked to generate more money for Louisiana schools with the Pro Bono Publico Foundation. Crosby was even the man responsible for connecting Sandra Bullock with Warren Easton after Hurricane Katrina, who would go on to donate millions to help students.
“She’s been a wonderful asset to the city, and she loves the city very much. She really does,” said Crosby.
New Orleans also holds a special place in Crosby’s heart, along with his wife, children and grandchildren.
“For people around the world and the country to see our celebration and to know that New Orleans celebrates life to its fullest is important and a great message,” said Crosby.
He’s also excited to share his own long song for the city come Mardi Gras.
“Have fun, be safe, be kind, and never, ever cease to love,” said Crosby.
Originally from Picayune, MS, Crosby moved to New Orleans in 1970 and attended Metairie Park Country Day School, from which he graduated in 1977. He then attended Tulane University, where he majored in finance. Following graduation, Crosby attended Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business and Tulane School of Law.
Crosby became a member of the Rex Organization in 1994 and was named a Lieutenant in 2000. As the Rex Legal Counsel, he assisted in the founding of the Pro Bono Publico Foundation.
