King Cakes in demand for Mardi Gras on Tuesday

Mardi Gras will be celebrated this coming Tuesday by many folks from the Louisiana area who partake in the traditions including a delicious one of eating a King Cake.

One local bakery, , began taking order last week for their colorful King Cakes. The cakes made with cinnamon roll type dough is covered with purple, green and gold crystallized sprinkle sugar come with beads and a baby - to hide yourself. The cake is $15 and they are taking orders now.

Mardi Gras season begins on January 6, of each year and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent.

On the Christian calendar, the 12th day after Christmas is celebrated as the date that the gift-bearing Magi visited the baby Jesus. This day, January 6, is known by several names, including "Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day". The celebration of this event has evolved over the centuries, with each culture adding its own unique rituals. The New Orleans tradition is believed to have begun in the 1870's. As part of this celebration, it is now traditional to bake a cake in honor of the three kings - the King Cake. King Cakes are oval-shaped to symbolize the unity of faiths. Each cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors - purple representing justice, green representing faith, and gold representing power. A small baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, is traditionally hidden inside each King Cake.

In New Orleans, King Cake parties are held throughout the Mardi Gras season. In offices, classrooms, and homes throughout the city, King Cakes are sliced and enjoyed by all. Whoever gets the baby in their slice of cake has to buy the cake next year.