Today is the official start to King Cake season and every bakery in Louisiana is prepared to sell a ton of the festive cakes.

Meche’s Donut King in Lafayette says they have about 18 to 20 thousand King Cakes go out each year, according to KATC.

Mardi Gras season officially starts today, January 6th and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. The King Cake is one of the biggest Mardi Gras traditions and one of the most delicious. Each cake is decorated with the three Mardi Gras colors. Purple represents justice, green is representing faith, and gold represents power. They come in various sizes and flavors.King cake is eaten on January 6th in honor of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, which historically marks the arrival of the three wise men/kings in Bethlehem who delivered gifts to the baby Jesus. (The plastic baby hidden inside king cakes today is a symbol of baby Jesus.)

Happy Mardi Gras! Go get you a King Cake today to kick off the season.

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