FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — Mardi Gras is celebrated the day before ash Wednesday, and with some traditions dating back hundreds of years, perhaps one of the most tasty is a king cake.
Rick's Bakery in Fayetteville makes king cakes year round, but it's their specialty during Mardi Gras. The cakes are offered in several flavors, and they’re often filled with cream cheese and cinnamon, and sometimes are filled with fruit.
The cake is shaped like a ring to symbolize unity, and it's decorated in purple, green and gold for a particular reason. The reason being is purple represents justice, green symbolizes faith and gold represents power. The colors were chosen to resemble jeweled crowns worn by wise men who visited Jesus Christ.
A tiny plastic baby is hidden inside the cake, which symbolizes baby Jesus. Mardi Gras officially began Jan. 6, and the day is known as Kings Day.
Whoever finds the plastic baby is named "King For A Day", but will be required to purchase a king cake the following year.