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Kaley Willis / youthjournalism.org
A popular Mardi Gras tradition is eating King Cake
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By
Kaley Willis
Kaley Willis
Reporter
SULPHUR,
Louisiana, U.S.A. – It’s the beginning of a new year, and while that may mean
resolutions and new beginnings for most, it means a two-month long party for
those of us in Louisiana and other states along the Gulf Coast.
Louisiana, U.S.A. – It’s the beginning of a new year, and while that may mean
resolutions and new beginnings for most, it means a two-month long party for
those of us in Louisiana and other states along the Gulf Coast.
Mardi
Gras is a celebration leading up to Fat Tuesday, the day when Cajuns can
indulge in their favorite guilty pleasures one last time before the Christian
season of Lent – and its custom of abstaining from life’s riches – starts the
next day.
Gras is a celebration leading up to Fat Tuesday, the day when Cajuns can
indulge in their favorite guilty pleasures one last time before the Christian
season of Lent – and its custom of abstaining from life’s riches – starts the
next day.
The Easterholiday, which falls on a different Sunday each year depending on the spring
equinox, ends the season of Lent. So Easter determines when Lent begins, and also
dictates the timing of the Mardi Gras season. This year, Fat Tuesday falls on
March 4.
While
the party begins on January 6th, or Kings Day, the real festivities
do not fully transpire until the last two weeks before Fat Tuesday, when you’ll
find a different parade every day.
the party begins on January 6th, or Kings Day, the real festivities
do not fully transpire until the last two weeks before Fat Tuesday, when you’ll
find a different parade every day.
Elaborateand exciting, Mardi Gras parades are standard in the south, however it is not
as common to see them in the early weeks of Mardi Gras. In the beginning of the
Mardi Gras season, many changes take place to make way for Fat Tuesday, the
first being the widespread consumption of King Cake.
King
Cake is quite possibly one of the most popular traditions of Mardi Gras, given
how many people participate.
Cake is quite possibly one of the most popular traditions of Mardi Gras, given
how many people participate.
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Kaley Willis / youthjournalism.org
A King Cake with the baby
on top, complete with Mardi
Gras beads.
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Available
in many different flavors, King Cake is similar to a large cinnamon roll,
covered in green, purple, and gold icing and sprinkles, representing the
official colors of Mardi Gras. The unique thing about King Cake is that each one
contains a tiny plastic figurine of a baby, representative of the baby Jesus. The
catch is, the person who gets the baby in their piece of cake must buy the next
King Cake for everyone.
in many different flavors, King Cake is similar to a large cinnamon roll,
covered in green, purple, and gold icing and sprinkles, representing the
official colors of Mardi Gras. The unique thing about King Cake is that each one
contains a tiny plastic figurine of a baby, representative of the baby Jesus. The
catch is, the person who gets the baby in their piece of cake must buy the next
King Cake for everyone.
Although
getting the baby may seem unlucky, it is actually a sign of good luck for the
Mardi Gras season, and some people even believe that the person who bites into
the plastic baby will become pregnant.
getting the baby may seem unlucky, it is actually a sign of good luck for the
Mardi Gras season, and some people even believe that the person who bites into
the plastic baby will become pregnant.
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Kaley Willis / youthjournalism.org
A table covered with Mardi Gras decor includes a tree topped with a Mardi Gras mask. Many families leave their Christmas tree up during Mardi Gras and decorate it with purple, green and gold beads.
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Another
holiday tradition is participating in a Krewe. A Krewe is an organization that
hosts Mardi Gras balls, parades, and many community service projects throughout
the year.
holiday tradition is participating in a Krewe. A Krewe is an organization that
hosts Mardi Gras balls, parades, and many community service projects throughout
the year.
The
balls that Krewes host are another standard Mardi Gras festivity. Many balls
are invitation only and feature Mardi Gras royalty, a chosen panel of people
who represent the Krewe for that season.
balls that Krewes host are another standard Mardi Gras festivity. Many balls
are invitation only and feature Mardi Gras royalty, a chosen panel of people
who represent the Krewe for that season.
While
costumes are common for many people participating in events, Krewe royalty don
the most beautiful and elaborate costumes of anyone.
costumes are common for many people participating in events, Krewe royalty don
the most beautiful and elaborate costumes of anyone.
While
it is not common to see a Louisianan in a lavish, jeweled costume in a parade
eating a King Cake on many days of the year, it is an everyday occurrence
during Mardi Gras, the one last hurrah before Lent.
it is not common to see a Louisianan in a lavish, jeweled costume in a parade
eating a King Cake on many days of the year, it is an everyday occurrence
during Mardi Gras, the one last hurrah before Lent.
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Kaley Willis / youthjournalism.org
Mardi Gras King and Queen costumes from the Krewe de la Famille are on display at Louisiana’s Lake Charles Visitor’s Bureau.
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