One of the perks of having an NBA team in a city like New Orleans is witnessing how important local culture is weaved into the franchise’s aesthetic. One of the perks of Mardi Gras is King Cake. One of the “downsides” of King Cake is getting the piece with the “baby” inside of it (for the uninitiated, this means you have to purchase the next one). One of the perks of NBA games being played in New Orleans during Mardi Gras is the giant-sized King Cake Baby that shows up around the Arena. If you call it a downside then we wouldn’t get along in real life. I love the King Cake Baby.

I am not alone in this love and the Pelicans know it. This year the King Cake Baby is making several appearances around the city. The rundown:

The first King Cake Pop-Up Party is this Friday at the Rouses Market (701 Baronne Street) near the Smoothie King Center. King Cake Baby will be giving out king cake and visiting with fans from noon to 1:00 p.m. On Wednesday, Jan. 27, the second King Cake Pop-Up Party will be held at the Rouses Market at 2900 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. This one is also from noon to 1:00 p.m.

My only issue with this plan is that there’s no way that one hour is enough for the hordes of fans that should (and I believe will) show up to get to know the best seasonal mascot in all of professional sports. Sure, King Cake Baby probably has a lot of napping to do and cartoons to watch, I get it. But this kid only comes out once a year and hasn’t really aged at all – this deserves more than 60 minutes of accessibility.

King Cake Baby will host his final King Cake Pop-Up Party on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at the Pelicans Shop in the Smoothie King Center from noon to 1:00 p.m. I’ve circled my calendars for this one so hard that my house smells like permanent marker. 

Follow Chris Trew on Twitter at @Trew2theGame and watch his “Today in New Orleans Sports” history video series. 

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