I have a cake due this Friday, but the party is on Saturday. Because she is picking it up the day BEFORE the party, I am missing a day on my usual baking schedule. My question is, if I bake the cake on wed., crumb coat and partially decorate, then finish decorating on Thurs. for a Fri morning pickup, will my cake still be nice and fresh by Saturday afternoon for the party? That makes the cake 3 days old (decorated and uncut). Any insights?

Depends on the type of filling and if it is going to be a buttercream or fondant cake.

Thanks CRW41!
@FrostThis: BC filling w/ BC frosting, on basic yellow cake

I bake on a two day schedule. But i also do a lot of fondant cakes, which the fondant covers the icing therefore holding in the moisture so it is hard for it to be stale. I do not see a problem with your time frame.