Bakeries are preparing ahead of Fat Tuesday

MISHAWAKA, Ind. --Fat Tuesday is happening in a few days, and some bakeries in Michiana are already getting the early preparations going.

Fat Tuesday originated in the early 1700s and represents the practicing of Catholics eating rich, fatty foods before the start of Lent.

Many people celebrate the holiday by eating on paczkis, the Polish donut, made from deep fried dough and sweet filling, with many flavors to choose from.

And West End Bakery in Mishawaka is starting to get the early preparation ahead of the big day. Front end manager Kathy Leuthold says customers are already putting their orders three weeks in advance.

“Last year we sold out pretty quickly. We sold out by 11 o’clock. This year we’re planning for more. We should have plenty of paczkis,” Leuthold said.

She says the bakery will spend part of Sunday and the whole day Monday making paczkis.

The bakery plans to be open the full day on Tuesday. They will stay open until the last paczki sells out.

“There’s quite a few that working until the night. There's probably going to be six of us starting early, putting things together. It's going to be a long day,” Leuthold said.