Got Beads?

Time to howl! It's Mardi Growl! French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after King's Day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday reflects the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.

The Mardi Growl Court

While in New Orleans the day symbolizes Mardi Gras, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, it's Fastnacht Day. The word Fasnacht is synonymous with the day to eat fatty, deep-fried donuts for good luck. Traditionally, fastnachts were made by Pennsylvania Dutch housewives to use up the remaining supplies of lard, sugar, fat and butter in the house before Lent during which time they were not to be eaten. 

With eating being one of Thelma Lou's all time favorite sports, Fat Tuesday rates high on her scale of holidays to celebrate. Let the calorie consumption begin.

Did someone say Fastnacht?