PHOTOS: Happy Fastnacht Day from Schubert’s Bakery

Last week we ran an article that explored the history and reasoning behind Fasnacht Day, also known as Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday and the official start of Lent.

Today I ventured down to in downtown Nazareth to scope out the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. The bakery was hopping with activity from the unofficial holiday.

“We’ve sold close to 500 dozen,” said owner Steve Riccelli. “We’ll probably reach 600 dozen before it’s over.”

Schubert’s has been vending the donuts every Fasnacht Day since the business opened in 1973.

“Every year business is a little better,” said Riccelli.

No small wonder; just in my brief visit, dozens of customers came and went for their orders, even more being turned down for not planning ahead. Such was the demand for fasnachts that the bakery was working overtime just to keep the orders filled. Evidence of just how busy Fasnacht Day keeps them was present in their empty pastry-case.

Schubert’s plans to stay open until they run out of fasnachts, which they expect will happen before their normal closing time of 1pm. In case you don't get there in time, the local grocery stores ( and ) are also carrying fasnachts today.