ALLENTOWN, Pa. – All eyes are on the deep fryers Tuesday, as many people are looking for something extra sweet this Fat Tuesday.
It’s one last chance to indulge before the Lenten season begins. 69 News Reporter Sydney Kay has the story from a bakery preparing for crowds of people, all looking for fasnachts.
Mary Ann Donut Kitchen has had a line of people waiting for the delicious treat since 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. Doors opened at 5:30 a.m.
Co-owner Alex Fortna said fasnachts will be available for purchase until 6 p.m.
Fasnacht Day is “our Super Bowl,” he said.
Fortna said the bakery starts gathering materials about a week before the big day and makes sure it has proper staffing.
“It’s all hands on deck,” he said.
He said the bakery has made about 30,000 fasnachts. The shop saw about 800 dozen preorders, plus all the walk ins.
The bakery has seen a lot of continuity. Some customers have been coming to the shop for decades.
Manager Karen Merrill has been working at the bakery for about 47 years. Merrill said fasnachts are a big draw and a big part of the business.
Michael O’ Boyle, co-owner of Mary Ann Donut Kitchen, who’s also known as the “Fasnacht King,” said eight out of ten customers recognize and greet Merrill when they come in.
“They all know her,” he said. “She’s incredible.”