Watch: Celebrating Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day with Rudy’s in Parma

Celeste Houmard
·2 min read

PARMA, Ohio (WJW) – Paczki Day is the perfect time to celebrate the Polish culture and snack on a sweet treat!

Today is Fat Tuesday, also known as Paczki Day, but in other countries today is Pancake Day.

IHOP is giving away free pancakes on National Pancake Day: How it works

Fat Tuesday is the last day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. That’s why it is often associated with indulging in food and drink to celebrate.

Whether it’s paczkis or pancakes, the concept is to use up the rich ingredients like butter, eggs and fat as a treat before going without those luxuries during the season of Lent which begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday.

Local bakeries across Northeast Ohio, Rudy’s Strudel and Bakery in Parma, are making Paczkis to celebrate the big day!

“I am living the dream! I get to share our ethnic pride, our heritage, (I am) the luckiest girl alive,” Rudy’s Owner Lidia Trempe told FOX 8’s Kenny Crumpton on Tuesday.

Rudy’s prepared for this year’s Paczki Day by making 83,000 Paczkis. The bakery has 31 flavors, from sweet to savory.

“I start planning Paczki Day about three days after the last Paczki Day. I’m already thinking about 2025!” Trempe said.

To celebrate on Tuesday, Rudy’s had a DJ, four Miss Dynguses. and even a live band. The store opened at 5 a.m., with people lining up beginning at 2:30 a.m., according to Trempe.

“The best part about Paczki Day is the community and the delicious food. Nothing is better than coming out to a local bakery, right here in Northeast Ohio and joining in on the fun, listening to some Polka and (having) good times all around,” A Miss Dyngus said about Paczki Day.

Where to find 2024 fish fries in Northeast Ohio

After Paczki Day comes to an end, the celebration isn’t over for Rudy’s! The bakery will have a special flavor for Valentine’s Day: Chocolate-covered strawberry.

If you haven’t had your Paczki yet this Fat Tuesday, go get one!

“It’s about Cleveland, Everybody being part of it, together,” Trempe said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.