Fat Tuesday Pancake Day is now a Gulf Shores tradition

Fat Tuesday Pancake Day is now a Gulf Shores tradition

By Steve Means
Mardi Gras is a special day in our community. Schools are closed, there’s a Mardi Gras Parade sponsored by the city, the town covered in Mardi Gras decorations and streets filled with happy people shouting, “Hey Mister, throw me something!” And of course….our annual Gulf Shores PANCAKE DAY tradition! Pancake Day began in Europe as “Shrove Tuesday”, a time to eat, drink and be merry preparing for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season. Lent is a time of self repentance, self examination and a long period of fasting, so why not “eat your fill” before the fast begins? Rich people had no problem coming up with a delicious meal to feast on before beginning their long fast. Not so for those with little or no money….but they found a way to have a feast without having much money. Pancakes!! There was an abundance of milk, eggs, butter and flour. Pancake mix! At some point the French decided to name the festival Mardi Gras, which means Fat Tuesday. The first Mardi Gras celebration in America was in Mobile in 1703. Bring your appetite and let’s celebrate Fat Tuesday Gulf Shores style! The GS United Methodist Men will have our annual Fat Tuesday Pancake Day from 7-10 a.m. on March 1 at our auditorium (behind Zaxby’s near the intercostal bridge.)
Hot pancakes, sausage, coffee, etc. will be served. Tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Music, plenty of food, parking and fun! Tickets can be purchased at the church office or from any of the GS Methodist Men. A Gulf Shores Tradition. Join Us! Laissez le bon temps rouler! Pictured: Jimmy Warren, Pat McCormick, David McLean, Bob Burton.