Tuesday February, 12 2013

Nature: Pancake Supper

Indian River Hosts Pancake Supper to celebrate National Pancake Week

On Tuesday, February 12, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company hosted its Annual Pancake Supper to participate in the Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Tuesday and/or Pancake Day.

The National Pancake Week activities are grounded in ancient tradition whereas, during the Middle Ages, it was common practice to prepare for Lent by purging the pantry of luxurious foods such as eggs, butter, and milk. These ingredients often became big batches of pancakes.

To this day, many communities around the world feast on pancakes all the way through Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday for Mardi Gras, before the religious season of moderation begins on Ash Wednesday. In fact, another name for Fat Tuesday is Pancake Day.

Shrove Tuesday is the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is determined by Easter; its date changes annually.

The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive, meaning "confess." Related popular practices are associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent.

The term Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday.

The Ladies Auxiliary would like to acknowledge all of those that patronized this event.