Polish
Float riders toss trinkets at the Krewe of Cleopatra Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Mardi Gras season is kicking into high gear with a slew of major parades throughout New Orleans. Although Carnival season officially began Jan. 6, the festivities really kick into high gear the two weekends ahead of Fat Tuesday.
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Fat Tuesday traditions in Illinois

Every Fat Tuesday, thousands of people across Illinois line up at bakeries and grocery stores for the famous Polish pastries known as “paczki." In Illinois, the fourth most Polish state in the U.S. and Chicago, with the highest percentage of its population being Polish, the fluffy-cloud like pastries sometimes make a reappearance for Casimir Pulaski Day on the first Monday in March. We talked about the pastries and the traditions that come with them with two Central Illinois bakers. 

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