For many, Fat Tuesday involves indulging on that Pennsylvania staple, the fastnacht.

Bakers at Hershey Harvest in Laureldale, Berks Co., worked around the clock and placed the balls of dough into hot oil, then flipped them over to make sure each side was golden brown.

It's Fat Tuesday, or better known in our region as Fastnacht day.

"We've been here since midnight [Monday], and so it's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun," said Bob Hershey, owner of Hershey Harvest.

It's a tradition Hershey Harvest has been a part of for 26 years. On the day before the start of Lent, workers pumped out nearly 600 dozen of the Pennsylvania Dutch doughnuts.

"People like to come out for that one last non-guilt free treat. They can eat whatever they want and feel good about it one more time," said Hershey.

Across town, the Heidelberg Heritage Society in Wernersville helped everyone get their fastnacht fix, selling bags full of the doughnuts, along with soup and sandwiches.

"We ordered 100 dozen fastnachts, which gave us 200 half dozen and that's the way we were selling them," said Charlotte Moyer, the museum chair person for the Heidelberg Heritage Society.

The German custom started with Pennsylvania Dutch housewives cleaning out all the fat in the house before Lent. It's a tradition that stuck. Now, fastnacht-lovers can use the day to indulge without shame.

"They're not very kind to my waist, but I can't help it," said Charlie Wenrich, who bought 18 fastnachts to share with his family.