Paczki and gumbo make for a successful Fat Tuesday

The annual paczki-eating contest at Plumb's grocery store in Alpine Township forced them to shove in five paczik in five minutes -- or at least try to. "I just ate the outside because I didn't like the cream, then watered it down," said Rene' Salazar

It's Fat Tuesday! And at Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe the paczki and king cakes will be flying off the shelves. Mike and Mary Vande Walle stop by the studio with the popular treats.

Enlarge Mark Bugnaski | MLive.com Richard Niesen, of Kalamazoo, hauls three dozen Paczek from Sweetwater. Niesen waited an hour and a half for the Polish pastry so he could bring them to Hacket Catholic High School for Fat Tuesday. Sweetwater's

Many people wait in line during cold, nasty weather, but this year, they're doing it with an added benefit of a good cause - Easter Seals.

Paczki Day keeps local store busy: Its Paczki Day and area stores, like this Quality Dairy in Eaton Rapids, are kept busy by a stream of customers looking for the sugary treats. Dave Wasinger | LSJ.com