While some parts of the country enjoyed Mardi Gras festivities and parades, others in communities such as Bradford toned it down more by hosting pancake suppers and potluck dinners in honor of Shrove Tuesday.

At the Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Chautauqua Place, visitors enjoyed pancakes served up with sausage, eggs and beverages as part of a tradition observed at the parish the past decade. Church officials have stated that Shrove Tuesday is the designation given to the day before the season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday. Dining on pancakes is observed in a number of countries prior to Lent, a season of liturgical fasting.

Shrove Tuesday is also referred to as Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday,” a term referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.

At Ascension, longtime congregation member Gene Carll said the the parish hosted the dinner not only as community outreach, but also to raise funds through donations for the church’s youth camp scholarship fund.

At St. Francis Church on St. Francis Drive, church and community members observed the holiday with their annual Mardi Gras dinner hosted by the Rosary Altar group at the church. A meat was provided for the meal while attendees brought in some of their favorite dishes.

Rev. Raymond Gramata, pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bradford, said the season of Lent is preceded by Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras to provide rich foods and delicacies for those who abstain afterward during Lent.

“That was how that tradition got started,” Gramata said.

He said many people who adhere to the tradition of Lent do give up some types of foods and other items, “for the most part.”

“They’ll pick things they want to give up” for Lent, he explained. In turn, the abstinence makes it more conducive for individuals to become spiritual, he added.

On a related note, Gramata said the ashes that will be used today for Ash Wednesday are from the burned palms of the previous Palm Sunday.

“When I place (ashes) on their forehead, I say, ‘Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return,” Gramata said. “The ashes remind us of our mortality and the cross reminds us we have been saved by Jesus — and are still being saved.”