Baked goods mean big business for Batesville, Ind. community

BATESVILLE, Ind. - Many local businesses in Batesville, Ind. that are normally closed on the weekend will be open Saturday and Sunday. Why? It’s all because of a doughnut.

For the past 40 years, the people at Schmidt Bakery have been making their one-of-a-kind glazed treat: the “thing-a-ling.” For 37 of those years, they’ve been making the cherry and sugar-infused snacks were created to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Presidents’ Day weekend is the only time of year the bakery sells the cherry fritters.

The first year the bakery sold the treats they were only open on Sunday. The event has exploded since then.

"Then it became a three-day weekend, a Saturday, Sunday, Monday,” said Clem Schmidt, owner of the bakery. "The first time we made them we probably made 60 to 80 dozen, then it was 140 then it was 600."

An estimated 35,000 fritters will be sold during the event this weekend.

Information related to the weekend event is listed below

Schmidt Bakery Inc. - www.schmidtbakery.com

Hours of operation:
Saturday from 4 a.m. to 5pm
Sunday 6 a.m. to  4 p.m.
Monday 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.