Also known as Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and the fasting Lenten season leading up to Easter. This religious holiday is observed in many Christian countries by participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year's Holy Week palms, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets. In Ashbourne its the first day of the Shrovetide Football game. Please, if you are not local, don't come, as the town gets very crowded. Shops and car parks will be closed.