Many people are familiar with Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday celebrations on the day before Lent begins. But in Liberal, Kansas, the day before Lent means just one thing — it's Pancake Day!
We were proud to sponsor the 2022 International Pancake Day, a time-honored tradition that has spanned the Atlantic Ocean to the town of Olney, England. Since 1950, residents of Liberal and Olney gather in a friendly race, as they carry a frying pan 415 yards down the streets of town flipping pancakes. It is still the only race of its kind on the planet.
In Olney, England, the Pancake Race tradition dates back nearly 600 years to 1445. A woman was engrossed in making pancakes to use up her cooking fats before Lent. When she heard the church bells ring, she grabbed her head scarf and ran 415 yards to the church, frying pan and pancake in hand. In later years, neighbors joined the tradition, and it became a race to see who could reach the church first. Today, the race has expanded into an all-day festival to celebrate pancakes.
Support Specialist Elyse posed for a picture with Festival Chairman Gary Classen before helping make the international phone call to compare race times with Olney, England. Liberal’s Whitney Hay won the Pancake Rase with a time of 1:07.54 and Onleny came in close behind at 1:10.83.
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