A lot of syrup has been squirted on piles of pancakes over the years at Westerner Days’ kickoff breakfast in the Bower Place parking lot.
Another 15,000 pancakes and sausages are expected to be consumed by an anticipated 5,000 guests on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m., when the Flipping Amazing Pancake Breakfast returns for its 38th year.
“We’re here super early Saturday morning and we get our griddles fired up at 7 a.m. All of our guests start arriving, and then at 8 o’clock, we officially open the line to the buffet and get the pancakes rolling,” said Carlene McDonald, Bower Place marketing director.
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“It used to be the unofficial kickoff to Westerner Days. This year, it will be the official kickoff. Dress in your western best, if you like.”
Bower Place is presenting the event, and Westerner Park is sponsoring the breakfast for the first time.
Rain or shine, the breakfast will be held near Hudson’s Bay, along Gaetz Avenue where 17 griddles and more than 40 volunteers will be needed to serve up the meal.
About 100 tables with chairs will be set up for people to relax and enjoy their food.
“You can’t miss it,” McDonald said.
The event is free, but donations are strongly encouraged. This year, the goal is to raise $10,000 for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre that helps children who have been abused and their families.
McDonald said the deputy mayor will compete in pancake stacking, and city councillors will be serving guests.
“It’s a fun way for our community to get together and start celebrating our Westerner Days. We hope they come and enjoy themselves,” McDonald said.
Ashley Nelson, marketing and communications assistant manager for Westerner Park, said plenty of information will be available at the breakfast for people to plan their Westerner Days’ adventure.
“We will have a Westerner Days booth. There are a ton of Westerner Park staff who will be there,” Nelson said.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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