Long Running Pancake Breakfast Returns as Lead-In for Apple Blossom Parade

A long running tradition during the Apple Blossom Festival is back after a two-year absence.

The Downtown Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast will take place in its usual time frame as a lead-in to the Apple Blossom Festival Parade.

Kiwanis member Tom Irvin says there was major frustration when pandemic complications forced the cancellation of last year's gathering.

"Yeah, it just put too much in flux,"' said Irvin. "We were basically ready to go, but as we got closer, you know, how the year went on, it just got how we couldn't put it on as much as we wanted to do it."

The Pancake Breakfast served over 2,000 families, bands, visitors and friends at its last gathering in 2019. It's the Kiwanis Club's biggest fundraiser for the kids’ programs in the area.

Irvin has been referred to as the "egg man" for his role on the cooking of the pancake meals.

He says the breakfast is important financially for the Kiwanis, but also has a special bond with festival-goers.

"When you miss two years, like we have, not only is it our major fundraiser, but secondly, it's a great community event, so we've just missed it," Irvin said.

The Downtown Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast starts at 6 am Saturday, and wraps up at 10:30, about a half hour before the Apple Blossom Parade starts a short distance away.

The breakfast features all you can eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, several toppings and coffee and juice.

Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door, and all ticket purchasers are entered into a drawing for $750 in gas, complements of Cascade Autocenter.

Food for the Pancake Breakfast is provided by Denny's. Cafe Mela provides the coffee.