Pancake Day
visit
their offical web site
Newcomers
to Liberal might be amazed to see people dashing down Kansas Avenue
on a chilly winter morning, pancake skillets clutched tightly
to their apron-covered chests as they race. But that just means
it's Pancake Day, a holiday all of Liberal celebrates.
Pancake Day
dates back to 1445. It all started in Olney, England, when one
woman was busy preparing her pancakes and the bell rang to go
to church to be "shriven" of her sins. She grabbed up
her griddle and pancakes and ran in her apron to the church, becoming
the first pancake racer.
Since then
, Olney has declared Shrove Tuesday the official Pancake Day in
England. Every year on this day, women from Olney race with skillets
and pancakes to the church, just as it was done in 1445.
In 1950,
the Liberal Jaycees contacted the Rev. R.W. Collins, Vicar in
Olney, to propose an international competition. Since then, Olney
and Liberal have raced against each other, keeping a running score
of race winners.
Over the
years a three day celebration has grown up around the event in
Liberal. The festivities include a pancake feed, eating and flipping
contests, musical programs and a talent show. Other activities,
including old-time artisans displaying their crafts and the Miss
Liberal pageant are included in the weekend's events as well.
visit
their offical web site
