After spending a couple of Mardi Gras seasons on the Gulf Coast, we decided to do something different last year. We traveled to Liberal, Kansas, for the 75th annual International Pancake Day, always held on Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday as we also know it. What fun!
Pancakes are a big deal in Liberal. There is a Pancake Hall of Fame… and the town’s main street is named Pancake Boulevard.
The biggest time for celebrating pancakes in Liberal, though, is the four days before Ash Wednesday. We’re talking pancake flipping and eating contests; a 5K “Pancake Chase”; an afternoon tea, and the Grand Marshall’s Reception. All of those events lead up to the big day of races on Shrove Tuesday.
Our International Pancake Day Experience
Our day began with the annual pancake breakfast, held in the Seward County Activity Center. It seems the entire town turns out for the breakfast, which begins at 6 a.m. and includes a ceremony with color guard, the National Anthem, and speakers.
Then it’s off to the races, the highlight of the day and the competition with the town of Olney, England. Why does Liberal compete with a town across the “big pond”? Here is how the competition began.
International Pancake Day History
In the year 1445, the day before Lent began, a woman was busy making pancakes to use up the rest of her cooking fat, since cooking fat was forbidden during Lent. When she heard the church bells ring prior to the shriving service, she realized she was late. Still wearing her apron, she quickly grabbed her head scarf (which was required in church) and ran 415 yards to church. She carried her skillet—with the last pancake still cooking.
The other church goers must have thought that was a hoot, because in years after, more women did the same, and it became an annual race.
Fast forward to 1950 and the town of Liberal, Kansas. The local Jaycee president noticed a magazine picture of the Olney women running the race. He contacted the vicar of St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Olney and challenged Olney women to a race against the women of Liberal. The competition between the two towns has been going on ever since then…except during Covid.
I Ran in a Race — or Tried To
Before the big race—the one against Olney, England—there are several other races. No matter the age, racers are required to wear a head scarf, apron, and skirt (skirt for women only) and carry a frying pan, mimicking that first woman in Olney to run the distance.
Youth races are divided by age group. Toddlers run a short distance. The distance increases with older age groups.
Then came the race I signed up for, the Last Chance race, for women over 50. I had heard that most of those women just walk rather than run. Oh, was that ever wrong! Every one of my “competitors” said they planned to run.
Well, my knees aren’t in good shape—in fact, my doctor recently told me they’re “end of life.” Plus I had been standing all morning, holding a heavy camera. That sounds like an excuse, and it is… because I came in dead last! It was kind of like that dream where you try to run, but you don’t move out of place. I did move…but a whole lot slower than anyone else. Thank goodness the distance for our group was similar to that of the toddlers.
The Last Chance race doesn’t take place every year. I noticed on this year’s schedule, instead of the Last Chance race, it’s a Mother/Daughter race. I’m not sure how exactly that works, but it should be interesting.
The Big Competition: Liberal vs. Olney
The final race of the day is the big one—the race that competes with Olney. Only women are allowed in the official, 415 yard, race . (A men’s race precedes it.) The time of the Liberal winner is compared with the time of the Olney winner. In 2024, the Liberal winner, Pamela Bolivar, beat the Olney winner, Kaisa Larkas, by a fraction of a second!
Here is a video of the 2024 International Pancake Race in Liberal, Kansas.
Shriving Service
Following the races, everyone gathers in the church for the Shriving Service. Afterwards, Liberal and Olney connect via a live video call to share race times, declare a winner, and engage in some friendly banter.
But Wait, There’s More!
The festivities go on through the rest of the day, with an afternoon parade and ending with an evening trivia event.
If You Go to Liberal for International Pancake Day
The 2025 dates for International Pancake Day are March 1-4. For more information, visit the organization’s website. Note that some of the activities, including the races, require advance registration.