International Pancake Day Race

By: © Nelson Taylor 2008

Festival Location: Liberal, KS, USA

Festival State: Kansas Festivals

Festival Type(s): Bizarre Festivals , Food Festivals

This is a 50-year old competition between the women of Liberal, KS and Olney, UK, where the competition is a 500-year old tradition. Every March, in each town, all those interested in entering compete to uphold the integrity of pancake racing. At the sound of the starting gun, the women, holding a skillet, must first flip their pancake. Then they sprint through the 415-yard course and then flip their pancake again after crossing the finish line.

Once the winners are declared, the two towns call each other on the telephone to determine which country gets the syrup-sticky trophy. The reigning champion is Liberal's Sheila Turner. Her run of 58.5 seconds, which dates back to 1975, has helped Liberal earn its nickname: The Pancake Hub of the Universe.