Flippin’ good fun: Pancake Day returns

BY KADIE TAYLOR

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

VALLEY — The Valley Local is hosting its 2026 Pancake Day on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Valley Community Center from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. The Pancake Plates are $10, Kids Tickets are $5 and there is also an option for delivery for 10 plates or more. To purchase tickets visit www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-pancake-day. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event.

“Pancake Day is something that the Valley Kiwanis Club started many years ago, I believe the 1960s, and it was an annual tradition, up until about 2017,” said Director of the Valley Local Sara Crutchfield. “They just had a lot of members pass away and [did not have] the helping hands needed to continue that tradition. So last year, we actually brought this back with the help of them; many of their members still help us cook, prepare the pancakes and sausage and serve as people came through to get their plate.”

Crutchfield said the money raised from this event will go to continue to foster fun events and memories for the community, and there are still opportunities for sponsors.

“This is a fundraising event for Valley Fest, but we also make a donation to the Valley Kiwanis Club,” she said. “We're still taking sponsors for Pancake Day. The sponsors help to cover the cost of pancakes, sausage and all the things needed to make the event possible. But also with their sponsorship, they get advertising on every table. So we are still accepting sponsors for that, and we're also accepting sponsors for Valley Fest right now.”

As The Valley Local continues to prepare for Pancake Day, Crutchfield said many community members are already sharing their excitement for the event.

“I've actually seen some posts where people are stating that they need to let their employees know they're going to be late that day,” she said. “Of course, we want to start early at 6 a.m. in hopes that no one is late to work, but I do think it's exciting just to see people plan for that and to be excited about it. It's just fun having a conversation over pancakes and just walking out into the gym and seeing everyone together.”

Through bringing Pancake Day back for Chambers County locals, Crutchfield said she gets to continue one of her favorite traditions with her community and ensure the younger generations can make the same memories she did as a child.

“It is one of my favorite traditions from our community, [I remember] growing up here and seeing everyone come together for breakfast — seeing neighbors and everyone talking and using that time to be together as a community,” she said. “It's just something everyone always looked forward to. You knew that morning everyone was going to plan to go, get pancakes and be greeted by people who love the community, all the Kiwanis Club members.”

For more information, visit www.thevalleylocal.org.