Community Corner

Pancake Breakfast For 1,400? No Problem, Says Avon Lake Kiwanis Club

The Kiwanis "all-you-can-eat" Kiwanis breakfast has been one of the city's biggest draws for 60 years. Easter egg hunt and pictures with the bunny is after.

It’s the biannual event that regularly draws more than 1,400 hungry visitors to Avon Lake High School in search of the perfect all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.

And the Avon Lake Kiwanis Club is more than happy to deliver. Between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 17, an expected 1,400- 1,500 people will stop by the Commons and eat in excess of 6,000 pancakes covered. Gallons of syrup and pounds of butter will be consumed. Kiwanis members will cook and serve up about 4,500 sausages and more than 2,000 servings of milk and juice and coffee.

One of Avon Lake's longest-standing traditions, the pancake breakfast started in the 1950s and continues today as a means for the group to raise money for its scholarship fund and community projects. Community members know to expect the breakfast every Palm Sunday and the last day of the city’s fall Homecoming Festival.

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Don’t be surprised if you find yourself eating with a state representative or senator. You may find Lorain County Auditor Mark Stewart, a member of the Elyria Kiwanis Club, or Mayor K. C. Zuber, pouring you a cup of coffee, and yes, that's Municipal Court Judge Darrel Bilancini making pancakes in the back.

All those pancakes and sausages are helping local students and projects.

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“This long standing Avon Lake tradition continues to raise funds for Kiwanis projects,” Avon Lake Kiwanis President Zach Arnold said. “This year, the Kiwanis will hand out 15 scholarships totaling $15,900.”

The breakfast is an organization-wide effort.

“It's an all hands on deck situation for the Avon Lake Kiwanians as the breakfast will often serve over 1,500 hungry Avon Lakers,” former president Bob Brooks, who is overseeing this year’s efforts, said.

The clubs 60+ Kiwanis members, plus a team of , help set up the kitchen and Commons, cook the food, pour the drinks and walk around the breakfast with a plate of steaming, hot fresh-off-the-griddle pancakes for those needing a refill.

Brooks, as this year’s “pancake czar” is responsible for what is almost always a seamless production. Thousands of tickets are printed and supplies are ordered before members are assigned tasks to keep pancake lovers asking for more.

Afterwards, take a trip to the competition gym for the

Presale tickets are available from any Kiwanian (click here for members) or at the door. Adult tickets are $5 pre-sale and $6 at the door. Children 5-11 are $2 and children 4 and under eat for free. High school entrances are on Rte. 83 (near Electric Boulevard) or Electric Boulevard to the west of the library.

Editors note: Lori E. Switaj is the president-elect of the Avon Lake Kiwanis Club. She'll be there Sunday on the serving line.


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