Many people are familiar with the Mardi Gras Celebration on the day before Lent. In Liberal Kansas the day before Lent means just one thing- International Pancake Day! The friendly competition between Liberal, Kansas and Olney, England. Women race down the streets, promptly at 11:55 a.m. in both communities with a pancake in a pan. This competition has been going on over 70 years now and is the only race of its kind on this planet!

Always on Shrove or Fat Tuesday, International Pancake Day is Liberal’s first big celebration of the year.  International Pancake Day itself starts with, of course, a pancake breakfast followed by races, a Shriving Service, live web chat with the folks from Olney, England and a parade.