Pancakes fire up record crowds

Published 8:00 pm Wednesday, October 12, 2005

They were selling like hotcakes — pun intended — last Saturday at the Bainbridge Island Fire Department’s annual pancake breakfast.

Before 9 a.m., lines of cars snaked into the near-capacity parking area — the grounds of the First Baptist Church — which was full by 8:30. A wailing fire engine carrying merry riders mixed with the traffic. Inside the Madison Avenue station, the warm smell of pancakes and the chatter of kids filled the air.

Firefighter David Coatsworth said folks were at the door by 7:45 a.m. for the 8 a.m. start. Fire truck rides started early at 8:20 a.m. because of the crowds.

“In the past you got ‘soccer lulls’ but this year it’s just been a steady stream of folks,” Coatsworth said.

This year’s annual fund-raiser for the island’s volunteer firefighter association was visited by 1,763 people, nearly double the usual crowd, and brought in more than $10,000, well more than double what most years net. Funds go toward training and special equipment like defibrillators.

The event caught the public eye this year when the department’s plywood cutouts of “Firefighter No. 22,” which usually stand on the roadsides publicizing the event, were ordered taken down by the city after a citizen complained that they violated the city’s sign ordinance.

Fire Department Captain Dave Hannon says they received at least 40 calls from residents offering up their front lawn to Firefighter No. 22, but they decided to hold off as it seems the city may change the sign ordinance.

“The mood was very upbeat,” Coatsworth said. “We were a little overwhelmed by the support we got.”

“That was really good feedback and with the (supportive) letters to the editor, we anticipated a few more, but maybe not double,” Hannon said.

Two water tenders and a fire engine took 1,500 people on rides, that’s 63 trips. A runner had to go back to the store four or five times for supplies. The crowds devoured 185 pounds of ham, 50 gallons of orange juice and 274½ pounds of pancake mix.

“It was a great turn-out. It was nice to see people support the fire department,” Coatsworth said. “I appreciate people’s support…I’ve always maintained this is less a fund-raiser. It’s more a community event, and I think people look forward to the breakfast and truck rides.”