Organizers of the 53rd annual Fargo Kiwanis Pancake Karnival aren't expecting to set any records this year, but don't think that means they don't still have a lot on their plate.
This year's event, scheduled for Feb. 12 at the Fargodome, aims to draw around 14,000 people and produce around 30,000 pancakes.
The 12-hour event, which goes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., once made the Guinness Book of World Records and has been featured in the book "1,000 Places to See Before You Die."
"World records are great. We did it once, and someday, maybe we can go back to taking a look at that," said Craig Tait, chairman of the Kiwanis Club Pancake Committee. "Our main focus is really just having a really good-quality pancake feed for everybody in Fargo-Moorhead."
To do that, Jean Weismann, member of the volunteer committee is still looking for more people to help out. Weismann said they need about 600 volunteers. She said about 200 have signed up so far.
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"It takes a lot of people to have a successful Pancake Karnival," Weismann said.
Volunteers are needed for three shifts: from 6:30 to 11:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and 3:15 to 7:30 p.m., Weismann said.
She said volunteers are needed for everything from ticket-taking to pancake-making and serving.
Weismann added that there will be plenty of jobs for volunteers who can not necessarily stand for the full shift.
Along with games and children's carnival rides, which are included in the ticket price, new this year is a plethora of raffle prizes.
"We thought we might try something else just as an added feature to the Pancake Karnival, and hopefully generate some interest," Tait said.
Prizes include a 42-inch plasma TV, an Xbox, a Wimmer's Diamond gift certificate and a one-year family YMCA membership.
Tait said 10,000 raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day.
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The annual event has generated more than $750,000, which the Kiwanis Club donates to local youth groups and organizations such as the Salvation Army, Sanford Children's Hospital and Special Olympics among many other groups.
Tait said he hasn't made a monetary goal for this year's Karnival, but he is hopeful it will rival years past.
"All the money goes directly into an account for children/young adults," Tait said.
If you go
- What: Kiwanis Pancake Karnival
- When: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 12
- Where: Fargodome
- Info: Tickets are available at Fargo Glass and Paint, Straus Clothing, Wimmer's Diamonds (West Acres location), IHOP, Fargodome or from any Kiwanis member. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children 10 and under.
- How to help: Volunteers are still needed. To sign up, contact Jean Weismann at (701) 232-2964 or jeanweismann@msn.com .
Readers can reach Forum reporter Wendy Reuer at (701) 241-5530
