After being cancelled last year by COVID-19, the Kalona Fire Department’s annual “Pancake Day” returns tomorrow ready to serve up to 3,000 people.

Fire Chief Jerry Zahradnek says their best turnout has been just over 2,800 people and their goal is always to reach 3,000, but doesn’t know what to expect for this year’s carryout only event serving from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fire station.  A standard breakfast will include three pancakes, three sausages and two eggs hot off the grills and put in to-go containers. He says you’re welcome to ask for extras and a free will donation is accepted with proceeds going towards the purchase of new turnout gear, “Some of our turnout gear is starting to push eight years old, it’s starting to show its wear. Turnout gear is going to run you $2,500-$2,600 a set, that life-expectancy is in that seven to 10 year range and the other thing we’ve got to look at right now is that turnout gear, if we order it today, we’re looking at six months before we get it. Stuff is just that far behind.”

Zahradnek says they’re looking to purchase 15 sets of turnout gear over the next two years. He says for pancake days in the past, they’ve raised $15,000-$20,000.