News / Press Releases

                                     [posted 2-1-2010]

Kids, Youth Pancake Race sign-ups continue through Feb. 6, 2010
All children, teens ages 3-18 must sign up to race; no prelims this year
Pancake Day always brings out plenty of racers, especially the kids.
Children ages 3-13 who would like to race on Pancake Day, Feb. 16, 2010 must sign up between now and Feb. 6 at the Tourist Information Center. Each age year and gender will compete in a separate race, offering plenty of spots for the kids. For instance, eight-year-old girls will race only against other eight-year-old girls. Each race will be limited to 15 contestants.
This year’s Pancake Day races will also feature a new age category: all youths ages 14-18 are invited to enter the youth division, with sign-ups going on from now through Feb. 6 at the Tourist Information Center.
The new youth division will feature at least two races, one for men and one for women.  The number of racers who sign up will determine how many age categories the racers will be grouped into. The youth division race will be a 75-yard dash and will be held immediately after the children’s races conclude.
Sign-up times are as follows: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 1-5; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Feb. 6.  No late sign-ups will be accepted.
Sign-ups will take place at the Tourist Information Center, 1 Yellow Brick Road, across the street from the Coronado Museum. The child’s parent or guardian must be present to sign the entry form for all entrants except those who are 18 years old.
For more information, call 624-6423.                            

New Pancake Races for 14-18 year olds [ posted 1-18-10 ]
Sign-ups start Jan. 30

This year’s Pancake Day races on Feb. 16 will feature a new age category: all youths ages 14-18 are invited to enter the new youth division, with sign-ups set for Jan. 30-Feb. 6 at the Tourist Information Center.
Pancake Day is all about community participation, and since last year’s addition of more races for the younger kids was a huge success, organizers have decided to offer a chance for older teenagers to participate as well.
“We got nothing but positive feedback on the addition of more kids’ categories last year, and everything went really smoothly,” said Ray Petty, Pancake Day Race Co-chairman.
The new youth division will feature at least two races, one for men and one for women.  The number of racers who sign up will determine how many age categories the racers will be grouped into.
The youth division race will be a 75-yard dash and will be held immediately after the children’s races conclude. 
“Pancake Day is a school holiday, and we have had increasing interest by high school students who want to race, so we are hoping for great participation,” said Jan Nondorf, Pancake Day Race Co-chairman.
Winners will receive medals only and no monetary prizes, so high school athletes can enter without losing eligibility.
Sign-up times are as follows: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Jan. 30; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 1-5; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Feb. 6.  No early or late sign-ups will be accepted.
Sign-ups will take place at the Tourist Information Center, 1 Yellow Brick Road, across the street from the Coronado Museum. Any entrant under 18 must have a parent or guardian present to sign the entry form.
For more information, call 624-6423.    


Local women invited to race in 61st Pancake Day contest [posted 1-18-10 ]

The Pancake Day Board will begin accepting applications Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, for contestants in the 61st International Pancake Day Race, slated for Feb. 16. It’s a chance to take part in a unique event, make a bit of history and have a great time. This year the women of Liberal will once again don headscarves and aprons, grab skillets and pancakes and compete against the women of Olney, England.
All women who are ages 18 or over, have domestic duties, and are residents of Liberal are eligible to enter the International Pancake Day Race.  Women who are 18 but still enrolled in high school should enter the new youth division.
The Seward County Community College Wellness Center is again offering international race contestants the chance to work out for free at the Wellness Center.
Qualified racers may train at the Wellness Center any time the center is open and may attend as many times as they wish until Pancake Day, according to Kelly Cook, Director of Wellness and Aquatics at SCCC.
In addition, a Men’s Pacer Race is open to all men ages 18 and older (except those still enrolled in high school, who should enter the new youth division). A women’s Last Chance race is open to women ages 50 and older. Men’s Pacer contestants and women’s Last Chance contestants are not required to be Liberal residents.
The number of spaces available in each race is limited, so those interested are encouraged to sign up soon. 
Race applications may be picked up at the Liberal Tourist Information Center, 1 Yellow Brick Road, across the street from the Coronado Museum. International racers will be given information about attending the Wellness Center at the time they return completed race applications to Pancake Day Executive Secretary Jo Ann Combs.
For more information on any Pancake Day event, call Combs at 624-6423.

Kids’ Pancake Race sign-ups set for Jan. 30-Feb. 6 [ posted 1-18-10 ]
All children ages 3-13 must sign up to race; no prelims this year

Pancake Day always brings out plenty of racers, especially the kids. 
Children ages 3-13 who would like to race on Pancake Day, Feb. 16, must sign up between Jan. 30-Feb. 6 at the Tourist Information Center. Each age year and gender will compete in a separate race, offering plenty of spots for the kids. For instance, eight-year-old girls will race only against other eight-year-old girls. Each race will be limited to 15 contestants.
Sign-up times are as follows: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Jan. 30; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 1-5; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Feb. 6.  No early or late sign-ups will be accepted.
Sign-ups will take place at the Tourist Information Center, 1 Yellow Brick Road, across the street from the Coronado Museum. The child’s parent or guardian must be present to sign the entry form.
For more information, call 624-6423. 

Area talent invited to enter 2010 Pancake Day talent contest  
Prelim entry postmark deadline Jan. 6  (posted 12-19-09)

Liberal, Kansas -Talented individuals or groups are invited to participate in the 2010 Pancake Day Talent Show, sponsored by the Liberal Lions Club, in Liberal on Feb. 15 at Liberal High School.  Twenty-five acts will compete for trophies and prize money in five categories: Tiny Tot (4-8), Intermediate (9-12), Junior (13-16, Senior (17-20) and Pro-Am (open to all professional and amateur entertainers, regardless of age). An average of $2,700 in prize money has been awarded each of the last three years.

Preliminaries are scheduled for Sat., Jan. 16, 2010, at Liberal High School. Judges will score all entries and choose five acts in each category to move on to the finals. The contest is open to all non-professional entertainers with the exception of the Pro-Am division. A professional entertainer is defined as anyone who has received $2,000 or more from entertaining.

Entry forms and officials rules can be obtained by calling 620-626-0170 Monday through Friday, emailing tourism@cityofliberal.com or picking up at the Liberal Tourist Information Center.

Entries forms should be returned to Sally Fuller, 1 Yellow Brick Road, Liberal, KS, 67901.  They must be postmarked by Wed., Jan. 6, 2010 or taken to the Tourist Information Center, 1 Yellow Brick Road, Liberal, by 2 p.m. Sat., Jan. 9, 2010.  No entries will be accepted after this time.  All entry fees of $40 per act must accompany the entry forms.  Contestants who want verification that an entry form was received should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or send by registered mail.

For more information, call 620-626-0170.