The Rotary Club of Sarnia is 'flipping' excited for the return of its Annual Pancake Breakfast, alongside the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race.
The 40th annual event returns this Saturday under the Bluewater Bridge in Point Edward following a two-year hiatus.
Spokesperson Michael Kooy said the group serves up to 5,000 breakfasts featuring pancakes, sausages, coffee, tea and juice.
"It's been two years, we haven't done it, we haven't been able to gather as a community very often, this is the summer that we can start to do it again and we're just totally thrilled to do that."
Kooy estimates that they're approaching half-a-million-dollars raised over the years and that the group tends to raise between $5,000 to $15,000 each year. He said the initiative is a huge logistical effort.
"It's like putting up an army kitchen. You set it up, we're there from four, five o'clock in the morning we have volunteers showing up. We'll be serving breakfast from 7:30 a.m. until noon, so even if you're a late riser, don't think you'll miss out, you can still join in the fun," he said. "This is all hands on deck, everybody gets involved, we've been planning it for months."
Kooy said there's two things the club is trying to do, including raising money for good causes in Sarnia-Lambton.
"The other thing that we would emphasize is just this is a community event. It's fun, it's a Sarina tradition, we've been doing it for 40 years and it is just great to get out there. Typically it's great weather, there's stuff to do, there's stuff to see, there's people to see, there's friends to connect with, families come out, it's a real wonderful community event and we just want to have fun."
Kooy said the money is put right back into the community, supporting organizations like Pathways Health Centre, Bluewater Health, the YMCA and action grants for smaller efforts.
The event coincides with the start of the 98th Bayview Yacht Club Mackinac Race, allowing visitors the chance to watch yachts from across North America sail past on their way to the start.
The cost of the breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more information, click here.
