Even if you don't enter the eating contest, you can still enjoy flapjacks on your own, hop on some rides and see the best legs in Land O'Lakes.
By EBONY WINDOM
Published November 7, 2003
LAND O'LAKES - Folks had better come hungry. They'll be serving up hot pancakes and syrup at the 26th annual Flapjack Festival. Volunteers will be busy flipping and serving thousands of free hotcakes from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday.
The event, organized by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times, draws thousands every year. While some folks come for the sweet, buttery taste of flapjacks, others look forward to the midway rides, games and wacky contests at the Land O'Lakes Community Center on U.S. 41. This year's theme is "Rockin' in the '50s." There will be plenty of old favorites plus a few new features.
"It's grown," event chairman Terry Moses said. "We've got more rides, more people, more entertainment. It's good, wholesome, family entertainment and free flapjacks, too."
The three-day event kicks off at 5 p.m. today with opening ceremonies. The midway runs throughout the weekend. Participants can buy armband bracelets in advance for $10 each and take advantage of unlimited rides for a day. The bands cost $16 at the door.
Organizers say this event is like no other.
"Everybody has a fall festival," event coordinator Doug Hutchinson said. "Not everyone has a Flapjack Fest."
The Perkins Flapjack Eating Contest at 2:30 p.m. Saturday attracts quite a crowd. Participants compete in two categories: one for kids ages 12 and younger and the other for 12 and older.
Hutchinson says, the crowd goes wild.
"They cheer them on and jeer at them at the same time," he said. The person who wins will take home a restaurant gift certificate and get another chance to chow down.
Another favorite is the Mr. Legs contest. Barelegged men strut their stuff for the audience.
"It's a hoot," Hutchinson said. "Whoever (wins) the trophy gets to brag that they got the best legs in Land O'Lakes."
This year, country crooner James Taylor Curtis returns with the Silver Eagle Band at 8 p.m. Saturday. Other entertainment includes the Caribbean sounds of Tropic Heat at 7:30 tonight and 1:15 p.m. Saturday, and Christian rockers Trio-Positive Rock at 9:30 tonight.
The motorcycle rally is a new feature. At 9 a.m. Sunday the public can join in a 15-mile ride from Wesley Chapel to Land O'Lakes. Registration is $5. Organizers plan to collect canned goods at the rally for donation.
"Anybody on a motorcycle is welcome to come ride," Hutchinson said. "It's a fun event that would also do some good."
In addition to flapjacks, eventgoers can snack on burgers, hot dogs, gyros and funnel cakes.
Hundreds of volunteers make the event possible. The fest is the chamber's biggest fundraiser. Proceeds benefit the chamber and other local groups and organizations.
