Pony rides, face painting and live bluegrass music by the Torrey Pines Ramblers are some of the festivities kicking off the 44th annual La Jolla Pancake Breakfast this Saturday, July 28.
If endless plates of pancakes and sausage aren’t enough to get people out of bed early, the beach-themed event, which is hosted by the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla, also boasts a chance to win surfboards, boogie boards and beach towels, according to Trenton Bonner, Kiwanis member and event chair.
“I think this is a community event in which we really give something back to the community of La Jolla,” Bonner said. “We don’t raise a lot of money with it ” it’s really just about sharing with the community.”
Over the past 44 years, the club has held the event to generate financial support for local charities and through its multiple fund-raisers ” such as the La Jolla Half Marathon and the La Jolla Rough Water Swim ” has been able to contribute between $85,000 and $100,000 per year to such organizations, according to Bonner.
Last year about 350 people turned up at the La Jolla Recreation Center to take part in the breakfast, which has been a tradition for many residents and community members for years, Bonner said. This year, the Kiwanis Club expects between 600 and 800 people to participate, he said.
Merchants from La Jolla village and shores, as well as Bird Rock, have continued to contribute to the event each year, providing the Kiwanis Club with raffle prizes and other funding, according to Bonner, who added that the event was open to the public.
The menu will include blueberry pancakes, juice, coffee and a few healthy offerings.
For more information about the event, which runs from 8 a.m. to noon, or to purchase tickets, contact Bonner, (858) 546-5434. Tickets are $8 for adults, free for children age 10 and under, and can also be purchased at the door the day of the event.
The La Jolla Recreation Center is located at 615 Prospect St.
For more information about the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla, visit www.ljkiwanis.org.