77th Annual
Pancake Day

Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Pancakes | September 25th & 26th 2026

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Schedule Overview

Check back for the full 77th Annual Pancake Day schedule!

In the meantime, follow Pancake Day on Facebook & Instagram to stay up-to-date on all upcoming activities and recaps!

Lunch on the Courtyard

Celebrate Pancake Day one day early at Lunch on the Courtyard! Friday 11am-2pm come up to the square to grab a delicious lunch with meat prepared by Double D BBQ & sides generously provided by Fareway Centerville. The meal is served by our 2026 Miss Pancake Day contestants & 100% of the proceeds go to the Silver Cord Scholarship Fund!

Friday Night Live

The party kicks off the night before Pancake Day at Friday Night Live! FREE live music by XOLEX on the Amcor Main Stage beginning at 6pm. Stop by the beverage garden to grab a cold beverage, get a bite to eat from your favorite downtown restaurant or food truck and check out the Big Reds on the live stream! Motorcycles welcome & can park on the SW portion of the square!

Fun Run & Walk

Start Pancake Day morning off on the right foot with the Pancake Day Fun Run & Walk, where the finish line is mere feet away from free freshly made Pancakes! Race options include a 5k run, 10k run or 1.3 mile walk and the start/finish line is located on the North side of the Square. Pre-registration is available online and is $20/person. Day-of registration will be available for $30/person until 7:45am.

The Pancake Tent

Did you know Pancake Day holds the Guinness World Record for the most pancakes served at a public event? Our volunteers flips thousands of free pancakes for our guests beginning at 9am on Pancake Day! If you’d like extra toppings or some protein on the side, head to the gourmet line for $5/person. For the 77th Annual Pancake Day, gourmet pancakes will be offered for FREE for active-duty military personnel and veterans. This is made possible by Centerville HyVee who generously donates 100% of the pancake tent supplies for each Pancake Day celebration!

Kiddie Parade & Big Parade

Whether you’re decorating a bicycle, building a float, representing your business, or simply joining the fun, there’s a place for everyone in the 77th Annual Pancake Day Parades! The Kiddie Parade begins at 10am, with day-of registration starting at 8:30am in front of First United Methodist Church and judging at 9:20am. Then, the Big Parade steps off at 1pm, featuring marching bands, floats, classic vehicles, special guests, businesses, organizations, and more. Big Parade participants may check in at the registration table at Franklin & North Main anytime after 8:30 a.m., but must arrive by 12:00 p.m. to participate. Pre-registration links and more information can be found below.

Miss Pancake Day Pageant

The Miss Pancake Day Pageant begins at 6pm and is one of Pancake Day’s longest-standing traditions. Each year, contestants compete for the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the Pancake Day and the Appanoose County community throughout the coming year. Contestants are evaluated on their poise, communication skills, personality, community involvement, and stage presence before one is crowned Miss Pancake Day 2026. Learn more about our 11 contestants, plus our escorts and pages below!

Kiddie Parade Information

Pre-register for the Kiddie Parade using the form linked here or register day-of!

The Kiddie Parade is one of Pancake Day’s favorite traditions, giving kids a chance to show off their creativity and join in the celebration. In-person registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of First United Methodist Church (410 N. Main Street). Judges will begin viewing entries at 9:20 a.m., and all participants should be lined up by 9:40 a.m. to prepare for the parade. Children can participate in one of four categories: bicycles, costumes, pets, or floats/small vehicles.

Big Parade Information

We recommend checking out the Pancake Day Parade Guidelines prior to registering for the Big Parade. Pre-register for the Big Parade using the form linked here or register day-of!

The Big Parade is the signature event of Pancake Day, bringing together marching bands, colorful floats, community organizations, businesses, elected officials, and more for an afternoon celebration through downtown Centerville. The parade steps off promptly at 1:00 p.m., with line up beginning on the north of the city square. 1st Place in each of our three categories receives $350 and 2nd Place receives $150. The “Best of Parade” overall winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize!