An annual tradition in the city of Washington continues next week, with some changes because of COVID-19.

The Washington Firefighter’s Pancake Day is taking place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13th, but this year the meal will be served exclusively through a drive up on East Jefferson Street. Fire Chief Brendan DeLong shares how the pandemic affected the planning of the department’s biggest annual fundraiser, “We really talked it over on our fire department whether we were going to have or whether we were not going to have it, and we kinda looked at what surrounding departments were doing for their fundraisers and thought that we could safely do a takeout only option or a drive through.”

Tickets are $7 and $5 in advance for adults and children, and $8 and $6 at the door, but DeLong highly encourages the public to purchase tickets in advance to help free up traffic congestion during the event and limit possible exposure of COVID-19. The firefighters will be serving to-go boxes of sausages, eggs, and pancakes, and children 5 and younger are free. You can purchase tickets at the fire hall, Washington State Bank, or from any department member.