Photo Courtesy of Kalona Volunteer Fire Department Social Media

Breakfast was served Saturday in Kalona at the annual Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Day. The Kalona brigade of current, former, and honorary firefighters and their families served 3,181 patrons from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., breaking the previous record of 2,800. They prepared more than 12,960 pancakes, 8,000 eggs and 1,500 lbs of sausage. Fire Chief Jerry Zahradnek spoke recently with KCII news about how the proceeds will be used. “We’ll purchase a new pumper/tanker. It’s a Class A engine with 2,000 gallons of water. Total cost is between $400,000 and $450,000. We’re going to be replacing a 1988, 1,500 gallon tanker. We’re starting to push that 35 years, so it’s time to replace it. We’re probably looking at about a 16-month build.”

In total, this year’s event raised $50,896.