SPRINGFIELD – The annual World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast will return to the city on Aug. 21 after missing a year.

Spirit of Springfield President Judith Matt made the announcement at a press conference on July 8.

“I think we will have the biggest crowd ever,” she predicted.

The event, which had been scheduled for May 15 was moved to Aug. 21. It will be conducted from 8 to 11 a.m. on Main Street from State to Bridge streets. Admission to event, beverages and activities are free. The breakfast of pancakes and bacon is $3 and is free for anyone 18 or younger.

Matt and others thanked the volunteers who have made the annual event possible. This year Peter Lappin, a long-time volunteer, was recognized for his contributions.

Lappin, in turn, thanked other volunteers for making the annual event happen.

“This is what Springfield is all about,” he said.

Mayor Domenic Sarno continued the appreciation of volunteers. Pointing to representatives of various supporting businesses and groups in the audience, Sarno said, “You can’t say ‘thank you’ enough.”

Beth Ward, the community outreach manager for MGM Springfield, said the casino is proud of being a major sponsor for the event. “We are incredibly excited to continue this wonderful tradition.”

Nathan Costa of the Springfield Thunderbirds, the honorary chair of the 2019 event, announced this year’s chair, District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. Costa offered Gulluni some advice: “Wear comfortable shoes, listen to Judy and you’re in charge of the weather.”

Gulluni said being named chair was a “great honor” and added that being named after the pandemic “is really extra special this year.”

The event was first started in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. As the official history of the event noted, “Ten years later, when the city was celebrating it’s 350th anniversary, another breakfast bash was thrown and there began the friendly competition with Battle Creek, Michigan, the self-proclaimed ‘Cereal Capital.’

“Each year, the two communities battled it out for the “World’s Largest Breakfast” title. First, the focus was on the length of the breakfast table. Springfield set-up a table stretching 2,500 feet on which they dished out 24,000 servings. A month later, the folks in Battle Creek out did the Springfield breakfast by 200 feet of table and 26,787 servings.

“In 1987, Springfield switched to cereal and out did Battle Creek with a 3,700- foot table and 27,067 servings of cereal. The table stretched 10 city blocks down Main Street, from Gridiron Street to Union Street. Before the ‘Breakfast Bowl’ trophy could be engraved, Battle Creek assembled their own 3,700-foot table and served 30,413 servings. Springfield claimed fowl for their competitor’s table was not in a straight line. From then on, the table got shorter and the focus was on servings until recent years, when Battle Creek decided not to release the number of bowls they dished out.

“The ‘World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast’ made the move from Main Street to the Eastfield Mall parking lot in 2005 and 2006. The cooking tents and two entertainment areas were strategically placed and then surrounded by volunteers serving coffee, milk and juice. After the hot and hearty breakfast, participants moved in doors for shopping, movies and more.”

It returned to downtown in 2007.