HASTINGS, Neb. — The tradition of the Hastings Kiwanis Club Pancake Day lives on.

The event has happened every year since 1953, now serving around 2,500 people each year at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Pancake Day Co-Chair Kathy Schultz says it’s a challenge to organize.

“We go through 500 pounds of pancake flour, 360 pounds of sausage, 12 cases of regular syrup, six cases of sugar-free syrup," Schultz said. "Logistically, just getting that all ordered and here is one thing, and then just running the event during the day.”

Schultz says the community treats it like a big social event. The volunteers at the griddle, like Ryan Martin, treat as a chance to hone their flipping skills.

“It’s all in the wrist," Martin said. "No arm, more wrist.”

The event serves as a major fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club’s service projects.

“We really appreciate that. All the money that we raise at the pancake day goes back into the community to help youth organizations,” Schultz said.

The group supports a summer reading program, a Christmas shopping spree for needy children, college scholarships and more.