On a cold, damp morning nothing else could start the day out better than a breakfast consisting of a mountain of pancakes dripping with melted butter and drowned in maple syrup.

That’ll stick to your ribs.

On Feb. 24 inside the ballroom of the Temple Theater in downtown Meridian, pancake lovers will be able to gorge themselves as the Downtown Optimist Club continues a tradition with the 62nd Annual Pancake Jubilee.

“If you leave hungry, that’s your own fault,” said Downtown Optimist Club President Colby Calcote. “We will have plenty of pancake mix, sausage, milk, water and cokes. Take all you want and eat all you take.”

Tickets are on sale right now for $5 per person.

For more than 60 years, the Downtown Optimist Club of Meridian has been flipping flapjacks to raise money to support Youth Activities such as Little League Baseball, Cheerleading Competitions, Boy Scouts, Meridian Community College Scholarships, and Meridian Junior Golf.

The Annual Pancake Jubilee has become one of the most anticipated events held each year. Children whose activities over the years have benefited from resources generated by this unique event are now adults who bring their children each year to enjoy a grand time of food and fellowship with their neighbors.

The fundraiser, the biggest for the club on an annual basis, will benefit Meridian Junior Golf and Youth Activities. The doors will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. During that time the club will flip approximately 7,500 pancakes and thousands of sausage patties.

“We mix our pancake mix in a 55-gallon drum,” Calcote said. “That way we can just dip the pitchers in there and pour out the pancakes on the grills. It’s been working that way for more than half a century.”

In addition to being a Meridian tradition, the pancake breakfast is an excellent time to visit with friends over a hot meal. Takeouts are also available.

If you have to wake up a little earlier than usual don’t worry. The members of the Downtown Optimist Club will certainly make the experience worth your time and effort.



PANCAKES



• What: Pancake Jubilee

• Sponsored by: The Downtown Optimist Club

• When: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

• Where: Temple Theater Ballroom

• Tickets: $5 per person. You can purchase tickets either from a Downtown Optimist Club member or at the Web site at www.dtoc.org.