My daughter Jessica is managing
All Saints’ Palo Alto annual pancake races this year on Shrove Tuesday
(6:30 p.m., 28 February, 555 Waverley at Hamilton, Palo Alto).
Pancake racing has been a popular Anglican tradition since 1445.
Here is one version of how the famous tradition got started in
Olney, England:
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One story tells us of a harassed housewife, hearing the shriving bell, dashing off to the Church still clutching her frying pan containing a pancake. Another that the gift of pancakes may have been a form of bribe to the Ringer, or Sexton that he might ring the bell sooner; for the ringing of the Church bell was the signal for the beginning of the day’s holiday and enjoyment, no less than to summon the people to the shriving service at which they would be shriven of their sins before the long Lenten fast. Traditional declares that the race was first run in the year 1445, pancakes at that time being a popular dish and receiving the royal favour. It was run on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, and the whole day was given over to a festival of celebrations, pranks and pastimes, which formed a part of the last fling celebrations.
All Saints’ version of the Shrove Tuesday celebration starts with a pancake
dinner cooked and served by the parish youth and ends with the race itself.
The race is held in the parish hall with runners divided into categories
based on the age and number of the available contestants. Each runner gets a
frying pan with one pancake which must be flipped at least three times during
the race. A particularly popular contest matches a parent against the Rector,
running in full clerical vestments if it can be arranged.
Jessica is enjoying long discussions on menu variations based on the usual
pancakes, ham slice, and apple sauce, how many cooks versus servers are needed,
and securing volunteer commitments. We have put my son Paul in charge of
buying little race prizes and sugar bead necklaces.
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