Members of the Graafschap Fire Department serve pancakes to community members at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.
They arrived by car and by motorcycle. They arrived by bike, by tandem, by scooter and by foot. They arrived in the back of a wagon pulled by a tractor. No matter how they got to the Graafschap Fire Department station, 4523 60th St. on Friday, July 4, 2025, they arrived to share in a 57-year-old tradition of community, gratitude and, of course, pancakes. Lots of pancakes.
“Thank you to everyone that came out to support Friends of the Graafschap Fire Department,” said Graafschap Fire Department Chief Doug DenBleyker referring to the new nonprofit group that is now handling the event.
Members of the Graafschap Fire Department serve pancakes to community members at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.
The breakfast is a way to thank the community for its support of the department. Proceeds are donated to several local and regional charities.
Supporting organizations this year include sponsor Lawrence Towing. Biggby Coffee donated the coffee, Dunes View Kwik Shop donated the milk and juice, Protemp donated the cooler to keep the ingredients fresh, Republic donated the dumpster, Quincy Street Meats donated the sausages, Shoreline Container donated cardboard to keep the floors clean, and West Michigan Uniform made a cash donation to the event.
Participants enjoy breakfast at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.
The event drew 1,365 people, surpassing last year’s total of 1,325.
Bicyclists fuel up bright and early at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township. Clockwise from front right are Kaden Matt, John Percivail, Jim Carson and Jim Mahaney.
Some of the earliest diners came in Spandex as the griddles fired up about 6:30 a.m. Kaden Matt, John Percivail, Jim Carson and Jim Mahaney fueled up on the flapjacks before they started their bike rides to Glenn, South Haven and beyond.
“It’s a tradition,” said Jim Carson.
The sunrise greets the Bosworth family of Holland at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township. At left, Ehrland Bosworth helps Isla, 2 ½, with her breakfast while Molly holds Rhys, 5 months old.
The Bosworth family of Holland was starting a new tradition, attending their first pancake breakfast at the fire station.
Molly Bosworth held Rhys, 5 months old, as Ehrland helped Isla, 2-and-a-half, with their pancakes. They arrived early as the sun rose to secure a parking spot and because the kids were already awake, Molly said.
Vern Geurink drives a tractor that pulls a wagon to carry people to the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.
Vern Geurink drove the tractor that shuttled dozens of people between Graafschap Church, just up the road, and the fire station.
Members of the Graafschap Fire Department serve pancakes to community members at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.
The pancake breakfast started in 1968 as a way for the Graafschap Civic Club to raise money for a ball field. The fire department took over organizing and running the breakfast in 1991.
The Graafschap Fire Department serves all of Laketown Township and part of Fillmore Township.
Members of the Graafschap Fire Department serve pancakes to community members at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.Early morning sunshine filters into the bays at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.Members of the Graafschap Fire Department serve community members at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.The crowd enjoys the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.Members of the Graafschap Fire Department serve breakfast to community members at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.The line stretches down the driveway at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.People arrive at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.Hundreds of people enjoy breakfast at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.Equipment on display at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.Equipment on display at the annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.The annual Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the fire station, 4523 60th St. in Laketown Township.
