Celebrate July 4th with community pancake breakfast

Friends of the Graafschap Fire Department event raises funds and thanks the community for continuing support.

The Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast in 2024.

Celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with the 58-year tradition of food and community at the Annual July Fourth Pancake Breakfast at the Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St.

The event is 6-10 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Suggested donation is $6 for adults and $3 for children. All money goes to Friends of the Graafschap Fire Department, a 501(c)(3) organization that sponsors the event and distributes the funds collected to charitable organizations that in the past included Girls on the Run, Great Lakes Kids Burn Camp, Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

“I believe most people attend the breakfast because they want to celebrate our country’s independence with their friends and neighbors,” said Graafschap Fire Department Chief Doug DenBleyker who has attended more than 40 of the pancake breakfasts.

Check out pictures from last year’s event here.

Pancakes, sausage links, coffee, milk and orange juice are on the menu. Fire trucks, equipment and services will be on display along with items for children.

Last year’s event brought in 1,365 people.

Get a quick video tour of last year’s event here.

Sponsors include Biggby Coffee, Dunes View Kwik Shop, Lawrence Towing, Shoreline Container and Packaging, Quincy Street Market, and Republic Services.

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 to thank the community for its support.

The Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast in 2024.

By the numbers

Firefighters have pancake-flipping down to a science and community members dress in their finest red, white and blue for the holiday event.

Here are some more details about the event:

  • Number of chairs: About 400
  • Number of tables: About 60
  • Number of grills: 8
  • Pancake batter used: 300 pounds in 2025
  • Sausages served: 320 pounds
  • Coffee served: About 800 cups (9 pounds of coffee)
  • Orange juice served: 768 single-serve containers.
  • Total number of people served from 2021-2025: 6,211