cuttings. We were very interested in the early years, especially the correspondence between Cannon Collins and R.J. Leete in January 1950.
At 5pm we were guests of the Dignitary Reception at the Baker Art Centre. We met so many people and some of the Board had prepared a lovely buffet supper. The exhibition in the centre consisted of pieces from local schools.
Soon after, we were driven to the impressive Liberal High School Auditorium, where they held a talent show for young people, aged from toddlers to 20 years old. The overall winner was Miriah Rome, with a hula hoop routine called 'Circus'.
On Tuesday, Pancake Day started very early. We were picked up from our hotel at 6.45 am to go to the Pancake Breakfast at the enormous Seward County Event Centre. They cater for between 1,500 and 2,000 people from 6-10am , serving two American style pancakes (more like waffles) with a flattened sausage. These could be accompanied with maple syrup and or ketchup.
Liberal made breakfast a big affair, inviting the Governor of Kansas , their serving Senator, State Representatives , the Sheriff, the Mayor of Liberal and, of course, Viva I were included with the guests, sitting on a platform. At about 8.30am _the assembled company were called to order and a detachment of the US National Guard paraded the Stars and Stripes. The Union Flag was also put up on the stage, and
the Redskin Singers played and sang the two national anthems. After this there was a series of introductions and speeches. It was a fantastic chance for Viv and I to say a very big thankyou to the Pancake Board and the people of Liberal for such a warm and friendly reception.
It was soon time to get back to the Pancake Hall of Fame and prepare for the Pancake Races. We think there was nearly 30 youth races (from 3 year aids up to 18 year olds), followed by a Last Chance Race for the ladies of mature years. There was also a Men's Pacer Race, which proved to be very serious and competitive . Finally, on the dot at 11.55am (the same time as those back home), the nine ladies competed in the International Pancake Race. The course is so different to Olney, with big wide streets and avenues , but with significant corners to match our bends in High Street South and Church Street.
Summer Parsons was crowned the winner. She was given a crown and a handsome purple velvet cloak, then was taken off to the first United Methodist Church for the Shriving Service. We presented her with the book of Olney Hymns and a lace bookmark that Ann Minney had very kindly made, and we saw the video link with Olney to find out the International Winner. It seemed very strange for us seeing all our friends from Olney gathered in the Church Hall via satellite link.
The last part of the day in Liberal is the Grand Parade, where the winner is
paraded through Liberal in an open-top car. We were 'Grand Marshalls' for this and were ahead in a large Jeep, waving to all the crowds that had gathered in the streets. The parade also included a local band with cheerleaders, floats, cars, a fire engine, members of the National Guard, local police and many more.
As in Olney everyone was exhausted by the day's events, but the Pancake Board still managed to put on a small farewell party for us in the evening. We were very overwhelmed by the hospitality we had received, and it was very sad having to say goodbye to all our new friends.
We left Liberal the next day on Wednesday, and spent two and half weeks driving through Oklahoma City, Fort Worth and Houston to New Orleans, where we spent three days enjoying the lively musical atmosphere there. We continued round the Gulf Coast through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and finally into Florida, where we found some warmth and sunshine to finish off our trip.
We were not disappointed and particularly enjoyed Naples on the south West Coast, and driving through the Everglades to our final destination - Miami.
On our last night, we met up with Tim and Arla Fowler from Liberal. They are both involved with Pancake Day but, because of work commitments, happened to be in Miami. They visited Olney 17 years ago and would like to come back to visit. We spent a lovely evening with them catching up.
The next day we packed our cases for the final time and flew home to what was a very wet March morning .
We were honoured to be asked to represent Olney in Liberal, and we hope that the bond between our two communities will continue . We look forward to welcoming representatives from Liberal to Olney next year.
International Flavour
Tony and Viv Evans
Phonebox Magazine 75