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Today, Londoners are celebrating Fat Tuesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday, the day that traditionally precedes the start of Lent. In the UK capital, this special Tuesday is also fondly referred to as Pancake Day. What better way to celebrate than by donning a whimsical costume, grabbing a frying pan, and racing through the streets alongside fellow revelers?
Indeed, this quirky tradition unfolded once again in London, where participants embraced the festive spirit in full force.
One particularly eye-catching participant took to the streets dressed as a pencil—though the connection to pancakes remains a delightful mystery.
Remarkably, this charming event has been a part of London’s cultural tapestry for many years, a fact that might surprise those unfamiliar with the city’s unique traditions.
Adding to the festivities, there’s even a “Kiss of Peace” shared among participants, because why not embrace a little extra goodwill on such a joyful occasion?
Uh, what? pic.twitter.com/9S4PPZFZRN
— Ward Clark (@TheGreatLander) February 17, 2026
What’s more, it seems this has been going on for many years now. Who knew?
In Olney, England, the Pancake Race tradition dates back nearly 600 years to 1445. A woman engrossed in using up cooking fats (forbidden during Lent) was making pancakes. Hearing the church bells ring calling everyone to the shriving service, she grabbed her head scarf (required in church) and ran 415 yards to the church, skillet and pancake in hand and still apron-clad. In following years, neighbors got into the act and it became a race to see who could reach the church first and collect a “Kiss of Peace” from the verger (bell-ringer.)
A “Kiss of Peace?” Well, why not?
According to that same page, you don’t have to go to the UK to participate, either. There are Pancake Day events right here in the USA.
It all started in 1950 from a magazine picture of the Olney women racing each other to the church. Liberal Jaycee President R.J. Leete contacted the Rev. Ronald Collins, Vicar of St. Peter and St. Paul’s church in Olney, challenging their women to race against women of Liberal. Like in Olney, the traditional prize of the race is the “Kiss of Peace” from the verger (bellringer).
International Pancake Day in Liberal has expanded into a full day event, beginning this year on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025, with a pancake breakfast, pancake eating and flipping contests, youth races, a men’s pacer race, the international race, the shriving service, an international video call between the two cities, and capping it with a parade.
Again, who knew?
These kinds of local – and in this case, not-so-local – events, well, they’re not just fun. They can be a part of a community’s unique culture, even if that culture does involve sticking on a silly outfit, picking up a frying pan, and racing your neighbors. Why not?
The schedule – that’s pronounced “shedjule” over there – has a pancake breakfast, of course. Then the games begin: Races for girls, races for boys, mascot races, and something called a Men’s Pacer race – not sure what that is. And then, there is the big deal, the International Pancake Day Race. It’s no doubt a good time, and we Americans have a few odd traditions of our own. For example, here in Alaska, we celebrate Independence Day by launching cars off a cliff, so who are we to judge?
After all, some people juggle geese.
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