Sioux Falls Pancake Days: A Community Tradition For 69 Years

Pancake Days: A Community Tradition

Every spring, something magical happens at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The smell hits you before you even walk through the doors - butter sizzling, batter bubbling, sausage crackling on a dozen massive grills. It's Pancake Days, and this year the Sioux Falls Downtown Lions Club is celebrating an extraordinary milestone: the 69th annual edition of one of South Dakota's most beloved traditions.

This isn't just a breakfast. It's a phenomenon. You'll find it going on at the Denny Sanford Premier Center on Tuesday, April 14, from 4 to 8 PM and on Wednesday, April 15, from 6 AM to 8 PM.

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The whole thing started in April of 1957, and was originally known as Aunt Jemima Pancake Days. The inaugural pancake feed was a rousing success, with people lined up for two city blocks at its opening.

The founding Lions actually invited Aunt Jemima herself to that first event. She came to Sioux Falls and was presented with a key to the city, and there was even a parade with 50 cars participating.

The Legacy of the Lions: Building Community Through Breakfast

Today, this amazing event is a tradition for families, businesses, the military, and more.

Sixty-nine years later, the scale of this operation is remarkable. Over the course of the two-day pancake feed, approximately 60,000 pancakes and 38,000 sausages are served to more than 10,000 people. What started as a 4-griddle operation has grown into so much more, with trained Lions volunteers flipping 10,560 pancakes per hour. Rush-hour wait times? Typically just 20 to 25 minutes - a testament to the precision and dedication of the volunteer army that makes it all run.

Don't forget to cap off your plate with a scoop of Land O'Lakes ice cream.

Serving Pancakes With A Purpose

Behind every golden flapjack is a community purpose. The funds raised support initiatives like the McCrossan Boys Ranch for at-risk youth, eyeglasses for those in need, vision screenings for children, and grants to various community organizations and local charities.

This is the heart of what the Lions are all about. The Sioux Falls Downtown Lions Club is one of the oldest and most active service organizations in South Dakota.

Sixty-nine years in, the Lions aren't slowing down. They're just getting started.

My Top 5 Favorite South Dakota Made Foods

As I was slicing a piece of cheese off my block of Dimock Dairy Colby cheese and boiling a ring of Bluebird Locker German sausage on the stove, I started thinking, "What foods is South Dakota known for?'

Then I realized the state is known for some of my favorite foods, are they're actually made right here in South Dakota!

So, I decided to search my cupboards and refrigerator looking for other South Dakota-made foods and came up with my Top 5.

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown