Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But brunch might be the most fun.
Locals will be able to get a stack of pancakes and wash it down with a few mimosas at the upcoming Pancake Palooza: The Ultimate Brunchfest event coming to Leesburg on Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Leesburg Towne Square, 510 W. Main Street Leesburg.
Prior to the 10 a.m. pancake party, locals can walk or run 3.1 miles in the Flapjack 5k event. Check in for the race begins at 8 a.m., and the race starts at 9 a.m.
Those who cross the finish line will be awarded a stack of pancakes to enjoy.
“This is a nice workout option for people who feel they need to earn their carbs,” Miguel Larsen, event coordinator for the City of Leesburg, said. “You don’t have to participate in the 5k to attend the Pancake Palooza though. Everyone can come out and have fun — and pancakes.”
Runners must pay the $16.90 race and signup fees. Registration for the 5k ends on Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m.
The proceeds from the event will benefit the Leesburg Humane Society, a local non-profit animal shelter that will be bringing rescued cats and dogs to the event and made available for adoption.
“Even though we have been around for over 60 years, many people do not know about us because of our location. Our shelter is on 10 acres in, as we say, the “country” side of Leesburg,” said Heidi Gaument, program manager for the Leesburg Humane Society, 41250 Emeralda Island Road Leesburg .
She added that the event is the perfect opportunity for the society to connect with local businesses and members of the Leesburg community.
“Being invited to this event gives us wonderful exposure and the opportunity to meet people from Leesburg and neighboring communities,” Gaument added. “(It) also gives us the opportunity to spread the word about our new program, Forever Home Pet Trust, which is a location for lifetime care of pets if their owner passes away.”
Anyone interested in the pets at the event can apply through the online application at leesburghumanesociety.org or come to the shelter to begin the adoption process.
Along with furry friends, the Pancake Palooza will have several food truck vendors and local restaurants including Gran Arepa, Hurt’s BBQ, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and others that will attend the event and participate by adding one pancake centered item to their menu for guests to try.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a restaurant in downtown Leesburg, will be making stacks of traditional pancakes for the 5k runners and special dog pancakes for the dogs joining the party.
“It’s an honor and pretty cool to be a part of this. It isn’t a (typical) Leesburg event and with us being the only breakfast spot in downtown Leesburg, we had to participate some way,” James Hobgood, part owner of the restaurant, said. “We’re going to be making a lot of pancakes.”
For those who get thirsty after — or before — chowing down on pancakes, guests can grab a mimosa or a bloody Mary from one of the vendors.
“We are excited for this event. It is a great creative way to bring the community together,” Larsen said. “We want everyone to have fun and raise their level of awareness on what’s happening in the city.”
To learn more about the Pancake Palooza or register for the 5k race, visit leesburgflorida.gov.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
