For more than 40 years, the Macon Bibb County fire department has served pink pancakes for the Macon community during the International Cherry Blossom Festival each Spring
Chief of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department Shane Edwards says, “The fire department actually came up with the idea of a fundraising idea to do a pink pancake breakfast. We sell tickets for the breakfast, and we donate money back to a nonprofit organization.”
In the past, the fire department has donated to multiple nonprofit organizations and even some Children’s hospitals. The event takes place each Saturday during the festival from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for children. Once people get inside, they can eat pink pancakes, bacon, and sausage. The Fire Department has also partnered up with Brandon Rafael and the Macon Bacon baseball team to host a softball game during the breakfast.
“We play the firefighters against the Sheriff’s department, ” Chief Edwards said, explaining that they wanted to provide something fun for entertainment while people eat. The tournament is called “Guns and Hoses”.
The idea of the breakfast came from Jimmy Henson, a previous chief, who partnered up with the founder of the Cherry Blossom festival, Carolyn Creighton. Henson saw an opportunity.
“I think it was just an opportunity that they saw that we, the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, this was an event that we could do. It comes from the firefighter and the fire department to kind of just do something to give back to the community.” Chief Edwards said.
The same firefighters who make sure that Macon is safe serve pink pancakes to support other worthy causes.
Other than having enough supplies, Chief Edwards explains that the most important part is “hoping for and then being blessed with good weather.” He explains that it’s a great opportunity to get to know the community, experience the lovely weather, and turn a profit.
The best part for both Edwards and the fire department is seeing the smiles from children and their families.
“Seeing families come out on those weekends and participate in the breakfast is just, you know, huge to see children coming out and having smiles on their faces and having a good time.” Chief Edwards said.
