CENTERVILLE, IOWA -- The sunny weather helped Centerville's 63rd annual Pancake Day become a success.
Thousands from all around the Heartland descended upon Centerville Saturday morning to eat the free gourmet pancakes, served until 1 p.m. in the afternoon.
Many watched the dazzling dancers from the Dance Department dance studio perform on stage to the likes of Aretha Franklin and Gloria Estefan. Meanwhile, the little ones enjoyed carnival games and pony rides.
Most of the people KTVO talked to said their favorite part of the celebration was the big parade.
"It's pretty nice. It brings everybody out," said Indian Hills basketball player and small forward Michael Haynes, of Chicago. "They say there's going to be about 20,000 people out here so I think it's a good thing."
"It's just one of the best months of the year because you get everybody together, " said Robbie Boyter, a third grader whose family is originally from Centerville but has moved to South Carolina. He came back to visit his grandmother.
"I think I like the big parade. It's just seeing all of the kids in the bands, coming from different towns, and then just seeing the different floats that the community builds," said Kathi Crew, of Centerville, who has been attending the celebration for the past twenty years.
Throughout the day, there were various entertainment acts including magician Steve Barcellona, and Kinetic entertainer Laura Ernst.
In the evening, Home Free, an A capella singing group is scheduled to perform at 4:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. and Little White Lie, a rock band, will perform following the Pancake Day pageant at 8:15 p.m.
Also, the Miss Pancake Day pageant starts at 5:30 p.m. This year there are 11 contestants.
For more information, head to the Pancake Day website.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO