Celebrating Shrove Tuesday with Pancakes, Races, and Friends
On Tuesday, March 4th, our church and parish school came together for our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper—a beloved tradition that marks the beginning of Lent with food, fun, and fellowship. Canterbury School Families gathered with our parish families at 6 PM to enjoy stacks of delicious pancakes, mimosas, sausage, lively conversation, and the highlight of the evening: our Pancake Race!
The Pancake Race is one of our annual traditions that is steeped in English history and humor. Legend has it that the race originated when a woman, busy cooking pancakes, heard the church bells ringing for Shrove Tuesday services. Not wanting to be late, she ran to the church, flipping her pancake in the pan as she went. Whether the story is true or not, it’s a delightful tale that sets the stage for our own pancake-flipping fun.
How the Pancake Race Works
The Pancake Race is a highlight of our Shrove Tuesday celebration, and it’s a tradition that’s easy to replicate in your own community. Here’s how we do it—and how you can too!
Key Elements of the Race
- The Course:
- Set up a racecourse that’s appropriate for the age group. For younger children, a shorter course works best, while older students can handle a longer distance. We marked out flipping spots using hula hoops.
- The race can be held indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather and available space. We have done it inside the Parish hall during rainy days, but it is much more fun outside at night.
- The Equipment:
- Each participant needs a skillet or frying pan (or a lightweight pan for younger children) and a pancake.
- For the littlest racers, consider using a plastic plate or toy pan to make it easier.
- The Rules:
- Racers must flip their pancake a set number of times during the race (e.g., once at the start and once at the finish, with every other step, when they land in the hoop, etc).
- For younger children, allow them to pick up a dropped pancake and continue. For older students, make it more challenging by requiring them to start over or require a push up if the pancake falls.
- Consider adding team relays for extra excitement!
- The Spirit:
- Encourage everyone to cheer on the racers, whether they’re running or watching. School spirit and community support make the event even more special.
Why I Love This Tradition
The Pancake Race is more than just a fun event—it’s a way to bring our church and school community together, celebrate our shared faith, and kick off the Lenten season with joy.
I love this tradition because it highlights the uniquely English character of Anglicanism. Quirky customs like the pancake race offer a perfect opportunity to explain the connections between the Prayer Book tradition and the rituals of Oxford and Cambridge. They help make the formal, sometimes foreign-feeling aspects of Anglican Christianity—like choral chants and the swing of incense—feel more relatable and tangible. While not everyone may be drawn to the beauty of our liturgy at first, something as delightfully silly as Pancake Day is liked by almost everyone. Plus, it gives me a lighthearted way to answer the question, “Why pancakes?” by weaving in the history of Lenten fasting and the broader tradition of Christian asceticism.
Does your Parish have a pancake Race?
Whether you’re flipping pancakes, cheering from the sidelines, or enjoying a stack of warm pancakes with friends, Shrove Tuesday is a reminder of the importance of fellowship and tradition.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s race! If you’re inspired to start your own Pancake Race, I’d love to hear about it. Share your stories and photos with me, and let’s keep this delightful tradition alive.
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