Alcoa Kiwanis hosted 33rd annual Pancake Breakfast

Rainy weather did not keep people looking for pancakes and conversation away from the Alcoa Kiwanis 33rd annual Pancake Breakfast.

Attendees who entered the student commons area of Alcoa High School were greeted by live music from The Cat’s Away group, second in a lineup of four music groups, including a finale by the king himself, Elvis.

Once they went through the line for their pancakes and coffee, which Vienna Coffee Company supplied, people gathered at tables to relax and enjoy a little chatting.

Brad Smith, Pancake Chairman, said they anticipated around 600 people would attend the event and volunteers would likely serve over 2,000 pancakes.

Smith said last year’s Pancake Breakfast brought in $52,000 in corporate donations and ticket sales. Alcoa Kiwanis then donates those funds to organizations like Isaiah 117 House and Special Olympics.

Kiwanis “mission is to help children and families and local communities,” said Smith

About 20 high school key club members were also there helping to serve and bus tables.

Smith said the Pancake Breakfast is “like a homecoming for folks. Some people don’t see each other except this time of year.”

Among the attendees were East Tennessee Wanderers, an East Tennessee walking club. They have attended the Pancake Breakfast for several years, said East Tennessee Wanderer’s president, Guy Calkins.

“We enjoy the camaraderie and the social aspects of being together as a group and supporting the lives of one of our members,” he said.