Pancake Day Committee Presents Annual Awards

Hall of Fame

Award Jay Bhakta,accepted the Hall of Fame Award on behalf of the Liberal Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board from Pancake Day Board member Dr. Jack Jacob. The Hall of Fame Award is presented each year to a community group or person who has shown extraordinary support for Pancake Day. The Liberal Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board recently funded new signs for Pancake Day as well as providing grants for other Pancake Day functions. Bhakta is vice chair of the board and owner of Quality Inn in Liberal.

R. J. Leete Award

Dr. Jack Jacob presented the R. J. Leete award to Pancake Day Board members Greg and Alicia Bird. Each year, the Pancake Day General Chairman selects a Pancake Day Board member who has gone above and beyond the call of service to receive the award, which is named after Pancake Day founder R. J. Leete. Greg Bird has served as chairman of the breakfast for a number of years, while Alicia recently joined the board as co-chairman of the inter-school flipping competitions. Alicia is also the daughter of Liberal’s first race winner, Billie Warden. Jacob presented the award on behalf of General Chairman Ronna Stump, who was ill.

Grand Marshal Award

Pancake Day Board member Dr. Jack Jacob presented a plaque to Al Shank who served as the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade. Shank has announced both the parade and the Pancake Day races for almost three decades. The honor has special significance for Shank. His dad, Al Shank, Sr., was also a long-time Pancake Day announcer and served as parade Grand Marshal 30 years ago.