BUCKHANNON – Who doesn’t love red, juicy, sweet strawberries covering a stack of warm delicious pancakes?
For those who have missed the Strawberry Festival’s pancake breakfast, we have good news – the event is back on the lineup of events and will be serving up delicious fare this Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21, from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, located at 52 S. Florida St. in Buckhannon.
This year, the event includes pancakes, sausage, fresh strawberries and maple and strawberry syrup. Folks will have the opportunity to enjoy the breakfast in-person, but carryout meals are also available, and both come with and without gluten.
Co-organizers of this year’s event, the Rev. Barry and Pam Moll, said they are excited to host the breakfast’s return following a two-year hiatus.
“The last time we were able to do the strawberry pancake breakfast was during the 2019 West Virginia Strawberry Festival,” Barry Moll said, adding that marked the first time the couple co-hosted the event.
Pam Moll said on Thursday evening, there are about 30 volunteers who will get together to clean and prepare about 30 flats of strawberries for the event.
“There are some different things we are doing this year to make sure the event is as safe as possible for those attending,” Barry Moll shared. “In the past, we have had bottles of syrup on the table and this year, the syrup will be packaged in individual containers. We are doing the same things with the strawberries – packaging them in individual containers – because in past years, they were in big bowls and folks helped themselves.”
Another new offering at the strawberry pancake breakfast is the sausage. The Molls said the sausage this year will come from the Rock Cave IGA – which they said is a local favorite for sausage.
“Around Groundhog Day, the Rock Cave IGA sells ‘ground hog,’ which folks really like,” Barry Moll said. “This year, our sausage will be from Rock Cave IGA, and we know everyone will really enjoy that and enjoy that it is a locally produced product.”
Normally, more than 800 people attend the strawberry pancake breakfast and Pam Moll said approximately 150 volunteers work to make the event a success.
“The proceeds from this event are divided 50/50 between the Upshur Christmas Store and the youth and children’s ministries through the Upshur Parish House,” Barry Moll said. “It provides funding and assistance for students going on mission trips or scholarships for church camps or large youth gatherings.”
Pam Moll said a new offering during this year’s strawberry pancake breakfast is homemade strawberry jam.
“There was a group of ladies who gathered and made 100 pints of strawberry jam and nearly 50 half pints of strawberry jam,” she said. “Those will be available for purchase at the pancake and sausage event.”
So, get out on Friday and Saturday and get some delicious strawberry pancakes, locally made sausage and homemade strawberry jam and help support the Upshur Christmas Store and local youth activities.
“Folks just really believe in these two sets of ministries, and everyone is ready to help our children and youth,” Barry Moll said. “Upshur County is an extraordinarily generous place. The support that comes so consistently to Upshur Parish House and ministries is amazing. When word goes out that something is needed, I have not yet seen the residents of Upshur County fail to respond. It is exciting to live in a place where people make sure kids have a wonderful Christmas and youth get to go and do meaningful things where they learn about what life is about by helping other people.”
Secondly, the Molls said the West Virginia Strawberry Festival is a fun event.
“For many people, this is their way to be a part of the Strawberry Festival,” Barry Moll said. “A lot of people look to this strawberry pancake breakfast as one of the events on the calendar and it is something special to do. It makes those putting this on part of the Strawberry Festival event.”
Pam Moll asked that people remember to spread the word about the breakfast.
“Let’s get people out and raise money for a good cause,” Pam Moll said.
The strawberry pancake breakfast is dually sponsored by the Upshur Parish House and the Upshur Christmas Store.
