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Berthoud Flips Over Flapjack Day

150 150 City Star Brewing

Flapjack Day, a Labor Day tradition that began in Berthoud in the 1940s and was renewed by Star City Brewing in 2015, returned to Berthoud Monday.

The celebration, originally the domain of the local Chamber of Commerce, was eventually discontinued in 1958 because it became too large to maintain. That changed in 2015 when Star City Brewing bartender Ian Phillips noticed an old photograph on the wall of the brewery depicting the event, and he became determined to bring it back.

Since then the event has ballooned, even overcoming an unexpected two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, to establish itself as a community tradition once again.

Berthoud Flapjack Day, a tradition from the mid-20th century that was revived by City Star Brewing in 2015, offers free pancakes to visitors. (Will Costello / Loveland Reporter Herald).

“I think that it has,” said Diane Levy, director of the Berthoud Historical Society and one of the main organizers and flapjack flippers during the festivities. “For an example, several people have said ‘I missed it last year, I couldn’t make it. So I changed my travel plans to be here this time.’”

Donations at Flapjack Day benefit the Historical Society, especially important, said Levy, now that they are no longer running annual galas, one of the society’s main fundraisers.

For the first time, donations could also be made online or with credit cards, as opposed to past years when they were limited to cash stuffed into jars by grateful attendees.

“As the person handing out the pancakes most of the morning, I just kept saying ‘The Historical Society thanks you!’” Levy said.

Pancakes are not the only attraction to Flapjack Day though.

Taking place at a brewery in the late morning and early afternoon, flights of breakfast beers are on sale at City Star Brewing, with part of the proceeds benefiting the Historical Society. A classic car show allows collectors and others to peek under the hood of old Model T’s, Corvette’s, and other classics stretched down First Street in Berthoud, and live music, this year provided by the Vern Neeley Vibe, was presented in the late afternoon.

The Flapjack Queen Contest, a women-only eating competition where contestants race to house five flapjacks faster than the rest, had a few changes this year.

The most notable was an absence. Reigning Flapjack Queen Lynsey Morgan, who has emerged victorious by considerable margins in the last five Flapjack Queen contests, chose to retire this year, although she did bring her family to the event in order to crown the winner and to eat pancakes at a more modest pace.

Her successor, Lexy Seeley, licked her plate clean at the 2:10 mark.

“I got some pointers from the queen herself,” she said, gesturing at Morgan who was standing nearby. “It definitely helps to have somebody who has battle experience.”

Phillips, the bartender who renewed the tradition in 2015, has shifted careers from “slinging beers to slinging houses,” but still hosts the event and the eating competition.

“The generosity of everyone who shows up and donates, as well as the sponsors, is what keeps this alive,” Phillips said. “And we’re hoping to keep doing it. Because it is just a real community event where everybody gets together to do something cool.”

Flap Jack Day

Flapjack Day

640 675 City Star Brewing

Free flapjacks, breakfast beer flights, vintage cars, 50’s dress, support for the Berthoud Historical Society and the Flapjack Queen Contest… bringing it ALL back in 2023!

FLAPJACK DAY HISTORY

In 1948 the Town of Berthoud created “Flapjack Day” to be celebrated on Labor Day to bring neighbors together and visitors from afar to enjoy one of the simple pleasures in life… flapjacks.

From 1948 to 1958 the local Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce hosted Flapjack Day in Berthoud Town Park that drew hordes of people to “The Garden Spot.” On the first Flapjack Day (1948) an estimated 1,000 persons descended on Berthoud to devour 5,000 free pancakes. By 1949, The Berthoud Bulletin announced that 3,700 visitors from 21 states downed a whopping 7,400 flapjacks. Over its eleven-year span, Flapjack Day grew to include the crowning of a Flapjack Queen. spike-driving, swimming and diving contests, a baton twirling competition, pet-and-doll parades, a pig catching scramble, a tractor driving challenge. The last Flapjack Day was held in 1959 when the Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel; the event due to the high cost of hosting such a spectacle.

City Star Brewing brought this annual tradition back to life in 2015: giving away 1,000 flap jacks, raising $1,000 for the Berthoud Historical Society, and crowning the first Flapjack Queen in 50 years – Caitlin Ascher.

2022 Schedule and Info below… stay tuned for 2023 details!

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

11am-4pm: FREE Flapjacks
11am-5pm: Breakfast Beer Flights
11am-1pm: Vintage Car Show
1:30: Flapjack Queen Contest
3-5pm: Live Music with The Vern Neeley Vibe

Sign up to participate in the Flapjack Queen Contest here
If you would like to participate in the car show please contact Clyde at:  clyde@lodge.org

Berthoud for Beginners

1000 543 City Star Brewing

We will hosting Berthoud Historical Society President Mark French for a presentation on Berthoud for Beginners. French’s free to-the-public presentation will be held in the Zoller Barrel Room and will feature his historical perspective of the community’s early development including notable landmarks and geographic features. A life-long resident of the community, French aims to give newcomers to the community a unique historical context for Berthoud and the surrounding Little Thompson Valley.

The event will also provide an opportunity for participants to sign up for morning (9:00 a.m.) or afternoon (1:00 p.m.) Berthoud for Beginners field trips that Mr. French will be lead on Saturday, May 25, 2019. The three hour fieldtrip ($20 per person) will travel on a 16-passenger bus through Berthoud and the Little Thompson Valley while Mr. French describes the historical significance of various structures and sites. The $20 fee also includes a one-year complimentary membership to the Berthoud Historical Society. To reserve your spot on a 5/25 field trip contact Mark French at marksfrench2003@yahoo.com or 970-443-4491. Slots are expected to fill quickly.

Free flap jacks, Flap Jack Queen contest, classic cars, breakfast beers and small town love…

150 150 City Star Brewing

City Star’s 3rd Annual Flap Jack Day will be held on Labor Day, Monday, September 4th from 11am-6pm. The event features FREE flap jacks, vintage car show and the Flap Jack Queen contest. In a modern twist, the craft brewery will also offer a flap jack themed breakfast beer flight to serve throughout the day: French Toast Stout, Mochaccino Brown Ale, Apple Turnover Lager, Tart Cherry Saison, and Pineapple IPA. The Hop mobile vintage boutique will be on site this year, offering unique apparel, accessories, and decor specializing in the 40’s-60’s. At 3pm ladies will compete in the Flap Jack Queen Contest to be the first lady to finish 5 flap jacks, complete with a tiara and prizes from local businesses. All donations benefit the Berthoud Historical Society. Attendees should dress to impress as the town steps back into the fabulous 50’s. Learn more at http://berthoudflapjackday.com.

A bit of flap jack history courtesy of the Berthoud Historical Society… from 1948 to 1958 the local Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce hosted a Flap Jack Day in Berthoud Town Park that drew hordes of people to “The Garden Spot.” On the first Flap Jack Day (1948) an estimated 1,000 persons descended on Berthoud to devour 5,000 free pancakes. By 1949, The Berthoud Bulletin announced that 3,700 visitors from 21 states downed a whopping 7,400 flap jacks. Over its eleven-year span, Flap Jack Day grew to include the crowning of a Flap Jack Queen, spike-driving, swimming and diving contests, a baton twirling competition, pet-and-doll parades, a pig catching scramble, a tractor driving challenge. The last Flap Jack Day was held in 1959 when the Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel the event due to the high cost of hosting such a spectacle.

Berthoud Flap Jack Day a Success… Best in 50 Years

150 150 City Star Brewing

Flap-Jack-DaySeptember 8th 2015
Berthoud, Colorado

This Labor Day City Star Brewing brought Flap Jack Day back to life from the dusty pages of Berthoud’s history books: 1,000 Flap Jacks flipped, $1,000 raised for the Berthoud Historical Society and the first Flap Jack Queen crowned in over 50 years.

Community members devoured 1,000 free flap jacks at City Star Brewing on Labor Day. Flap jacks were prepared by Diane Levy and flipped by local volunteers (Diane’s secret buttermilk pancake recipe will be auctioned off at the Berthoud Historical Society’s Pioneer Heritage Gala on 9/19). Hays market provided complimentary breakfast sausage and Da Bean served free coffee. Inside the taproom patrons enjoyed a flap jack theme flight of beers: Coffee Stout, Peach Belgian Pale Ale, Hazelnut Brown Ale, Strawberry Golden Ale, and Cask Conditioned Maple Brown Ale. Flap Jack Day raised $1,000 for the Berthoud Historical Society.

Caitlin Ascher was crowned 2015 Flap Jack Queen in a contest with 10 other ladies. The contest to devour 5 flap jacks the fastest was complete in under 1 minute. Caitlin’s win was sweetened with prizes from Berthoud Inn, Brookside Gardens Spa, Renaze Salon, Colorado Aromatics, and Rosalee’s Pizza.

City Star Brewing co-owner Whitney Way comments on Flap Jack Day, “It was a privilege to return Flap Jack Day to the Berthoud community. We are honored to have this opportunity, and we really enjoyed building upon what was once a great event in our little town. 1955 Flap Jack Queen Lewann Jensen even made an appearance this year. Lewann was one of dozens to thanks us at City Star for bringing back Flap Jack Day. Thank you for allowing us to Berthoud!”

Save the date for the next Flap Jack Day: Monday, September 5th.

A bit of flap jack history courtesty the Berthoud Historical Society… from 1948 to 1958 the local Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce hosted a Flapjack Day in Berthoud Town Park that drew hordes of people to “The Garden Spot.” On the first Flapjack Day (1948) an estimated 1,000 persons descended on Berthoud to devour 5,000 free pancakes. By 1949, The Berthoud Bulletin announced that 3,700 visitors from 21 states downed a whopping 7,400 apjacks. Over its eleven-year span, Flapjack Day grew to include the crowning of a Flapjack Queen. spike-driving, swimming and diving contests, a baton twirling competition, pet-and-doll parades, a pig catching scramble, a tractor driving challenge. The last Flapjack Day was held in 1959 when the Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel; the event due to the high cost of hosting such a spectacle.