Start your weekend off right: it’s pancake season. The 71st Annual Galesburg Noon Lions Pancake Festival is Friday, February 15th at First United Methodist Church in Galesburg. Noon Lions members will be serving up all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee, and milk. Times are staggered to make it easier to come out: serving from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday. Lions member Chris Pio says it’s the Lions Club biggest fundraiser since 1949. “There will be a drop-off if anyone wants to bring in old eyeglasses or hearing aids,” he said. “Turn those in for recycling. That’s kind of our primary mission, but we’ve expanded that. We collect keys for recycling and Christmas lights (too). We’re about halfway to our goal of 100 pints of blood donated. We’ve had a couple blood drives here in the last couple months. It’s our big way to pay back to our community for supporting our club, and it’s just a fun way to interact with everybody.” Tickets can be purchased at the door. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. First United Methodist Church is located on the corner of Kellogg and Ferris in downtown Galesburg.
An annual event returns this weekend that has had those with a sweet-tooth rejoicing for over 30 years. The Galesburg Historical Society’s Annual Chocolate Festival is Saturday, February 16th and Sunday, February 17th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The festival will be held at the Prairie Players Civic Theatre for the second year in a row. You name it, chocolate will be in it: from a chocolate fountain and chocolate-covered bacon to chocolate cheesecake and chocolate chili. Deb Sugai with the historical society says about 80% of local restaurants donate to the event and advanced tickets are available. “We have several places around town that you can buy advanced tickets for $8,” she said. “That would be both Hy Vee grocery stores, the Frame Works shop, Innkeepers, Dove Tail (arts), and Brighter Life. At the door (tickets) are $10. We’d love to see as many people come out and have a good time as can make it.” Proceeds from the event will go towards the Galesburg Historical Society’s Museum on the 3rd floor of the Galesburg Antiques Mall.
Also this weekend, the Polar Plunge is being held Sunday, February 17th from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm out at Lake Storey beach. The Polar Plunge helps benefit the Special Olympics. FM 95 will be broadcasting live from the event.
