Scarborough's Pancake Day traditions: here's what's happening when

Scarborough’s Pancake Day traditions will return once again in just over a week’s time.
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Tuesday February 25 will see the return of the annual skipping on the seafront, and the Pancake Races in the town centre.

The Races are organised by Scarborough Council. Borough mayor Cllr Hazel Lynskey will ring the pancake bell at the North Street/Westborough junction at 12pm and the Pancake Races will start shortly after, in Aberdeen Walk.

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Teams of two runners will take to the starting line in a plethora of fancy dress outfits before flipping their pancakes as they hare off along the course.

Last year's skipping.Last year's skipping.
Last year's skipping.

The event is not purely one of speed and athleticism, but one of dexterity and skill as well as quality and imagination in the fancy dress.

Teams will be judged on their fancy dress, pancake flipping technique and the amount of pancake left in the frying pan at the end of the relay.

Cllr Janet Jefferson, President of the Chamber of Trade, and Shirley Smith from Scarborough Hospitality Association will judge the races.

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The winners will take home the much coveted “Golden Frying Pan” and a £50 Tesco voucher. Runners-up will receive a £25 Tesco voucher.

Last year's Pancake Races on Aberdeen Walk.Last year's Pancake Races on Aberdeen Walk.
Last year's Pancake Races on Aberdeen Walk.

On Foreshore Road, which will be closed to traffic from 12pm, families and youngsters will be jumping for joy too with the traditional skipping, a tradition that’s been going on for more than 100 years.

Scarborough Sea Cadets will be cooking up pancakes from their East Sandgate HQ.

Scarborough is the only town where Shrove Tuesday long-rope skipping takes place.

The event originated from an older tradition known then as ‘Ball Day’ – a public holiday when apprentices and servants would play games on the foreshore.