National Cathedral Presents Washington’s Only Mardi Gras Pancake Races

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Washington National Cathedral will host its annual Pancake Races on Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Mardi Gras, on February 17, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Teams from the Cathedral, campus partners National Cathedral School and St. Albans School and Open City Café will race through a course on the grounds of the Cathedral flipping pancakes all the way as they compete for the coveted Golden Skillet, the competition’s top prize.

Open City Café will also be handing out samples at the event and will award waffles to the Pancake Race winner.

This is the only event of its kind in Washington, celebrating the British tradition of “Pancake Day,” as Mardi Gras is known there, to mark the last day before the beginning of Lent. In centuries past, cooking pancakes made good use of eggs, butter, and milk – all rich foods that are traditionally eschewed during the forty days of Lent.

WHAT: “Shrove Tuesday” (Mardi Gras) Pancake Races
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. EST
WHERE: Washington National Cathedral, West Front (or in the Nave, in the case of inclement weather)
WHO: Pancake racing teams from Washington National Cathedral, Open City Café, National Cathedral School for Girls and St. Albans School

RSVP: Media are invited and coverage of this colorful photo opportunity and community event is welcome. To attend, please RSVP to Natalie Butz, West End Strategy Team, [email protected] or 202-776-7700 in advance.