Pancakes on the Plaza | Things to do in Santa Fe for 4th of July | Santa Fe Major Events

What is Pancakes on the Plaza?

Pancakes on the Plaza is the Rotary Club of Santa Fe’s largest annual fundraiser. In 2023, the Rotary Club of Santa Fe is celebrating its Centennial Year, “100 Years of Service to the Santa Fe Community,” by providing the Santa Fe Children’s Museum with the Van of Enchantment, a mobile museum for the children of Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico. They have also committed to rebuilding the amphitheater at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum to create a performance venue for the youth of the community. In addition, they are working with YouthWorks to provide residential and vocational training. In total, the group has committed $500,000 to these two organizations as part of the Centennial Celebration.

Pancakes on the Plaza helped fund the Van of Enchantment. — Pancakes on the Plaza helped fund the Van of Enchantment for the Santa Fe Children’s Museum. Courtesy photo.

Over the years, Pancakes on the Plaza has raised $750,000. That’s a lot of pancakes!

You can expect vendors, live music, vintage cars, and, of course, pancakes! Tickets are $12 with a family pack of four for $40. Tickets can be purchased in advance at pancakesontheplaza.com and on the plaza on July 4th.

The day kicks off at 7 a.m. when pancakes are first served (service continues until noon), and the car show and arts and crafts show begin. The Santa Fe Vintage Car Club Show goes until 1 p.m. on Lincoln Avenue and the Arts and Crafts Show on Palace and Lincoln Avenues continues until 4 p.m. Then from 8 a.m. until noon, the kids can enjoy children’s activities. Entertainment on the gazebo runs from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

There are more than just pancakes! What’s on the menu?

Everyone gets a plate of two pancakes, butter, maple syrup, sausage, and your choice of milk, orange juice, or coffee. This year’s sausage sponsors are the Flying Tortilla, Pantry Rio, and Santa Fe Capitol Grill. Coffee is sponsored by Aroma Coffee. Milk and butter are courtesy of Sarah Farms, and Trader Joe’s will be providing the orange juice. Pancake service ends at noon.

Who makes the batter?

Volunteers meet at the Hilton Hotel to mix up five-gallon buckets of batter to be transported to the plaza for the big day.

How many pancakes are served in an average year?

16,000 – 20,000 pancakes are served at Pancakes on the Plaza every year.

How many people attend Pancakes on the Plaza?

15,000 – 20,000 people attend Pancakes on the Plaza annually.

What are other festivities that can be enjoyed?

A pancake breakfast isn’t the only thing to look forward to. Another huge attraction is the vintage car show. Enjoy local vendors and live music. The Santa Fe Children’s Museum will offer a Kids Crafts Area, too.

How many volunteers work on Pancakes on the Plaza?

300 to 400 people volunteer their time cooking and serving pancakes, selling tickets, answering questions, and so much more.

What’s your tip for first-time attendees?

Get there early! The lines are shorter, and the weather is cooler.

Good things to know if you’re attending the event.

There are public restrooms at 123 Water Street.

You can become a volunteer, too!

If you’re interested in volunteering at the 2023 Pancakes on the Plaza, there is still room. To inquire and find out more, visit pancakesontheplaza.com and go to the volunteer tab.

What is the Rotary Club of Santa Fe?

The Rotary Club of Santa Fe is a group of 80+ members who are strongly committed and focused on doing good and giving back to the community.

Rotary International was founded in 1905 and established in Santa Fe in 1924.

Rotary International is a global service organization of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who work toward a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves.

Rotarians are people of action using their passion, energy, and intelligence to create sustainable projects that have had a lasting impact on their communities for more than 115 years. From literacy and peace to water and health, including the major effort to erradicate polio throughout the world, Rotarians are always working together to better our world!

Rotary’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through their fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. If you have a passion for doing good in your community and want to become a Rotarian, visit santaferotary.org for more information

Rotary Club of Santa Fe will be celebrating its 100^th anniversary in 2024 but started its centennial project at the 2022 Pancakes on the Plaza.

What is the Rotary Club of Santa Fe’s Centennial Project?

Historically, local youth programs apply to be selected for support from the funds raised by Pancakes on the Plaza. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, the focus is on the centennial project. The first goal of the project is to fund a mobile museum, the Van of Enchantment, for the Santa Fe Children’s Museum and repair their amphitheater. The second goal is to help YouthWorks with transitional housing for the youth they help. YouthWorks provides a continuum of services designed to reconnect at-risk and disadvantaged youth with the community through education, employment training, and job placement.

Who are the sponsors?

There are more than 112 sponsors supporting this year’s event, including Capitol Ford, Century Bank, Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center, Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center/Anchorum St. Vincent, Kansas Philanthropies Inc., First National 1870, and Del Norte Credit Union.