Crowds of people and the sweet aroma of hot pancakes filled the AEP building in downtown Ironton Saturday. The Ironton Rotary Club hosted its annual Pancake Day, the biggest fundraiser of the year.

By approximately 10 a.m. Saturday with two hours left to go, 300 people had already been served at the annual event.

Jeff Clark, Rotary club president, said this year’s breakfast started out slow but soon picked up. He added that he was happy with the turnout.

“(We) thank everyone for coming out and supporting the Rotary club,” Clark said. “This is our main fundraiser of the year and we appreciate the support.”

Clark said the club hoped to raise between $2,500 and $3,000 during the event. The money is used to help support various civic projects that the club sponsors throughout the year.

Representatives from the Ironton Health Department were on hand at the breakfast to provide flu shots and Boy Scouts from Troop 103 of Deering helped clear tables.

Ed Rambacher, a Rotarian for the past 35 years, said he enjoys the breakfast because of the people who come.

“It’s just a good community event,” Rambacher said. “Good food, good servers.”

For Donna Callicoat and friend Jo Rowe, coming to the pancake breakfast has been a tradition for the past 10 years.

“I just enjoy seeing everybody and enjoy the pancakes,” Callicoat said. “You get to see everyone when you come.”

“It’s good food and good friendships and conversations and all that. You get to see people you haven’t seen in a while,” Rowe added.