We love Pancakes on the Plaza in Santa Fe.

Curious? Well, here’s the scoop. And if you haven’t been, put it on your calendar right now!

Ah, the 4th of July. I am thrilled that our founding fathers chose summertime to adopt the Declaration of Independence. Every season in Santa Fe is perfect in it’s own way, but there’s nothing like a summer morning on the Santa Fe Plaza.

This 4th of July, consider having breakfast with thousands of your closest Santa Fe friends. 2023 will mark the 46th time we’ve all gotten together for Pancakes on the Plaza (okay – this will be my 12th year, with a few absences due to a pandemic and a couple of lake trips), and you should be there with us.

Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Santa Fe with help from First National Santa Fe, this is one of my favorite local Santa Fe events.

Here’s some language straight from Santafe.com, which is the absolute best place online to get the scoop on everything Santa Fe:

What is Pancakes on the Plaza?

One of Santa Fe’s most favorite annual events, Pancakes on the Plaza regularly draws an enthusiastic pedestrian crowd of approximately 20,000, raising around $500,000 for area youth organizations. Both locals and tourists alike tuck into a delicious, hot-off-the-griddle breakfast to start their day, then stick around for everything from silent auctions, kids contests, arts and crafts booths, to live music and vintage cars, all on the historic Plaza.

Though records suggest the very first specialty car show in Santa Fe took place more than 100 years ago, it is the Santa Fe Vintage Car Club has been carrying on the tradition since the 1980s. Here you will find not only vintage cars dating back as far as the 1920s, but “fancy” cars, as well. Lining up along Lincoln Avenue, 120 slots are designated for this event, and all vehicles are required to stay in place until 1 p.m. Trophies are awarded at 12:30 p.m.

Who Benefits from Pancakes on the Plaza?

Through the support of sponsors and volunteers, over the years the Rotary Club of Santa Fe’s Pancakes on the Plaza has benefited numerous local family-oriented nonprofits by awarding more than $750,000. In celebration of its centennial year, the Rotary Club of Santa Fe is partnering with the Santa Fe Children’s Museum and ¡YouthWorks! as recipients of two major grants totalling $500,000.

For $7  in advance or $8 at the event, we get to gather, eat, listen to great music, smile, look at classic cars, laugh, buy local arts and crafts, and see friends we haven’t seen in months. . .it’s  heck of a bargain. And the portions are generous.

If pancakes aren’t enough of a draw, there’s more. Here’s another bit of info from Santafe.com:

Pancakes on the Plaza Schedule of Events

• From 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., it’s all about the pancakes, as griddles sizzle and mouths are stuffed with the best breakfast in town.
• The Santa Fe Vintage Car Club Show along Lincoln Avenue runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The juried Arts and Crafts Show along Palace and Lincoln Avenues runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Children’s activities begin at 8 a.m. and wrap up at noon.
• The Silent Auction supporting Santa Fe Rotary Club’s Centennial Partners runs from 8 a.m. to noon.
• Entertainment at the Gazebo runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you’re new to town and want to meet Santa Feans, this is an amazing opportunity. Folks who work this event have been doing so for years. You’ll get quickly acquainted with a lot of people who care about their community, and you’ll have fun. You might want to practice your pancake flipping techniques – there’s frequently a show going on behind those griddles! Here’s a link to volunteering.

You know you love the 4th of July. Create a new tradition by joining us from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Santa Fe Plaza for Pancakes on the Plaza.

Tickets are $12 each or $40 for a family pack of four. It’s a great cause and some great food. See you there!