
An Ocean Beach community fundraising tradition is returning to the pier with butter and syrup on top. The Ocean Beach Pier Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 17 from 7:30 a.m. to noon. “It’s the one day out of the year you can have breakfast over the water on the pier,” said event chairman Pete Ehmcke. “They don’t [usually get to] have breakfast out there sitting on the pier.” Pancakes will be complemented with a full toppings bar, eggs, sausage, fruit and drinks. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 8. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ocean Beach Holiday Parade and Christmas Toy and Food Drive, which is put together by the Ocean Beach Town Council and Ocean Beach MainStreet Association. “The event kicks off a series of fundraisers that culminate in the Christmas Food and Toy Drive that benefits less fortunate families in the region,” Ehmcke said. “We deliver a week’s worth of food and age-appropriate wrapped toys for almost 90 to 100 families and the battered women’s shelter.” The breakfast includes a raffle that includes prizes like hotel stays and passes to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. Singer/songwriter Rob Mehl — a highly popular musician who is reportedly in the process of trying to market one of his newest songs to country superstar Kenny Chesney — will provide the tunes as breakfast buffs put away the pancakes. “It’s not just pancakes,” Ehmcke said. “It’s a fairly squared-away meal and basically a lot of fun.” An estimated 650 people are expected to attend this breakfast that usually sells out. Those still interested in attending can purchase tickets by e-mailing Ehmcke at [email protected] or calling (619) 222-5974. Tickets will be left at will call, located near the front of the pier.