Chubby Menard Pancake Day Returns to Batesville Thursday, October 22, With $6 Breakfast and a Unique History
The annual Chubby Menard Pancake Day returns to Batesville this Thursday, October 22, 2026, offering residents an opportunity to enjoy a pancake meal while supporting the community through the Batesville Kiwanis Club.
The event will take place from 7 AM until 2 PM at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, located at 615 East Main Street in Batesville.
Tickets are $6 per person, and carryout meals will be available for those who cannot stay and eat.
The longtime community fundraiser brings together residents, businesses, and Kiwanis Club members for a day of food, fellowship, and support for local youth.
But behind the familiar name Chubby Menard Pancake Day is an unusual piece of Batesville history involving a live pig and an inventive way to increase attendance at Kiwanis meetings.
Chubby Menard Pancake Day Set for October 22 in Batesville
The Batesville Kiwanis Club invites residents throughout Independence County and surrounding communities to participate in the annual pancake fundraiser.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 7 AM until 2 PM at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
Tickets cost $6, making the event an affordable opportunity to enjoy a meal while supporting community service efforts.
Carryout will also be available, allowing workers, families, and others with busy schedules to participate.
The annual event is part of the Batesville Kiwanis Club’s longstanding tradition of serving the community, particularly through activities benefiting children and young people.
Who Was Chubby Menard? The Story Behind the Pancake Day Name
The fundraiser honors W. B. “Chubby” Menard, a longtime Batesville businessman and former president of the Batesville Kiwanis Club.
According to the club’s historical records, Menard was elected president in 1939 and introduced a creative idea to encourage attendance at Kiwanis meetings.
His solution involved a live pig.
The unusual attendance program required the Kiwanis group within the division reporting the lowest monthly attendance to take responsibility for caring for the pig during the following month.
As the pig continued growing, the responsibility became increasingly difficult.
Club members quickly discovered that attending meetings was easier than caring for a growing pig.
According to the Kiwanis Club’s historical account, attendance increased as members tried to avoid becoming responsible for the animal.
At the end of the year, the pig was butchered, and the meat was donated to a children’s home in Morrilton, Arkansas.
What began as a creative attendance incentive became a memorable part of the organization’s history.
Today, the Chubby Menard name continues to be associated with community service and the annual pancake fundraiser in Batesville.
Batesville Kiwanis Club Has Served the Community Since 1928
The Batesville Kiwanis Club has a long history of civic involvement in Independence County.
The organization was officially chartered on April 16, 1928, with the Kiwanis Club of Searcy serving as its sponsoring organization.
The club began with 36 charter members and a mission of improving the quality of life for residents through community involvement and service.
Despite challenges during the Great Depression, the organization continued growing and supporting local initiatives.
Menard’s leadership in 1939 became one of the more memorable chapters in the club’s history.
Over the decades, the organization has remained involved in projects and fundraisers supporting children, education, and community improvement.
The annual pancake event provides another opportunity for residents to participate in that tradition.
Community Invited to Support Local Youth Programs and Scholarships
The annual Chubby Menard Pancake Day is more than a breakfast or lunch gathering.
It provides an opportunity for the Batesville community to support the Kiwanis Club’s charitable work, including its tradition of assisting youth programs and educational opportunities.
Residents can participate by purchasing a $6 ticket, enjoying a meal, and helping continue a community tradition.
Organizers are offering both dine-in and carryout service.
Whether stopping by before work, during lunch, or with family and friends, community members are encouraged to take part in this annual Batesville event.
Chubby Menard Pancake Day Event Details
EVENT: Chubby Menard Pancake Day
DATE: Thursday, October 22, 2026
TIME: 7 AM–2 PM
LOCATION: First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
ADDRESS: 615 East Main Street, Batesville, Arkansas
TICKETS: $6 per person
CARRYOUT: Available
ORGANIZATION: Batesville Kiwanis Club
PURPOSE: Community fundraising supporting the club’s service efforts and tradition of helping local youth
The public is invited to attend and help continue one of Batesville’s longstanding community traditions.
For more information about the Batesville Kiwanis Club and its history, visit www.batesvillekiwanis.org.
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