ARLINGTON — Cool, cloudy weather didn’t keep Arlington residents from coming out to take part in an Fourth of July tradition.

Families and friends turned out in droves to take part in the annual pancake breakfast hosted by the Snohomish County Fire District at the riverfront Haller Park. Milling amongst the crowd was the occasional spandexed diner awaiting the start of the Pedal Paddle Puff triathlon, but the overwhelming majority of participants came out to meet neighbors and choose between strawberry pancakes or pancakes and eggs.

As fire chief, Lon Langdon oversaw the operation and estimated his staff served up about 1,000 breakfasts this year. Involved in the event every year since it began 23 years ago, Langdon said the breakfast has evolved from a fundraiser to more of a community service.

“We don’t go after donations. We just go out and buy everything,” he said, adding that the fire department usually breaks even on the event.

Putting on the pancake breakfast requires a great deal of planning. This year, the fire district prepared by stocking up on 135 dozen eggs, 150 pounds of sausage links, 260 pounds of pancake mix, 12 gallons of maple syrup and 120 pounds of strawberries.