News : VFD Fire Prevention Breakfast tradition continues

Hayden Phippen waits for mom Danielle to cut her pancakes and the VFD breakfast on Sunday.

Violet Staab enjoys pancakes during the annual VFD breakfast.

Alexander Torres was one of several children who received a plastic VFD helmet at the breakfast.

Coloring contest entries were on display.

For as long as anyone in the Vinton area can remember, the Vinton Fire Department has held a pancake breakfast during Fire Prevention Week.

"We did it all 38 years I was on the fire department," said former fireman Bob LaGrange, who retired from the VFD 20 years ago.

Hundreds of people lined up for pancakes, eggs, etc., cooked by firefighters.

Along with the meal, there was a merchandise table where souvenirs of the 2013 Iowa Firefighter's Association Convention were available for purchase. A display of the entries in the Fire Prevention Week Coloring Contest also offers a look at the artistic ability of local youngsters. Many children left wearing plastic firefighter's helmets.