Gaston Rural Fire District

It takes generations to serve and eat all the flapjacks at the annual Gaston Fire Pancake Breakfast.

It takes several generations of the Hoodenpyls, for example. Jerry's hard at work behind the grill with son Randy and daughter Dion. Chip and Galen are hustling around, greeting guests, bussing tables and re-filling coffee urns. Chip's parents, Ron and Corky, are there on their 56th wedding anniversary, a night after being honored as grand marshals of the Good Ol' Days Parade.

Another table holds the family of the late John Begert, who served Gaston Fire for 50 years, including a stint as Chief. His widow Marilyn is there, working to raise awareness for organ donations. Daughters Sandy Goans and Lynnette Smith are there, too. So is granddaughter Angela Goans and her 3-year-old son, Austin, who says he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. No surprise there.

In fact, at nearly every table you see has generations of Gaston-area families, from infants to great-grandparents, coming together to have fun before the annual Wapato Showdown.

No one has more fun than the firefighters themselves, who get a chance to show off the station, mingle with neighbors and say "Thank you" to the community for its support.

The proceeds from the breakfast go to the Volunteer Firefighter Association. The Association includes generations of Hoodenpyls, Hedins and others. Someday soon, perhaps it will include little Austin Goans.

Maybe, just maybe, it will include members of your family, too. If you're interested, click here for an application.

Click here to see more photos of the parade and Pancake Breakfast.