Liberal ? Sign-ups get underway next weekend in southwest Kansas for an annual trans-Atlantic pancake race.

The High Plains Daily Leader reports that the 66th International Pancake Day is Feb. 17, and racers of all ages may begin signing up Jan. 24 at the Liberal Recreation Center. Sign-ups will continue through Feb. 6.

Shrove Tuesday is traditionally the last day before the start of the 40 days of Lent before Easter. According to legend, an Olney, England, race started in 1445 when a harried housewife arrived at church on Shrove Tuesday still clutching her frying pan with a pancake in it. Liberal challenged Olney in 1950 after seeing photos of the race in a magazine.