Rep. Carlos Gonzalez named chair of World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast

State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez poses wearing his World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast Honorary Chair jacket, while MGM Springfield President Louis Theros and Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni applaud.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen

SPRINGFIELD — On a recent morning, the Bellagio Ballroom at MGM Springfield was filled with representatives of organizations and businesses that support the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast.

They gathered to bestow the title of 2026 honorary chair on State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez.

The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is hosted by the Spirit of Springfield. This year marks the event’s 40th anniversary. Several past honorary chairs were present at the ceremony, including Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni (2021), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame President John Doleva (2024) and Springfield Fire Commissioner B. J. Calvi (2025).

Gonzalez said, “I am deeply humbled.” Referring to the past honorary chairs, he said, “French, Italian, Polish and now Latino.” He said, “Y’all better get ready to do some salsa,” and joked that he had to live up to Mayor Domenic Sarno’s nickname for him: Salsa Economics.” He explained that the nickname came from a time when he compared the ingredients for economic prosperity to the variety of spices that go into making salsa. He said Springfield was also made exceptional by the different people and cultures that live in the city.

Gonzalez said what makes the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast special is the “third, fourth, fifth generations,” of families that have made it tradition over its 40-year history. Gonzalez said he was looking forward to bringing his grandchildren to the event.

Gulluni and MGM Springfield President Louis Theros presented Gonzalez with the embroidered blue-and-white jacket worn by the honorary chair.

During the ceremony, Spirit of Springfield Board Chair John Sjoberg joked, “Carlos has long brought home the bacon from Boston and this year, he’s going to cook the bacon.”

This year, the World’s Largest Pancake breakfast will take place on Saturday, May 16, from 8 to 11 a.m. At tables stretching the length of Main Street, from State Street to Bridge Street, thousands of people will eat pancakes, bacon, miniature muffins, coffee, juice and milk. Attendees can help themselves to a plate of entertainment and activities along with their pancakes.

Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt said, “What people remember is not the food. It’s the feeling.”

Sarno said, “This pancake breakfast brings the beautiful mosaic of Springfield downtown.” While “urban centers get knocked,” he said the breakfast highlighted the city’s generosity.

MGM Springfield is the event’s largest sponsor, but All States Materials, GoNetSpeed and Monson Savings Bank also sponsor the event. Dozens of businesses and agencies donate products and services, including AM Lithography, American Medical Response, Baystate Health, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Cabot Creamery, Costco, Elegant Affairs, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Home Grown Springfield (Sodexo), Mansfield Paper Company, MassMutual Center, Mercy Medical Center, MGM Springfield, Quality Beverage, Republic Services, Sheraton Springfield, Smithfield Foods, Springfield Business Improvement District, Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, Springfield DPW, Springfield Fire Department, Springfield Parking Authority, Springfield Police Department and Yellowstone Landscape.

Volunteers set up, sell tickets, cook and serve food, and clean up after the event.

After Gonzalez accepted the honor, Ashley Kohl, owner of Ohana School of Performing Arts, shared with the crowd that there would be a flash mob at the event performing to John Mellencamp’s “R.O.C.K. in The U.S.A.”

For more information about the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, visit spiritofspringfield.org.