The Redmond Fire Department (RFD) will host a free pancake breakfast for the community during this year’s Derby Days Festival on July 14 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The breakfast, featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet will be at Redmond Fire Station 11, 8450 161st Ave. N.E. Breakfast will be served by firefighters and include pancakes, sausages, eggs, orange juice and coffee.

Although the breakfast is free, donations will be accepted with proceeds going to the RFD’s Benevolent Fund, which benefits people in the local community, especially those facing personal tragedy.

“This breakfast is a great way for residents to get to know their local firefighters and help out those in need,” said firefighter Paul Richards, one of the event’s organizers. “The kids always have a great time exploring the fire trucks and having a picture taken in a real firefighter’s helmet and jacket.”

There will also be a silent auction, with proceedings also going to the Benevolent Fund. The auction has more than 100 items ranging from a three-night stay at a Wyndham resort anywhere in the world, a whale-watching tour and golf at Bear Creek Country Club to Husky football tickets, a Nintendo Wii, dinners, massages, wine and more.

Parking is available in the City Hall parking garage, three blocks northwest of the station.

Aside from the breakfast and silent auction, kids can tour the department’s various fire apparatus, try their hand at squirting water on a mock fire and pose for photos in fire gear.

For more information, call (425) 556-2200 or email prichards@redmond.gov.