The Grinch’s heart grew three sizes Saturday as over a thousand Salem Whos lined up to meet him and enjoy a plate of his green pancakes.  The fourth annual Pancakes with the Grinch was held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 6 inside Columbia Hall at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. It was put on by Bri dges Oregon, a nonprofit that provides services and advocacy for deaf and hard of hearing Oregonians.  Children played with purple “Bridges Oregon” balloons while waiting in line for a stack of green pancakes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) The event was an inclusive space for all, staffed by volunteer Spanish and American Sign Language interpreters. Other volunteers also used sign language, including the elves who entertained guests as they waited and the servers who dished up green pancakes with syrup and butter. Volunteers serve pancakes with syrup to patient guests. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) The line for the all-you-can-eat pancakes wrapped the interior walls of the building as hundreds at a time waited for a plate. While some waited for food, others lined up to meet and take photos with the Grinch – who, like the elves, used sign language.  A volunteer elf communicates with a young boy in American Sign Language. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) At 10 a.m., Oregon Sen. Janeen Sollman took to the Grinch’s throne to read from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss. Oregon Rep. Kevin Mannix and Salem City Councilors Shane Matthews and Irvin Brown were also present.  Over 1,300 people attended this year, which is about 600 more than last year. Oregon Sen. Janeen Sollman reads “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss to a group of children. An interpreter signed the story to the audience as she read. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Jace, 1, eyes his pancakes while being held by his grandmother, Teresa Chamberlain. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A volunteer pours syrup onto a guest’s stack of green pancakes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) People enter Columbia Hall bright an early to get their pancakes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Lyla Mendez, 5, puts together a beaded bracelet before eating her breakfast. Volunteers passed out sachets of bracelet-making materials during the event. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) People finally reach the end of the line to get a plate of pancakes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A young boy watches the “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” movie on a laptop connected to a projector. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A stuffed dog in a Santa hat keeps a girl company as she eats her green pancakes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) From left: Oregon Sen. Janeen Sollman, Oregon Rep. Kevin Mannix and Salem City Councilors Shane Matthews and Irvin Brown have a discussion after Sollman’s reading of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A volunteer pours a helping of syrup on 6-year-old Melody Peake’s pancakes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) An excited young girl holds the first spot in line to meet the Grinch while Oregon Sen. Janeen Sollman reads from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Regular and gluten free pancakes were served at the Pancakes with the Grinch event. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Roman Snegirev, 2, held by his dad, Avrami, is dressed as up as the Grinch to get a helping of green pancakes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A festively-dressed volunteer pours syrup on a guest’s pancakes. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A guest’s stack of just-prepared pancakes are ready to eat. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A volunteer elf communicates in American Sign Language with another volunteer. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A young girl plays with Kevin, a large 3-year-old Great Dane. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Dakota Reeder, 4, eats her green pancake. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) A volunteer elf communicates with a guest in American Sign Language. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter) Have a news tip? Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] . A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE – If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE. The post PHOTOS: The Grinch makes nice with Salem Whos during green pancake breakfast appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less