Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE

Sing-alongs, first dates and marriage proposals may hold special meaning to many people, but if any of these experiences have happened at IHOP, a year's supply of free pancakes might be in order.

The national pancake chain kicked off a contest Monday called "It Happens at IHOP," which encourages people to send in stories of their personal IHOP experiences online.

Entries will be accepted through May 31 and should be 250 words or less.

The contest is being held to commemorate IHOP's 50th birthday, company spokeswoman Jennifer Pendergrass said.

"We're looking for stories of guests who have enjoyed IHOP over the last 50 years," she said. "We're looking for fun stories. Whether they're wacky, sentimental or just something fun that they've done and celebrated at IHOP, we want to hear about them."

According to an IHOP news release, some of the most famous examples come from Eva Longoria and husband Tony Parker, who had their first date over IHOP pancakes, and Arizona Diamondback Brandon Webb, who claims to have eaten at the restaurant before every home game of his winning season.

One of Windthorst senior Nicholas Schreiber's favorite memories as an IHOP employee happened when the entire restaurant broke out in song.

On that night, Schreiber said he overheard a table of people who were trying to convince one of the girls to do something, although he was unsure what it was.

"She persistently objected to the dare, yet her friends continued with it, agreeing that it would work," he said.

As the group was leaving, Schreiber said, the girl who was dared turned around, faced the non-smoking section and yelled at the top of her lungs, "The stars at night are big and bright."

"The entire- and I do believe entire is a good word here- restaurant returned her chant with (CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP) 'Deep in the Heart of Texas,'" he said. "It turns out the lady was visiting from out of state."

According to the contest Web site, the grand prize winner will receive free pancakes for life- one free short stack of buttermilk pancakes per week for 20 years-as well as round trip airfare for two to the IHOP 50th birthday celebration in New York City on July 7.

Five runners-up will each receive $100 IHOP gift cards.

Although the winners will not be announced until June, Pendergrass said the stories submitted for the contest may be used for publicity materials, as is stated in the full contest rules.

"There may be some stories that we find particularly unique and fun that we put on the Web site," she said.

Entry forms can be found on the IHOP Web site, www.ihop.com.

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