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Beds, Buns, and Burgers are a hit at Burgerfest

Contributed by: Buffalo.com/YourHub Lizz Schumer on 7/21/2008

The Menches Brothers ran out of pork sandwiches at their Erie County Fair stand one busy day in 1885, and improvised with ground beef, coffee grinds, and brown sugar. They slapped their creation on a bun, and the rest is history. Fast forward to today, and the Burgerfest in Hamburg was created to pay tribute to the great American sandwich and the town where it was born.

Thanks to the hard work of over 200 volunteers dedicated to keeping this tradition alive, Burgerfest, the "taste of Hamburg," took place on Saturday, July 19 on Main Street in the village of Hamburg. Neither blistering heat nor the subsequent showers deterred the crowds of families and residents who turned out for arts and crafts, classic car show, bed race, concerts, and of course, the inimitable fare of Hamburg restauranteurs.

Despite the ongoing roadway improvement project that has closed major roadways and caused traffic congestion recently, Burgerfest attendance did not suffer. Everyone from families with children, adults out for a beer and a burger, and teens looking for a change from the typical dinner and a movie battled the heat and parking problems for this annual summer event.

"I think the construction has actually helped us a little bit," said Gary Allen, one of the event's organizers. "The new roundabouts make it easier for people to get around, and we definitely haven't seen any decrease in attendance. We had to downsize last year because of Main Street being closed, but this year we have the craft show all the way down Main, food, the stage, and a kids' area in the municipal parking lot, and the classic car show, bigger than ever, at the end of Main. It's better than ever."

Burgerfest centered around the tastes of Hamburg, with almost twenty vendors selling everything from ice cream to stuffed peppers, to hot dogs and burgers, and classic festival fare.

"The Kiwanis Club of Hamburg was judging the food, prizes included best burger, best-decorated booth, best dessert, and more," said Allen. "That's why most people show up here anyway: for the food."

Burger-lovers were certainly not disappointed. Imagine Hamburg, a group of volunteers dedicated to improving the look and life around town were selling "the original Menches Burger," shipped from Menches Bros. restaurant in Ohio. Dan Rosati, an Imagine Hamburg volunteer stood in front of the stand with an empty box, shouting to passersby to "Come on folks, taste the real burger in the place where it all began!" He explained that the burgers are special because they contain coffee grounds and brown sugar, two ingredients modern burgers often omit. He was quick to point out that for vegetarians or non-beef enthusiasts, they also offered a vegetarian burger.

"The food is definitely my favorite part," said Gail Gallineau, a Hamburg resident. "But I also love coming for the people, seeing friends you haven't seen since last year."

Adele Flanagan, 21, also of Hamburg, agreed. "It's better than last year," she said. "And I'll bet it just keeps getting better and better. Can't beat a festival that's just a couple of blocks away!"

Whether festival-goers came from down the street to grab a burger and a balloon or stayed for the now-traditional politicians, banks, and local businesses racing beds on wheels down Main Street, or the classic car show, rock wall, arts and crafts, and kids' area, no one was disappointed.

"People in Hamburg just love Burgerfest," said Robin Ferris. "And this was the best year yet."

The Menchen brothers may have just been trying to keep their stand open until closing time that hot summer's day in 1885, but their hamburger turned into a national culinary icon. As long as the hamburger remains an American picnic fare favorite, Burgerfest has years to live. From the looks of it, this food-centered festival will be around for at least a hundred more.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Buffalo.com/YourHub Lizz Schumer has posted 10 stories and 0 comments since joining on 5/3/2008. Buffalo.com/YourHub Lizz Schumer's average story rating is 5.
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