There is no comfort food better than a delicious cheesy hamburger and a heap of crispy fries!
The term hamburger is originally derived from Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city. In High German, Burg means “fortified settlement” or “fortified refuge” and is a widespread component of place names. Hamburger in German is the demonym of Hamburg, similar to frankfurter and wiener, names for other meat-based foods and demonyms of the cities of Frankfurt and Vienna (Wien), respectively.
Though there are multiple conflicting claims from Texas, Wisconsin and New York among other American states, in addition to Hamburg, Germany, as to where the the dish was actually created, the love for burgers is universal. So set aside all that history for a moment and check out these festivals celebrating the delicious hamburger.
1. National Hamburger Festival
Courtesy : examiner.com
The National Hamburger Festival celebratesΒ the invention of the hamburger. Back in 1885,Β Frank and Charles Menches of Akron, Ohio wereΒ working as travelling concessionaires. Their travelsΒ took them to the Erie County Fair in Western NewΒ York, where the brothers came up with the ideaΒ to put some ground beef between twoΒ pieces of bread. Since then, everyΒ year, hamburger aficionados converge onΒ Akron, Ohio for a real buffet.Β Each yearΒ over 20,000 hamburger fans have enjoyedΒ family fun, great entertainment and oneΒ of the largest assortments of hamburgersΒ ever assembled in one place.
2. Taste Of Hamburger Festival
Courtesy : readingeagle.com
The Hamburger Festival takes place in Hamburg, PA, situated in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. In 2014. the Hamburg-er Festival drew over 35,000 people from all over the east coast. The festival features both professional and amateur burger eating competitions. On top of that, attendees canΒ expect over 30 hamburger stands, 5 stages of non-stop musical entertainment, numerous contests, childrenβs activities, local art and handmade crafts, and lots of other fun too, They can also quench their thirst after eating all those burgers by heading to the Beer and Wine Patty-O or the Budweiser & Burgers Beer Garden.
3. Burgerfest
Courtesy : townnews.com
Burgerfest is an amazing volunteer-run festival that raises funds for scholarships and community projects in the Home of the Hamburger, Seymour, Wisconsin. It draws people from around the world for small town fun with a big attitude.Β Burgerfest started in 1989 to celebrate the birth of the burger in Seymour in 1885. The historical figure,Β Hamburger Charlie, invented theΒ hamburger way back then and Americans bit on the hamburger craze.Β Downtown Seymour hosts the World’s Largest Hamburger Parade, Bun Run, Kids’ Run, music, kids’ games, the Thickburger Eating Contest and the Krazy Ketchup Slide! The festival also includes aΒ Car Show and trips to the Railroad Depot and Community Museum along with liveΒ music.
4. Uncle Fletch Festival
Courtesy : 2.bp.blogspot.com
Athens, Texas is the Official Home of the Hamburger. Uncle Fletch Davis invented the Hamburger and shared his invention at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. The Texas Legislature has proclaimed Athens as the Official Home of the Hamburger. Over the years, Athens has hosted an Uncle Fletch Hamburger Festival to the delight of folks locally and from around the World.Β Uncle Fletch will also be partnering with Extreme Engineering toΒ bring their mobile zipline to the Hamburger Festival.
5. Roscoe Village Burger Fest
Courtesy : rockitburgerbar.com
Chicago’s finest burger emporiums and restaurants fire up their grills at theΒ Roscoe Village Burger Fest.Β In addition to mouth-watering patties and great music on two stages, there’s also a popular “Kids’ Zone” activity area as well arts & craft vendors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Chicago burger.
6. Best Memphis Burger Fest
Courtesy : fdncms.com
Best Memphis Burger Fest is an annual fundraiser for Memphis Paws, Inc., a charity committed to responsible pet ownership and raising money for rescue and animal care organizations around Memphis. Proceeds raised from admission, sales, cooking team entry fees, sponsorships, etc. benefit Memphis Paws, Inc. charities they help.Β Teams compete throughout the day in Veggie Burger, Best Memphis Burger and Specialty Burger categories. They may also elect to compete for Best Bloody Mary. Other competitions at Burger Fest include pickle eating for kids, a world class slider eating race for daring adults and a corn hole tournament sponsored by Jose Cuervo.Β Burger Fest also features live music all day, activities for kids, pet adoptions and food trucks.