The Erie County Fair was recognized internationally with seven first place awards in a recent competition sponsored by International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE). A total of 25 awards were received. The Erie County Fair competed in a divisional class that consisted of fairs with attendance of over one million, which puts the Erie County Fair in the same class as many of the largest state fairs. The Erie County Fair won awards in the following categories:

 

 

AGRICULTURAL AWARDS

1^st Place – Innovative Ways To Use Technology (QR Codes in Urban Farming)

1^st Place – Agriculture Education Photo

2^nd Place – Non-fair related agriculture event (Adult Ag-Education programs)

2^nd Place – Livestock

2^nd Place – Agricultural program area beautification (Urban Farming Trail)

 

 

HALL OF HONOR COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS

1^st Place – Overall Marketing Campaign

1^st Place – Website

1^st Place – Marketing/Promotional Display Piece (Erie County Fair Beer)

1^st Place – Promotional Advertising Poster

2^nd Place – Newspaper Ad: Black & White

2^nd Place – Electronic Newsletter

2^nd Place – Web Advertisement

3^rd Place – Single Brochure/Flyer

3^rd Place – Use of Technology (Fair Day Live television show)

3^rd Place – Promotional Event (New Food Showdown Celebrity Judging)

 

 

COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS AWARDS

1^st Place – Off Season Non-Animal Contest (Hay Bale Throwing Competition)

2^nd Place – Display Method or Prop (Divider Wall Made of Pallets Used)

2^nd Place – Single Photo of a Display

2^nd Place – Display Photo Series

3^rd Place – Single Photo of a General Display, Non-Animals

3^rd Place – New Single Class of Non-Animal Competitive Exhibits

3^rd Place – General Display Photo Series

 

 

INNOVATION IN SPONSORSHIP AWARD

3^rd Place – Sponsorship Innovation (General Welding/WNY Snow Gauge)

3^rd Place – First Time Sponsorship (Lake Shore Savings Bank/Charging Stations)

3^rd Place – Sponsorship Continuity (Made In America/Daily Flag Retreat Ceremony)

 

 

The awards were presented at the IAFE Convention in San Antonio, Texas that was held November 25-28, 2018. Over 2,500 fairs, festivals, expositions and suppliers in the United States and internationally, are members of IAFE.

 

The Erie County Fair was recognized internationally with the “Best Overall Marketing Campaign” award at the 127th Annual Convention of International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) held in San Antonio, Texas. This is the first time in the Fair’s 179 year history that it has won the top marketing award in North America.

 

 

The Fair received the award for its 2018 advertising campaign titled, “Best 12 Days of Summer.” The judged campaign included all advertising elements including poster graphics, brochures, outdoor, television, radio, print display advertising, digital media, use of social media, website, merchandise and related promotional materials. The Erie County Fair competed in “Division 5” of the IAFE’s Hall of Honor Communication Awards which represents fairs with attendance of one million or more.

 

 

“The primary goal of the “Best 12 Days of Summer” campaign was to equate the Erie County Fair with all that’s good about summer in Western New York State,” said Jessica Underberg, Fair CEO. “ Not only is the Fair “The Best 12 Days of Summer,” but the strategy communicated that the “best” food, entertainment, animals, rides and family fun could be found at the Erie County Fair.”

 

 

In addition to the “Best Overall Marketing Campaign” recognition, the Erie County Fair’s marketing team received three “1^st place” awards for excellence in “Best Promotional/Advertising Poster,” “Best Website,” and “Best Marketing Promotional Display or Piece.” The “Best Marketing Promotional Display or Piece” was won for the Fair’s Erie County Fair Beer project that was brewed and bottled locally by Flying Bison Brewery and sold through Try-It Distributing.

 

 

The Erie County Fair partnered with Buffalo’s Wynne Creative Group, a nationally recognized marketing and branding firm, to develop the 2018 campaign. Wynne Creative Group has served the Erie County Fair since 2003. Wynne Creative Group specializes in design, brand development and advertising. Website design and support was provided by Saffire.

 

 

About the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE)

 

Based in Springfield, Mo., the IAFE is a nonprofit corporation, serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions. Its associate members include state and provincial associations of fairs, non-agricultural expositions and festivals, associations, corporations, and individuals engaged in providing products and services to its members, all of whom are interested in the improvement of fairs, shows, expositions, and allied fields. The IAFE was founded in 1885 with a half dozen fairs as members. Today, over 2,500 fairs, festivals, expositions and suppliers in the United States and internationally, are members of IAFE.

 

About Wynne Creative Group

 

A nationally recognized firm headquartered in downtown Buffalo, NY. Founded in 2002, the group specializes in design, advertising, publications and brand development. The firm provides communication and marketing solutions to local, national and global businesses. Their industry experience includes hospitality, financial services, food and beverage, medical services and not-for-profits. (www.wynnecreative.com)

 

About the Erie County Fair

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The 2019 Erie County Fair is scheduled for August 7^th -18^th. (www.ECFair.org).

 

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society has announced a revised gate admission structure. Under the plan that will go into effect during the 180^th Erie County Fair in 2019, full-price, adult gate admission will increase from $10 to $12.  The revised admission cost is the first gate increase for the Erie County Fair in a decade. The official announcement was made during the Society’s annual membership meeting held Wednesday at the Fairgrounds Event Center.

 

Changes to gate admission will also be reflected in the Fair’s senior admission price as well as “early bird” and “student” pricing. The Fair’s advance sale program, which takes place prior to opening day, will see prices remain the same in 2019 with adult admission $7 and a senior ticket priced at $5. All children 12 and under will continue to be admitted for free.

 

“Our board evaluates our gate prices annually and has not increased gate admission since 2009. Moving forward, these adjustments will greatly help the Erie County Fair better serve fairgoers due to increasing labor costs as well as the rising prices for public safety, emergency services, grounds infrastructure, fair production and entertainment,” said Fair CEO & Manager Jessica Underberg. “During the 10 years since our last restructuring, we found opportunities to provide incredible value to our loyal fairgoers through free grounds entertainment, education and safety and attractive grounds. The increase to our full price gate admission ticket will allow the Society to continue to provide fairgoers with an exceptional Fair experience which has come to symbolize the ‘Best 12 Days of Summer’ in Western New York.”

 

The following is a summary of 2019 gate admission restructuring:

 

 

 

Opening Day admission to the Fair on Wednesday, August 7^th will be free for those patrons who donate two cans of food to benefit the Food Bank of WNY. The Fair will also provide free admission to firefighters and auxiliary members on Firefighters Day (August 9^th) and for veterans, active military and auxiliary members on Veterans Day (August 11^th).  For a limited time, fairgoers can also purchase 12-day pass to the Fair (one admission each day of the Fair) for $35.

 

 

About the Erie County Fair

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The 180^th Erie County Fair is scheduled for August 7^th -18^th, 2019. (www.ECFair.org).

 

Seven Western New York companies competed to build structures made entirely out of canned goods during the 2018 Fairgrounds Festival of Lights Canstruction® Competition. Employees from Praxair, Ferguson Electric, Hamburg Gaming, Wendel, Hale Expo Services, Trautman Associates and National Fuel took part with all food used benefiting the Food Bank of Western New York. Teams had a total of 12 hours to build displays. 2018 category winners are:

 

Structural Integrity – Wendel (Bring Home the Celery!)

Best Meal – Wendel (Bring Home the Celery!)

Best Use of Labels – Hamburg Gaming (Christmas Trees)

Most Original Design – Wendel (Bring Home the Celery!)

Most Cans Used – Ferguson Electric (Buffalo Skyline with a total of 14,113 cans, 250 boxes of cereal & 62 bags of rice

 

 

The Competition’s “People’s Choice” award will be determined at the close of the Festival on Sunday, December 23rd. Until then, patrons can vote for their favorite Canstruction® by making coin donations to the Food Bank.

 

 

Judges included Robert Brunner, Erie County Agricultural Society; Paula Mercurio, CFO Food Bank of Western New York; Martha Buyer, Member of Food Bank of Western New York, Advisory Council; Brian Burd, Buffalo Bills, Director of Training Center Operations; Ron Plant, WGRZ.

 

 

Wendel’s design, winner of three awards,  was based on the Buffalo Bisons’ iconic “Wing, Cheese & Carrot Race” at Coca-Cola Field. The sculpture featured fan favorite Celery Stalk comes out of retirement for one more showdown against his old foes the Atomic Wing and Bleu Cheese.

 

 

The Canstruction® Competition is part of this year’s Fairgrounds Festival of Lights currently taking place at the Erie County Fairgrounds. Now in its final days, the Festival runs daily through Sunday, December 23^rd. The Festival is open from 5:00pm-9:00pm, with the buildings and grounds staying open until 10:00pm. The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS). www.FairgroundsHoliday.com.

 

 

 

 

 

This Friday, November 23^rd, the switch will be flipped on to illuminate more than one million lights as the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights opens its 14^th season. This time-honored, Western New York holiday tradition takes place at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg.

 

 

This year, the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights will be open for nineteen days, with opening day coming on the Friday after Thanksgiving and running every weekend through December 16^th with an expanded schedule December 19^th through the 23^rd. The Festival is open from 5:00pm-9:00pm, with the buildings and grounds staying open until 10:00pm.

 

 

Admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights includes a wide array of activities and holiday fun that includes six decorated buildings, live family entertainment, craft making and vendors. Highlights include:

 

 

Kandy Kane’s Holiday Magic Show – Buffalo-native John Kennedy Kane performs during the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights as the legendary elf, “Kandy Kane.” More than just a magic show, Kane’s dynamic sharp wit and self-deprecating humor will entertain both children and adults alike during each half-hour performance. Showtimes: Fridays 6:30p & 8:30p; Saturdays 6:30p, 8p & 9:15p;  Sundays 6:30p & 8p.

 

Canstruction® Competition & Display – Beginning the weekend of December 7^th, local companies will compete to build structures made entirely out of canned goods. Employees from Praxair, Wendel, Hale Expo Services, National Fuel, Trautman Associates, Ferguson Electric and Hamburg Gaming  will showcase their designs December 7^th-23^rd. All canned goods used will benefit the Food Bank of Western New York.

 

Rudolph’s Holiday Fun Zone  – This interactive children’s area features the “The Night You Save Christmas” digital game and the “Find Frosty” giant I-Spy.

 

The Polar Stop  – Located inside the NYS Police Building, this railroad themed display will include toy train layouts provided by local model railroad clubs. Other activities include the Tops Winterland Workshop where kids can make a one-of-a-kind craft to bring home. Families can design a holiday card for veterans and troops as well as visit the Drive Safe Forest sponsored by WNY United. On Sundays only, the Polar Stop will feature “Story Time with the Conductor” at 7:30p.

 

Frosty’s 3D Adventure – A 3,000 square feet walk through maze that takes people through a day with Frosty; best viewed with the complimentary, patented 3D chromadepth glasses for the ultimate 3D effect.

 

North Pole Experience featuring Santa Claus – Guests are transported to the North Pole as they make their way through displays including a toy shop, elf village, and the arctic. The height of the experience comes when guests stand face to face with Santa’s house, where the Big Guy himself will be meeting guests on the front porch. Families are encouraged to bring their own cameras to capture a lasting memory of the holidays. At 10,000 square feet, it ranks as the largest Santa display in the region.

 

Santa’s Magical Midway – Features an array of kiddie rides from the days of yesteryear. Each nostalgic ride has been fully reconditioned to bring back their original grandeur. $2 per ride or Santa’s Super Saver $20 for 12 rides. Kiddie rides will be located inside the Grange Building for the entire run of the Festival! Larger rides will be included inside the Event Center beginning December 8^th.

 

Upstate Farms Express – Climb aboard this fun sized train for a short ride up and down 42^nd Street.  The train will leave from the 42^nd Street Train Depot throughout the night.

 

NEW! Santa’s Reindeer – Live reindeer return to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights. Antler Ridge Farms of Hamburg will be showcasing a number of their prized North American Reindeer  each Sunday of the Festival inside Rudolph’s Holiday Fun Zone (Sundays ONLY)

 

 

Admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is $25 per carload at the gate. The carload admission includes all aspects of the Festival. Festival goers can save 40% on gate admission with the purchase of a $15 advance sale carload voucher at all Tops Friendly Markets until November 22^nd. The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS). For more information regarding the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights visit www.FairgroundsHoliday.com.

 

 

 

Visitors to the annual Fairgrounds Festival of Lights can save 40% on gate admission with the purchase of a $15 advance sale carload voucher at all Tops Friendly Markets. The discount voucher promotion begins November 1^st and ends on Thanksgiving Day, November 22^nd and can be purchased at any checkout register. After November 23^rd, standard gate admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is $25 per carload. Carload admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights includes a wide array of activities and holiday fun that includes six decorated buildings, live family entertainment, craft making and vendors.

 

 

This year marks the 14^th year for what has become a time-honored holiday tradition in Western New York. The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg will be open for seventeen nights, with opening night on the Friday after Thanksgiving and will run every weekend through December 16^th with an expanded schedule December 19th through the 23rd. The Festival is open from 5:00pm-9:00pm, with the buildings and grounds staying open until 10:00pm.

 

 

The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS). For more information regarding the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights visit www.FairgroundsHoliday.com.

 

 

Tuesday, September 18^th has officially been designated as “National Birth of the Burger Day” by the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York.  The day commemorates the legend of the invention of the hamburger sandwich that took place during the 1885 Erie County Fair by Frank and Charles Menches of Canton, Ohio.

 

 

Why September 18^th? Until the early 1920s, the Erie County Fair was held mid to late September or as late as early October to celebrate the agricultural harvest. The 1885 Erie County Fair, the event that saw the invention of the hamburger sandwich, was held September 16th-18th, 1885.

 

“Birth of the Hamburger in Hamburg” Canton, Ohio natives Frank and Charles Menches were food vendors at the 1885 Erie County Fair, also known as the Hamburg Fair. Legend has it that during the course of the Fair, the Menches ran out of their signature menu item of pork sausage sandwiches. Their local supplier, Hamburg butcher Andrew Klein, was reluctant to butcher more hogs during a period of unseasonable late summer heat and suggested to substitute the use of ground beef.  The brothers fired some up, but both found it dry and bland. They added coffee, brown sugar and other ingredients to create a unique taste. The original sandwiches were sold with just ketchup and sliced onions. With new found success with their beef sandwich, they christened it the “hamburger” sandwich after the Erie County Fair’s home town of Hamburg, New York.

 

Relishing in the Menches Success! There have been other claims made about the origin of the hamburger sandwich. As concessionaire traveled from one fair to another, it was common to emulate the success of other vendors and share “best practices.” As a result, they would make claims of their own as the “burger” made regional debuts:

 

 

• October 1885 – After learning about the Menches success, fair concessionaire Charlie Nagreen claimed to have sold a meatball between two slices of bread at the Outagamie County Fair in Seymour, Wisconsin.
• Late 1880s – Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas claimed to have invented the hamburger. According to oral histories he opened a lunch counter and served a ‘burger’ of fried ground beef patties with mustard and Bermuda onion between two slices of bread, with a pickle on the side. Davis later went on to sell the burger at the 1904 World’s Fair.
• 1891 – Otto Kuase said he invented the hamburger in 1891 after he cooked a beef patty in butter and topped with a fried egg.
• 1900 – Louis Lassen of Louis’ Lunch, a small lunch wagon in New Haven, Connecticut, is said to have sold the first hamburger and steak sandwich in the U.S. in 1900, 15 years after the Menches Bros.

 

 

Why the Erie County Fair Menches Hamburger Story “Cuts the Mustard”

 

 

• The Menches Brothers 1885 claim is the oldest “birth of the burger” sandwich story in the United States.
• No other invention story can stake a claim to why their sandwich is called a “hamburger,” our story can!
• Descendants of the Menches Brothers have an original, handwritten burger recipe.
• The Menches family is still in the burger business today. No other claim still has an operating restaurant serving the original recipe.
• In the 1920s, carnival historian John C. Kunzog interviewed Frank Menches about his experience at the Erie County Fair. His detailed hamburger story was published in the 1970 book, “Tanbark & Tinsel.”
• Successful entrepreneurs, the Menches not only claim hamburger history, but are also credited for pioneering the production of ice cream cones and creating “Gee-Whiz,” a caramel coated peanut and popcorn snack now known as Cracker Jacks.
• The National Hamburger Festival is held annually in the Menches home town of Akron, Ohio. Restaurants from across the United States gather to pay homage to good ol’ Frank & Charles Menches.
• Founded in 1985 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Menches Brothers invention, The Village of Hamburg hosts the annual BurgerFest and is one of the biggest annual events in the region.
• The invention of the hamburger story is featured in an exhibit inside the Erie County Fair’s Heritage & History Center Museum. The display includes a child’s sized burger concession stand that allows kids to “serve up” play hamburgers.
• News outlets around the globe including the BBC to Japanese national television have told the Erie County Fair story over the decades. The 1885 Burger Store, a restaurant in Taipei City, Taiwan, China, honors the Erie County Fair legend.

 

 

About the Erie County Fair

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The Fair celebrated 150 years in Hamburg in 2018. (www.ECFair.org)

Hamburg chefs celebrate the “Birth of the Burger” on Monday, September 17, 2018 – Alex Manley, Master’s Barbecue Company; Damon Ayer, Mason’s  Grille 52; Tom Casey, Juicy Burger Bar, Brian Waters, Hamburg Gaming;  Jimmy Butera, Butera’s; Scott Donhauser, Craft & Cork Gastropub

 

The “Best 12 Days of Summer” in Western New York State concluded Sunday night with a final 2018 attendance of 1,198,789.  This is a .46% increase from 2017 and is the second highest attended Fair in the Erie County Fair’s history (All-time record achieved in 2014 – 1,220,101).

 

“New entertainment including the “Cyrk Live!” circus under the big top tent, interactive exhibits such as the I-HUB focusing around STEM academics, a great grandstand line up coupled with WNY’s best food, animals and rides, created the perfect atmosphere for a GREAT fair,” said Jessica Underberg, Fair Manager and CEO. “Closing out each night by bringing back an old tradition of nightly fireworks to celebrate the Erie County Fair, calling Hamburg, New York home for the past 150 years was the icing on the cake”.

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society would like to thank Western New York for its continued support of the Erie County Fair.

 

About the Erie County Fair

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York.  The 180^th Erie County Fair will take place August 7-18, 2019. (www.ECFair.org).

 

By the time the gates close on the 179^th Erie County Fair in Hamburg tomorrow  an attempt to complete the ‘World’s Largest Wooden Bowl” will have been accomplished putting both the Erie County Fair and Woodworkers Clubhouse in the record books.

 

The goal of breaking the record for the world’s largest wooden turned bowl began 12-days ago. The current record for a “turned bowl” was set in 2005 at Gurtis, Austria. It measured 13 feet in diameter and had a measurement of 40.5 feet base to rim.

 

To break the record, the Erie County Fair bowl needed to measure 15 feet in diameter.  The bowl is made up of over 724 individual segments glued up to form the turning blank that is over 4-feet deep.  Skilled woodworkers have been turning the bowl daily in view of fairgoers. Here are a few of the record breaking statistics:

 

• Bowl measures 15feet in diameter
• Base to rim measurement: 51 feet
• There were 2097 cuts made to prepare the individual segments for the bowl
• 25 gallons of special epoxy was used to glue the segments together.
• Wood species: red oak & spruce
• Bowl circumference 47 feet

 

The project is the brainchild of Joe Gelsomino owner of Woodworkers Clubhouse in West Seneca. When asked about what happens to the bowl once the record is established on Sunday, Gelsomino said jokingly, “There’s interest by the Buffalo Bills to purchase the bowl…so at least they could claim another “super” bowl!”

 

Following the Fair, the bowl will stay in Hamburg for display during the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights in December.

 

About Woodworkers’ Clubhouse

The Woodworkers’ Clubhouse is a fully equipped professional grade membership woodshop open to the general public. We offer classes for all woodworking experience levels from the beginner to an established woodworker and our supply store offers the finest in hardwood lumber.

 

About the Erie County Fair

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The 2019 Erie County Fair is scheduled for August 7^th -18^th. (www.ECFair.org).

 

 

One month from today, the Erie County Fair will celebrate the invention of the hamburger sandwich!

 

Tuesday, September 18^th has officially been designated as “National Birth of the Burger Day” by the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York.  The day commemorates the invention of the hamburger sandwich that took place during the 1885 Erie County Fair by Frank and Charles Menches of Canton, Ohio.

 

Why September 18^th? Until the early 1920s, the Erie County Fair was held mid to late September or as late as early October to celebrate the agricultural harvest. The 1885 Erie County Fair, the event that saw the invention of the hamburger, was held September 16th-18th, 1885.

 

“Birth of the Hamburger in Hamburg” Canton, Ohio natives Frank and Charles Menches were food vendors at the 1885 Erie County Fair, also known as the Hamburg Fair. Legend has it that during the course of the Fair, the Menches ran out of their signature menu item of pork sausage sandwiches. Their local supplier, Hamburg butcher Andrew Klein, was reluctant to butcher more hogs during a period of unseasonable late summer heat and suggested to substitute the use of ground beef.  The brothers fired some up, but both found it dry and bland. They added coffee, brown sugar and other ingredients to create a unique taste. The original sandwiches were sold with just ketchup and sliced onions. With new found success with their beef sandwich, they christened it the “hamburger” after the Erie County Fair’s home town of Hamburg, New York.

 

 

Relishing in the Menches Success! There have been other claims made about the origin of the hamburger. As concessionaire traveled from one fair to another, it was common to emulate the success of other vendors and share “best practices.” As a result, they would make claims of their own as the “burger” made regional debuts:

 

• October 1885 – After learning about the Menches success, fair concessionaire Charlie Nagreen claimed to have sold a meatball between two slices of bread at the Outagamie County Fair in Seymour, Wisconsin.
• Late 1880s – Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas claimed to have invented the hamburger. According to oral histories he opened a lunch counter and served a ‘burger’ of fried ground beef patties with mustard and Bermuda onion between two slices of bread, with a pickle on the side. Davis later went on to sell the burger at the 1904 World’s Fair.
• 1891 – Otto Kuase said he invented the hamburger in 1891 after he cooked a beef patty in butter and topped with a fried egg.
• 1900 – Louis Lassen of Louis’ Lunch, a small lunch wagon in New Haven, Connecticut, is said to have sold the first hamburger and steak sandwich in the U.S. in 1900, 15 years after the Menches Bros.

 

 

Why the Erie County Fair Menches Hamburger Story “Cuts the Mustard”

 

• The Menches Brothers 1885 claim is the oldest “birth of the burger” story in the United States.
• No other invention story can stake a claim to why their sandwich is called a “hamburger,” our story can!
• Descendants of the Menches Brothers have an original, handwritten burger recipe.
• The Menches family is still in the burger business today. No other claim still has an operating restaurant serving the original recipe.
• In the 1920s, carnival historian John C. Kunzog interviewed Frank Menches about his experience at the Erie County Fair. His detailed hamburger story was published in the 1970 book, “Tanbark & Tinsel.”
• Successful entrepreneurs, the Menches not only claim hamburger history, but are also credited for pioneering the production of ice cream cones and creating “Gee-Whiz,” a caramel coated peanut and popcorn snack now known as Cracker Jacks.
• The National Hamburger Festival is held annually in the Menches home town of Akron, Ohio. Restaurants from across the United States gather to pay homage to good ol’ Frank & Charles Menches.
• Founded in 1985 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Menches Brothers invention, The Village of Hamburg hosts the annual BurgerFest and is one of the biggest annual events in the region.
• The invention of the hamburger story is featured in an exhibit inside the Erie County Fair’s Heritage & History Center Museum. The display includes a child’s sized burger concession stand that allows kids to “serve up” play hamburgers.
• News outlets around the globe including the BBC to Japanese national television have told the Erie County Fair story over the decades. The 1885 Burger Store, a restaurant in Taipei City, Taiwan, China, honors the Erie County Fair legend.

 

About the Erie County Fair

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the Society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York State. The Fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York. The Fair is celebrating 150 years in Hamburg in 2018. (www.ECFair.org)

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