The Erie County Agricultural Society has announced that Weidner’s BBQ will be returning to the 179th Erie County Fair after a devastating fire destroyed its long-time location on the Fairgrounds last year. One of the Fair’s heritage concessionaires, Weidner’s BBQ, has been an Erie County Fair tradition for 62 years.
During the evening of Saturday, August 19, 2017 a fire destroyed the six decade old home of Weidner’s BBQ which was located behind the Buffalo.com Grandstand. Weidner’s new location will be situated on the Avenue of Flags near the Conservation Building. As the Fairgrounds has continued to evolve to accommodate a growing schedule of agricultural shows and events, the Fair took the opportunity to relocate Weidner’s BBQ away from the show barns. The new location will provide a larger, park-like setting for increased dining capacity.
“We are excited to welcome the Gerber Family and Weidner’s BBQ back to the Fair for their 62nd year,” said Jessica Underberg, Fair CEO. “For many, it would not be the same Fair without a chicken dinner from Weidner’s. We wish them continued success as they open their new Fair location in August.”
“We are extremely happy to be coming back to the Fair,” said Weidner’s Ryan Gerber. “Many of our employees only work during the Fair so for me it’s like a friends and family reunion for two weeks.”
In 1956, Eden-based chicken farmer Bert Weidner, his wife and his two brothers Jerry and Fran set up a small stand at the Erie County Fair and began serving BBQ chicken. They slow cooked fresh chicken over an open flame that was basted with their own special recipe BBQ sauce until it was cooked to perfection- tender and juicy on the inside, crispy and golden brown on the outside. The family eventually expanded its menu to include grilled steak and ribs. In the 1990s, Charlie Gerber and his wife, Mary Weidner, took over operations to continue the family tradition.
“The Fair is something, as a family, we look forward to each year,” said Weidner’s owner Charlie Gerber. “I believe our loyal customers think the same.”
In addition to BBQ chicken and ribs, Weidner’s will again be featuring the “1885 Burger” at its new Fair location. The burger celebrates the invention of the “hamburger sandwich” by the Menches Brothers of Ohio at the 1885 Erie County Fair.
