Author: Erie County Fair

 

For generations, the annual arrival of the James E. Strates Shows train has been a highly anticipated occasion for fairgoers and enthusiasts of Americana. The movement of the colorful freight train filled with wagons and amusement rides into the Village of Hamburg is a signal that opening day of the Erie County Fair is just a week away.

 

On Wednesday, July 31^st the Fair Train will arrive at the historic Erie Railroad Depot in Hamburg as the Strates Shows begins its 95^th season with the Erie County Fair. The depot is located at the corner of Union and Scott Streets (4 Scott Street). The train will arrive between 11:30a and Noon.

 

The train will begin the final leg of its journey to Hamburg using Buffalo Southern Railroad track. As the train arrives at the depot it will be greeted by the Erie County Fair Marching Band, Fair Bear, and Erie County Fair officials.

 

Prior to the train’s arrival, the public may receive a free, limited edition commemorative “Train Day 2019” button and a bag of Poppin’ Bob kettle corn (while supplies last).

 

The exclusive relationship between the Erie County Fair and the Strates Shows is considered a historical milestone in the modern amusement industry as it is considered the longest continuous run of any carnival midway in the United States.

 

To commemorate “Train Day 2019,” the United States Postal Service will feature a specially designed cancellation mark and two stamps that were recently issued on the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Post Office will be on site at the Hamburg Depot from 10a-2p selling these stamps as well as cancelling mail using an Erie County Fair Train Depot postmark (while supplies last).

 

 

 

The 2019 Erie County Fair Sire Stakes Races will take place at the historic “Hamburg Oval” on Wednesday, July 10^th at 1pm. This event is free and open to the public. The New York Sire Stakes promote the breeding, buying, and racing of Standardbred horses in New York State, and are administered by the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.

 

 

The Erie County Fair Race is part of a series of non-pari-mutuel betting harness races hosted at county fairs across New York State. The races are open to eligible two and three-year-old New York Standardbreds and are separated into nine divisions based on age and gait. The start of the race is considered the first official event of the 180^th Erie County Fair that opens its gates on Wednesday, August 7^th.

 

 

Harness racing at the Erie County Fair is a tradition that dates back to the 1850s when the Fair was held at various racetracks across the County. Racing at the “Hamburg Oval” pre-dates the Erie County Fair’s move to its current location at the Hamburg Fairgrounds as the site was originally home to the Hamburg Driving Grounds.

 

 

Are you or someone you know deserving of the title of the greatest “Fair Fan” in Western New York? The Erie County Fair is now accepting nominations for someone to be named the 2019 Ultimate Fairgoer.

 

Established in 2005, the Erie County Fair’s Ultimate Fairgoer honor is bestowed each year on an individual who lives and breathes the Erie County Fair all year long. The chosen candidate is not only passionate and enthusiastic about the Fair but actively promotes and shares their love with family, friends and the community.

 

Nomination forms are currently available on the Fair’s website, https://bit.ly/2XiFzjv and must be submitted by Thursday, July 25^th. Nominations must include a short essay as to why the candidate, above everyone else, deserves the title of “Ultimate Fairgoer.” Past winning nominations have included photos, references, news clippings or collateral materials that provide further background. Management and staff of the Erie County Agricultural Society and/or the Erie County Fair are not eligible.

 

The 2019 Erie County Fair Ultimate Fairgoer will be officially announced during a ceremony outside of the Fair’s McKinley Gate on Opening Day, Wednesday August 7^th at 11:30am.

 

Past honorees are:

2005 – Barbara Brader, Hamburg

2006 – Sue Montgomery, Hamburg

2007 – Terry Nowatka, Colden

2008 – Father Ray Donohue, Fredonia

2009 – Marion Wittmeyer, Lawtons

2010 – Paulette Smith, Hinsdale

2011 – Helene Edie, Hamburg

2012 – Tim Beasor, Pompano Beach

2013 – Marty Brownsey, West Seneca

2014 – Sandy Kristka, Hamburg

2015 – Mary Ellen Bossert, Hamburg

2016 – Jimmy Barrett, Bel Air, MD

2017 – Mary Roberts, Hamburg

2018 – Judy Wilder, Hamburg

 

 

Starting Monday, July 1^st fairgoers will be able to save money preparing for the BEST 12 Days of Summer! Tops Friendly Markets has teamed up with the Erie County Fair to offer discounts off gate admission.  Savings are over 40% off the cost at the gate (2019 full price admission is $12 adults, $9 seniors). The discount sale cost is $7 per adult and $5 per senior (60+). You can purchase vouchers from checkout cashiers at any participating Tops Friendly Markets locations now through Tuesday August 6th and redeem them at any Fair gate upon arrival (valid everyday).

 

Fairgoers can also save on all the classic carnival fun on the famous James E. Strates Shows Midway during Weekday One Price Ride Days on Aug 7^th-9^th and August 12^th-16^th.  Vouchers can be purchased in advance for just $25 (save $5) until August 6^th. New this year is the return of the famous Sky Wheel (double Ferris Wheel) to celebrate the 95^th anniversary of the Strates Shows at the Erie County Fair. See a complete list of rides and height requirements at www.ECFair.org.

 

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 be held August 7^th – 18^th, 2019. (www.ECFair.org).

 

The 180^th Erie County Fair will honor veterans and active military during its daily flag retreat ceremony at Slade Park. Now in its second year, this patriotic tradition will begin on Wednesday, August 7^th at 6:30p and continuing each evening during the 12-day run of the Fair.

 

“We are asking fairgoers to pause and reflect on our great nation and to remember the men & women for their service, sacrifice and dedication to protecting our country,” said Jessica Underberg, Erie County Fair CEO. “We feel this is a wonderful way to extend the mission of our Veterans Day committee to span the entire Fair.”

 

During each 8-10 minute ceremony, participating fairgoers will be asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance. As a lone bugler sounds retreat, an American flag will be lowered and folded by an honorary color guard from a local VFW, Amvets or Legion post. The flag, which was flown during that day at the Fair, will be presented to a veteran and/or an active member of the military who will be the “Flag Retreat Honoree of the Day.” The Erie County Fair Marching Band will perform the “Star Spangled Banner,” a chorus of “God Bless America” and the “United States Armed Forces Medley.” Made In America Stores will be donating “made in the USA” flags to be used in the daily presentation.

 

“For Americans, there’s no higher honor than to serve our nation’s military,” said Mark Andol, founder and owner of Made In America Stores. “As Americans, there’s no greater privilege than to say thank you. We are proud to support, what we hope, will be a new tradition at the Fair.”

 

To nominate a veteran or active member of the military to be named “Flag Retreat Honoree of the Day,” the public is being asked to complete a nomination form available at any Made in America Store location or at the Fair’s Main Office. Those chosen must be available to attend one of the Flag Retreat Ceremonies between August 7^th-18^th at 6:30p. They will receive a full-sized American flag, (4) fair admission passes, a parking pass, a Strates Shows midway card and $20 in meal tickets. Deadline for name submissions is July 26^th.

 

The Erie County Fair Flag Retreat Ceremony is sponsored by Made In America Stores.

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society will again offer children between the ages of 11-14 the opportunity to work first-hand with veterinarians and animals. The Erie County Fair Vet Camp, a half day education immersion experience, will take place on Tuesday, August 13^th and Thursday, August 15^th. Sessions will focus on a variety of learning disciplines that include:

 

Pet Wellness & First Aid: Children will learn about general pet welfare and what to do in an emergency situation.  Participants will gain an understanding on what to look for when a pet is not feeling well and what should be included in a home pet first aid kit.

 

Dairy Cow Health: Attendees will be exposed to what it takes to be a Farm Animal Veterinarian through activities like how to administer medication, the reading of vitals (heart rate, temperature, respiratory) and how to check for healthy rumen sounds.

 

Small Ruminant Farm Animals:  Sessions will gain knowledge on how to approach and handle sheep and goats, check for healthy digestion, respiratory and proper nutrition. Children will also have the chance to work one on one with an animal.

 

The program is limited to three sessions that will accommodate 30 children each.  Registration is now open and will be available on a first come first serve basis. The cost for participation is $10 per child. Each participant will receive a Vet Camp t-shirt, lunch and will take home a vet supplies goodie bag. Applicants must be between the ages of 11-14 by January 1, 2019 with proper documentation (copy of birth certificate). Applications are now online at www.ecfair.org and must be postmarked by June 21^st to be eligible for consideration. Questions may be directed to the Fair’s Agriculture Education Office at (716)649-3900 ext. 6499 or by emailing Education Coordinator Amber Klein at aklein@ecfair.org.

 

The 2019 Erie County Fair Vet Camp program is sponsored by Medaille College and the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society.

 

The Erie County Agricultural Society is proud to present the 19^th Annual Western New York Hog & Lamb Preview Classic. The show is scheduled to take place inside the Agriculture Discovery Center at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, New York May 31^st to June 2^nd. Over $6,000 in cash awards and premiums will be presented during this New York Livestock Circuit approved show.

 

This is a National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) recommended show that is open to exhibitors of all ages. The show’s goal is to provide a competition experience prior to showing at local county and/or state fairs this summer. The schedule for the weekend includes:

 

Friday, May 31^st, 1p – Youth Livestock Judging Event

Friday, May 31^st. 5p – Junior Skill-A-Thon

Saturday, June 1^st, 8a – Hog & Lamb Shows #1

Saturday, June 1^st, 2p – Goat Show

Sunday, June 2^nd, 8a – Hog & Lamb Shows #2

 

The hog shows will be judged by Mr. Greg Krahn of Westfield, IN and Mr. Quest Newberry of Bryan, TX. Judging the lambs will be Mr. Cooper Bounds of Thorntown, IN and Mr. Denton Lowe of Amber, OK.  Mr. Lowe will also be judging the goat competition.

 

For more information visit www.the-fairgrounds.com and click on “Livestock/ Equine Events.” You can also call the Fairgrounds at (716) 649-3900. The Western New York Hog & Lamb Preview Classic is sponsored by the Erie County Agricultural Society.

 

Today (May 28^th) is “National Hamburger Day,” a day of great importance to Western New York and the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York. It was at the 1885 Erie County Fair that the hamburger sandwich was invented by Frank and Charles Menches of Canton, Ohio.

 

“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.

 

National Birth of the Burger Day (September 18^th)

 

In addition to “National Hamburger Day” on May 28, Western New York also annually celebrates “National Birth of the Burger Day” on 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.

 

 

Plan to host a company picnic, organization outing, family reunion or children’s birthday party at the Fair. The Erie County Agricultural Society is pleased to announce that reservations are now being accepted for its picnic shelter program during the 2019 Erie County Fair, August 7 to 18, 2019. Shelter reservations are on a first come, first served basis.

 

Shelters are located at Hickory Tree Park just steps from the Fair’s midway, entertainment, livestock barns, games and shopping. This tranquil Fairgrounds setting can accommodate 25 to 1,000 guests. Each shelter reservation includes tables/chairs, electricity, option for discount gate admissions and ride packages.  Guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages but the use of glass containers, alcohol, grills and outside caterers is prohibited.  Patrons wishing to have their party catered may use one of our three Fair vendors that include BW’s BBQ, Chiavetta’s Catering or Weidner’s BBQ.

 

For more information, including rental rates and ticket packages, visit https://bit.ly/2V5xhz6 or contact the Fair’s Liz Collins at (716) 649-3900 x6206. Reservation and payment must be completed by Wednesday July, 24^th.

 

Do you have a child that can sing, dance or play an instrument? Do they have a special talent just waiting to be discovered? If that’s the case, the Erie County Fair is looking to see who’s got talent! Applications are now being accepted for the region’s largest talent competition scheduled to take place Friday, August 9^th on the Tops Friendly Markets Avenue of Flag Stage.

 

Youth are encouraged to participate in one of two divisions. The “mini” division is geared towards 12 & under while the “maxi” division highlights performers 13 & over. Winners of the Erie County Fair Talent Show are eligible to compete in the New York State Fair Talent Show in Syracuse.

 

There is no entry fee to compete and all contestants will receive free admission into the Erie County Fair. Rules, guidelines and applications are available at:  https://bit.ly/2WXAP3B. Deadline for submissions are Friday, July 26^th.