In search of the perfect burger, Bill Mancuso from Myerstown and a crowd of people like him packed the streets of downtown Hamburg for the 13th annual Taste of Hamburg-er Festival, hosted by Our Town Foundation on Saturday, Sept. 3.
“I’ve been wanting to come here a long time,” said Mancuso, who passes Hamburg often on his way to Allentown. “I’ve heard about this festival and I love hamburgers. I like a really good hamburger and I think if you’re not going to find it here, you’re not going to find it anywhere.”
The aroma of burgers being grilled over flames filled the town, enticing hungry patrons to the various burger stands and other food stands, including fried cheese, as well as ice cream and cotton candy.
“I’m pleasantly surprised how big this whole thing is,” said Mancuso. “I’m seeing everything, music, other items for sale. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a good way to spend a Saturday over Labor Day Weekend.”
Did he find the perfect hamburger?
“I’m still looking for it,” said Mancuso. “I know I’ll find it before I’m done though.”
Contests and awards abound at the Taste of Hamburg-er Festival.
Bob “Notorious B.O.B.” Shoudt, 49, Royersford, won first place in the Professional Hamburger Eating Contest, eating 10 1/2 burgers. The Amateur Hamburger Eating Contest’s 1st place team was Three Brothers.
Mike Berger, Leesport, won first in the Mooing Contest.
Deitsch Eck Restaurant, Lenhartsville, won first place People’s Choice Award for their burger.
Dawn’s Deli, Lenhartsville, won Overall Best Burger for Restaurant Best Burger.
Smokin’ Bull Shack, Bethlehem, won Overall Best Burger for Mobile Food Trailer Best Burger.
Christ Evangelical Free Church, Bethel, won Overall Best Burger for Organization Best Burger.
There was much to see and do at the festival, including live entertainment, beer and wine garden, cow decorating contest, children’s activities and a free play at Hamburg Strand.
“The festival brings lots of people to the theater and to the town,” said Stephanie Adam, coordinator for the Hamburg Strand which is run by OTF.
Adam said they were promoting the arts with a free play “The Bear Prince” presented by the Berks Children’s Opera. They also raised funds for the Strand through the Smooch a Pooch program for which two golden retrievers gave out kisses for a dollar. Save Our Strand t-shirts were also for sale.
“My favorite part (of the festival) is the hamburger eating contest,” said Adam. “I went early this morning. I had a hamburger at 10:30 this morning just so I could get one before the lines got long.”
Vendors and booths were intermingled with the food stands.
Tilden Township artists Jay and Martha Ressler displayed their art at the festival.
“It’s a big crowd that comes to Hamburg, enjoying food and sun. It’s a little slow for the art business but it’s a fun day,” said Jay.
Lois Shornock, a Tilden Township pen and ink artist, helped the Our Town Foundation at the raffle booth for the Hamburg Area Arts Alliance, for which people had the chance to win one of five items created by Hamburg Arts Alliance members. Items being raffled were Black Beaded Necklace by Ann Barbon, “Chippy the Chipmunk” books by Kathy Miller, Country Kitchen Earthenware by Jen Painter, “Baldwin #2” print by Allen Mdeira, “Sunflowers” painting by June Faber, “Mormon Row Barn” photograph by Michael O’Toole, Jr. and Red Cedar Bowl by Scott Bamford.
Shornock said that because the artists donated the items to the raffle, all proceeds go back to the Arts Alliance, a non-profit organization.
“It goes back into our Gallery, the community and being able to do stuff like this,” she said.
She likes hearing vintage music being performed live at the festival. Live entertainment could be heard throughout the festival that intermingled food vendors and craft vendors.
“I love everything (about the Taste of Hamburg-er Festival). I love the people,” said Shornock. “I like the mixing of the age groups. I like that every generation is represented and they’re usually all together. I just find that wonderful.”
The Hamburg-er Festival is touted to be a family-friendly event that includes children’s games and activities.
Being a holiday weekend, Shornock said it’s particularly important for families to spend time together.
“It always comes down to family and just enjoying life, it’s so short,” she said. “Everybody’s smiling. It’s a day to put some of the heavier stuff away.”
