Frank and Charles Menches, vendors who traveled the World's Fair route and who have been credited with also creating Cracker Jacks and the ice cream cone, concocted the hamburger - arguably America's favorite sandwich. Descendants of the Menches brothers of Ohio, who are in the restaurant industry three generations later, have traveled to Hamburg to participate in several BurgerFest celebrations over the years.
 
Legend has it that the Menches brothers ran out of their usual pork sausage that hot, fateful day at the fair and turned to a local butcher to replenish their supplies. When no pork was available, a butcher suggested they use ground beef. The Menches brothers purchased the beef, but added secret ingredients, including coffee grounds to create a unique flavor and the hamburger was born. According to historical records, the burger got its name when a customer asked what this wonderful sandwich was called and one of the brothers looked up and, seeing the Hamburg Fairgrounds sign, said, "Why, it is The Hamburger."

BurgerFest, traditionally held on the third Saturday in July, is a one-day annual outdoor community event with food, music and entertainment. It’s held on Main & Buffalo streets in the village of Hamburg, New York. It is run by the BurgerFest Committee, which is comprised of community volunteers. Proceeds from the event benefit the local community.

The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce held the first BurgerFest in 1985 on the 100th anniversary of the creation of the first hamburger at the Hamburg Fairgrounds, site of the Erie County Fair. The Chamber had discovered a publication that reported the story of how the hamburger got its name - from Hamburg, New York, where the first hamburger was cooked and served as a sandwich - and they felt this was a good basis for a community event. BurgerFest 1985 was a great success with games, food, a beer tent and a street dance, and it became an annual event.