Big Boy is a Sponsor of the First National Hamburger Festival in Akron, Ohio

Big Boy is a Sponsor of the First National Hamburger Festival in Akron, Ohio

Who REALLY Invented the Hamburger? Find Out at the Hamburger Hearings 'Trial of the Century'

WARREN, Mich., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- When you're THE original double- decker hamburger, it's just a matter of time before someone recognizes your worth and asks you to help judge the "Hamburger Hearings." The Big Boy costumed character will indeed be a judge at the "Hamburger Hearings" during the first ever National Hamburger Festival this Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13 in downtown Akron's Canal Park. Akron lays claim to being the home of the hamburger, however, several other cities also maintain they created the hamburger and Big Boy will be among the jurors to hopefully settle the score of what could be the "Food Trial of the Century." The "Hamburger Hearings" take place Saturday, August 12, at 3 p.m. in Canal Park.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060518/DETH013http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060627/DETU005LOGO-b )

Participation in this event is part of the 70th anniversary of Big Boy Restaurants International, headquartered in Warren, Michigan. "Our founder, Bob Wian, invented the very first double-decker hamburger 70 years ago, so we feel it's very fitting that we are involved in helping resolve this good- natured debate," said Tony Michaels, CEO of Big Boy Restaurants International LLC.

"This is probably the best place to stage a national tribute since Akron is the 'home' of the hamburger," said Mayor Don Plusquellic. "The Menches family has long laid claim to the invention of the hamburger, and we plan to support them." The Menches family claims their ancestors, Frank and Charles Menches, two brothers who lived and worked in Akron, invented the hamburger at the New York State Fair in 1885.

Seymour, Wisconsin says it was Charlie Nagreen who invented the sandwich in their town that year. New Haven, Connecticut insists it was Louis Lasser who "flipped" the first burger in 1900. Or, was it Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas who did it first in 1904? Each of them will make their case during the "Hamburger Hearings," while their hometown delegations cheer them on.

Akron Children's Hospital will benefit from revenue raised from the festival and will also provide volunteers who will work during the event. Monies raised will go to the Campaign for Kids, the largest fund-raising initiative in the hospital's history with a $100 million goal for hospital endowment, equipment, and programs.

In addition to the "Hamburger Hearings," there will be other fun events to entertain thousands of burger fans -- like the Ohio Hamburger Eating Championship of which Big Boy Restaurants is the official sponsor and will provide Super Big Boy double-decker hamburgers for contestants to have at it!

The festival will feature up to 20 local and national restaurants serving their hamburger specialties to thousands of festival attendees. Over 50 different styles will be served in sample sizes with additional summer dishes and Akron Food Favorites available. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $5.00 per person. Children 7 years old and younger are free. Food and beverages will be sold separately.

Participating restaurants include Big Boy, Barley House, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Hodges Cafe, Louie's, Main Street Saloon, Menches Brothers, Park Avenue Grille, Skyway, Steel Trolly Diner, Sportsterz, and Horizon Burgers.

The festival will also offer live music, including Pirate Dreams -- the ultimate tribute to Jimmy Buffett. There will also be children's activities in the Kids Zone and contests galore: the "Bobbing for Burgers" contest, the Miss Hamburger Festival contest, and a Best Burger challenge for both amateurs and competing restaurants. Additional information including a schedule of events is available at http://www.hamburgerfestival.com/ .

Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Big Boy Restaurants International LLC is the exclusive worldwide franchiser of more than 455 Big Boy restaurants in the United States and Japan. Visit us at http://www.bigboy.com/ .

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060518/DETH013
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060627/DETU005LOGO-b
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Big Boy Restaurants International LLC

CONTACT: Drew Cerza, Festival Founder of National Hamburger Festival,
+1-716-479-6545; or Nikki Grandberry, +1-248-269-4356, ngrandberry@smz.com ,
for Big Boy Restaurants International LLC

Web site: http://www.bigboy.com/
http://www.hamburgerfestival.com/

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