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Sunday, 27 June 2010 19:02

Akron invites the nation to come back for the Fifth Annual National Hamburger Festival. After drawing more than 25,000 people in 2009, the fun, food and friendly competition is at Lock 3 Park on Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18, complete with live music and quirky burger-themed games, including "Bobbing for Burgers".

The festival supports the Akron Children's Hospital. Festival hours are Saturday, July 17 from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday, July 18 from noon to 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $5 per person. Admission is free for children under 48 inches tall. Food and beverages will be sold separately.

Fueled by controversy among four different cities over whom invented the hamburger, a 45-minute mock trial, coined the "Hamburger Hearings," was held the first year of the festival and resulted in a hung jury. A subsequent online vote named Seymour, Wisconsin, as the hamburger's home. Still, the hunger for chargrilled glory pervades far beyond the inventors' rivalry.

Restaurants will vie for bragging rights in five different categories of the National Burger Cook-Off as twenty eateries will serve more than 50 different varieties of burgers.  The competitive spirit will continue with the Miss Hamburger Pageant, the Baby Burger Contest and the Ohio Burger Cook-Off for backyard grillers.

Things will really get cooking as three goggle-adorned enthusiasts go "Bobbing for Burgers," a hit from 2009 in which burger fans seek foam hamburger patties in a kiddy pool filled with ketchup.

The Ohio Hamburger Eating Championship will also be held again. Last year's winner, Akron competitive eating legend David "Coondog" O'Karma, will return for a third year to defend his title and challenge all eaters to a hamburger eat-off.The festival will feature live music all weekend. On Saturday afternoon guitarist Jon Mosey will entertain the festival crowd from 2 -4 p.m. followed by a tribute to Carlos Santana by Evil Ways.

In addition to the more than 50 different hamburger varieties from 18 eateries, there will be other Akron-favorite foods, with the restaurants set up on Main Street adjacent to Lock 3 Park. Kids will have plenty to do, as well, with inflatable rides and even a Kid Zone that will include arts and crafts.Balloon artist and magician Dennis Regling will be back to dazzle the crowd with his balloon artistry.