America 250 Celebration Ignites with Inaugural “Red, White & Burger Week “United We Grill”

America 250 Celebration Ignites with Inaugural “Red, White & Burger Week

“United We Grill”

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

As America prepares to celebrate its historic 250th birthday in 2026, a brand-new event is bringing patriotism, community pride, and classic American flavor together in one unforgettable weeklong celebration.

Visit AKY is launching “Red, White & Burger Week: United We Grill,” an exciting inaugural event designed to honor the spirit of America through one of the nation’s most beloved traditions — gathering together over burgers, laughter, and shared memories.

This delicious event kicked off yesterday but will run through Sunday, May 31. This event is guaranteed to transform Memorial Day week into a celebration of freedom, hometown pride, and the enduring American spirit. Restaurants across the Ashland area will unveil exclusive custom burger creations inspired by the red, white, and blue celebration, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience a taste of Americana unlike anything the region has seen before.

At a time when communities across the nation are beginning to reflect on 250 years of American history, resilience, sacrifice, and unity, Red, White & Burger Week arrives as more than simply a food event — it becomes a tribute to the traditions that have long brought Americans together.

From backyard cookouts and family reunions to Memorial Day gatherings and summer nights spent around the grill, burgers have become a symbol of American culture itself. The aroma of burgers sizzling on the grill, the sounds of families gathered around picnic tables, and the feeling of neighbors coming together in celebration are woven into the fabric of the nation’s story. This event captures that spirit and places it front and center in a week dedicated to celebrating community, creativity, and country.

“This is America on a plate,” organizers say. “It’s about honoring the traditions we grew up with, supporting local restaurants, gathering with the people we care about, and celebrating the freedoms that unite us all.”

Participating restaurants will showcase their own signature burger masterpieces throughout the week, each bringing bold flavors and hometown creativity to the competition. Guests are encouraged to spend the week traveling from restaurant to restaurant, trying each featured creation, sharing the experience with family and friends, and casting their vote for the burger that best represents the spirit of “United We Grill.”

This year’s patriotic lineup includes Tuscan Prime Italian Chophouse, Fat Patty's Ashland, Sandy's Racing & Gaming, Jerk Riley's Irish Pub & Billiards, Kel’s Tavern, Sweet Peace Bakery, which will close out the week with a special burger-inspired dessert creation sure to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Voting will take place throughout the week from Monday, May 25 through Sunday, May 31, with guests able to vote by paper ballot inside participating restaurants, by QR code, or online through the Burger Week page under the Events section at Visit AKY.

To build excitement throughout the celebration, Visit AKY will also feature one participating restaurant and its signature creation each day from Monday through Saturday on the organization’s Facebook and Instagram pages, shining a spotlight on the local chefs and businesses helping bring this one-of-a-kind patriotic experience to life.

Organizers are encouraging the entire community to join in the celebration by following along online, sharing photos, tagging their burger crew, and helping spread the word across the region. The event is expected to draw food lovers, families, visitors, and patriotic Americans together for a week that celebrates not only incredible local food, but also the pride and unity that define the nation itself.

As the United States moves toward its monumental 250th anniversary, communities everywhere are searching for meaningful ways to honor the occasion. In Ashland, that celebration begins with burgers, hometown hospitality, and a reminder that some of America’s greatest moments are still found gathered around the table together.

This Memorial Day week, the grills will be hot, the flags will be waving, and the spirit of America will be alive in every bite.

United We Grill.