BEDFORD — A beloved Lawrence County tradition is returning this weekend as community members gather to enjoy a taste of local history for a good cause.
Beatle Burgers will be served on Saturday, September 12, bringing back the famous secret-sauce sandwiches to raise funds for the community. The effort was resurrected by Greg Stokes, Denny Underwood, and a team of former Bedford Jaycees members who helped revive the classic fundraiser to support local children.
While the fundraiser was previously held in the CVS parking lot, this year’s Beatle Burger event will take place at the American Legion on X Street, with serving starting at 11:00 a.m. and continuing until 4:00 p.m. or until the burgers run out.
A Sensation Born in 1964
The story of the Beatle Burger dates back to 1964, during the peak of Beatlemania in the United States. Members of the Bedford Jaycees—a local civic organization focused on leadership development and community service—saw an opportunity to turn the British Invasion into a unique charitable project.
The group constructed a small 10-by-10-foot food stand, blasted Beatles hits on speakers, and began selling hamburgers featuring a closely guarded, proprietary “Beatle Burger Secret Sauce”.
The event quickly grew into an annual staple, serving as a primary fundraiser for various Jaycee initiatives across Lawrence County for decades.
While the active Bedford Jaycees chapter eventually dissolved in the 1990s as national civic participation shifted, many of its charitable programs endured. The most notable legacy of the group is Bedford Clothe-A-Child, Inc., an independent nonprofit that originated as a Jaycee effort to provide clothing assistance to local children in need.
Former members and volunteers revived the Beatle Burger tradition in the 2000s specifically to benefit Clothe-A-Child, ensuring the original recipe, music, and charitable mission remained intact.
Residents are encouraged to stop by on Saturday to grab a burger, enjoy the nostalgic music, and support local youth programs.
