By Pat Hammert/Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY — Somewhere in the far recesses of the Capitol dome the aroma still might be hanging.

The fragrance of fried-onion burgers tends to linger. And what American soul doesn’t like hamburgers?

Rep. Sue Tibbs does.

“We were watching an OETA thing on Burger Day and our mouths were watering. We looked at each other and said how far is it to El Reno, we’ve got to get over there,” Tibbs said.

The Republican from Tulsa was among about 300 legislators and Capitol workers who were drawn by burgers in the House of Representatives lounge on Monday. Mascot O.F. Burger walked the halls like a carnival hustler.

Burger Day promoters had earlier carted 300 burgers up to the third floor reception room to hand them out for lunch.

“We served until there wasn’t any more and when we ran out there were still people in line,” said Codie Lee-Finnigan, Main Street director.

The event was only a fragrant preamble to the 18th Annual Burger Day festival on Saturday that surrounds the grilling of the world’s largest fried-onion burger. At the same time they were being handed a wrapped burger, lawmakers were being invited to attend the festival where the big burger is cooked over an open fire and then served to a waiting crowd — all 750 pounds of it.

The House contingency that represents El Reno — Rep. Ryan McMullen, D-Burns Flat, Rep. Phil Richardson, R-Minco, and Rep. James Covey, D-Custer City — signed a Burger Day citation declaring the fried onion burger both “superb and delicious.”

Lots of free fun surrounds the cooking of the burger that begins at noon in downtown El Reno. Live entertainment on the Main Stage will feature local and popular Oklahoma entertainers and at the Children’s Stage with clowns, magicians, dancers, singers and the Rockin’ on Rock Island disc jockey.

A burger-eating contest is a crowd pleaser, featuring adult and children contestants. Watch the flyover of World War II vintage aircraft and the crowning of King of the Big Burger. A classic car show will show off more than 200 antique and custom cars. At 9 a.m. at Memorial Stadium, runners will compete in the Bun Run, a 5K and 10K walk-run. Main Street Burger Booth will be selling fried-onion hamburgers all day long. Kids World will have a Jurassic adventure, dunk tank, golf putt, mechanical bull, super play, titanic slide, rock climbing wall, 70-foot obstacle course, whirly bird, moonwalk, Plinko, treasure hunt, Nemo bean bag toss, grab bags, ball toss, clowns,magicians, pony rides, sand art, hair coloring, face painting, basketball free throw contest, pie-throwing contest, gold fish game and more.

A local pub will host a live radio remote from The Sports Animal, WWLS 104.9 FM radio from 10 a.m. to noon along with eight authentic racing cars that are part of a beer company’s NASCAR promotion.

Besides burgers at the Main Street Burger Tent, festival food will include cheese fries, hot dogs, snow cones, cookies, roasted corn, German roasted almonds and pecans, funnel cakes, cotton candy, crepes, pretzels, pickles, nachos and ice cream.

About 35 craft booths will sell hand-crafted furniture, purses, candles, gourd art, jewelry, holiday items, paintings, quilts, aprons, placemats, pillows, ceramics, dolls, photography, painted pots, pet accessories and stained glass art.

Last year, organizers estimated about 25,000 attended Burger Day. More than 2,300 volunteer hours were tracked.