Of course, the real focus of Memorial Day is the 1.3 million veterans the U.S. has lost to armed conflict over the decades, but one cant help but fixate on statistics that summarize Americas celebration of the weekend that marks the start of summer. Roughly 6 in ten Americans grilled out over the weekend; that works out to nearly 200 million Americans. Almost 40% of them did so away from home, and 9 out of ten of them traveled to their destinations by car. Orlando, Florida was their most popular destination. Washington, D.C. was visited by nearly 1 million atop two-wheeler's, headed to the annual Memorial Day Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally.
This time every year Americans move many cooking chores outdoors to take advantage of improving weather, of course, but theres another less well-known benefit. On Memorial Day the number of home-cooking-related fires jumps by 25%, compared to the average day. No surprise that burgers are the most popular, enjoyed by 6 of every seven celebrants; followed by steak and hot dogs (4 out of five); with chicken not far behind (5 out of seven).
The summer surge in outdoor cooking is a boon to manufacturers of related merchandise, such as grills, grilling implements and food carts, for example. According to Ted Gravenhorst, Sales and Marketing VP for John Boos & Co., the U.S.-based manufacturer of [kitchen carts](https://butcherblockco.com/kitchen-cart) made of butcher block and stainless steel, Sales of Boos kitchen carts build every spring and peak just before the July 4th holiday. Demand typically remains robust right up until Labor Day.
Looking to capitalize on seasonal demand, the online store Butcher Block Co. is fielding a John Boos Butcher Block Cart Giveaway. The companys VP of Marketing, Kathleen Grodsky, advised, The sweepstakes will be aggressively promoted throughout the month of June. The Grand Prize winner will be awarded a Boos Cucina Elegante kitchen cart, which features a varnished, maple butcher block top; a steel-faced, dovetailed drawer; two food-service-grade stainless-steel shelves; and a 10-inch drop-leaf extension.
[Butcher Block Co](https://butcherblockco.com/). compiled the above information from various sources, including Wallethub, KHAK.com, the Christian Science Monitor and John Boos & Co. BBC is a leading online retailer of kitchen furniture and accessories, including tables, islands and carts manufactured by Boos, Catskill Craftsmen, Chris & Chris and Oasis Concepts.
