The Johnsonville Sausage Festival -- better known as Brat Fest -- celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2013. With more than 3 million bratwursts sold in its history, it was voted Best Outdoor Festival by Madison.com readers in 2008, 2009 and 2010 -- the same year organizers set the world record for selling a whopping 209,376 brats over the four-day celebration.
Dates and Location
- Brat Fest takes place over Memorial Day weekend each year in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2005, the four-day event was moved to its present-day venue downtown at Willow Island in the Alliant Energy Center. For a nominal day rate, you can utilize the 5,800-space illuminated parking lot. If you prefer to stay overnight, the Clarion Suites Central offers accommodations directly connected to the exhibition hall at the Alliant Energy Center.
Humble History
- In 1983, Hilldale neighborhood grocers Tom and Margaret Metcalfe thanked their customers by selling 50-cent brats from a Weber grill. The party became an annual tradition and over the years attendance and volunteer participation grew. The Metcalfes dubbed the fete “The World’s Largest Brat Fest” after selling 35,000 sausages in 1999, and they decided to donate annual sale proceeds to local charities. In 2001, Johnsonville became the official brat of the festival. The brand donated 150,000 brats in 2006 and by 2011 had agreed to foot the bill for all the sausages sold -- enabling charity donations that have exceeded $1 million.
- Entertainment
- More than 100 live music acts from the area perform on five different stages at the 29-acre park amid carnival rides, face-painting booths and games of skill. Each year, Sunday's headliner show ends with a 20-minute firework show. In addition to enjoying the sausages, you'll have opportunities to score merchandise from sponsors like the Pepsi Street Team, marvel at the Budweiser Clydesdale horses and take a tour of the customized Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
Athletic Activities
- The festival includes plenty of brat-burning fun for the whole family, with all proceeds donated to participating charities. Test your strength on a rock climbing wall or sweat it out en masse with a boot camp class that’s open to all fitness levels and ages. The annual Bun Run includes a 2-mile walk and 5K and 10K races. Registered runners are eligible for discounted room rates at local hotels.
