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News and Updates
THE BEST FESTIVALS AND FAIRS IN WISCONSIN – Including Brat Fest
TravelMag.com | November 26, 2020
Wisconsin plays host to a huge number of festivals and fairs every year, many of which celebrate some aspect of the state’s rich heritage. If you’re coming to Wisconsin over the next year and like the idea of attending one of these events, check out our list below which runs through 20 of the best festivals and fairs taking place here in 2021. READ MORE
BRAT FEST ON-LINE AUCTION RAISES OVER $25,000!
MADISON, WI (August 31, 2020) – The World’s Largest Brat Fest in Madison is thrilled to announce their virtual auction was a huge success thanks to many, many generous donors and Brat Fest supporters. READ MORE
Travel Wisconsin: World’s Largest Brat Fest
TravelWisconsin.com featured the World’s Largest Brat Fest on their Fair’s and Festivals page: READ MORE
World’s Largest Brat Fest Goes Green with Wind, Solar Power
Brat Fest partners with MG&E in 2019 to build on its zero waste initiative. The Green Power will offset Brat Fest’s carbon emissions from electricity used to power the festival with green power. READ MORE
141,688 Brats Served at the World’s Largest Brat Fest
Channel 3000 features Brat Fest 2019 141,688 Brats
Brat Fest Featured by the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau features Brat Fest in its “Culinary Calendar” and recommends the Fest in the “Summer Leisure” section of its website.
New at Brat Fest: Wisconsin Remembers Exhibit Puts a Face to Every Wisconsin Name Listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
World’s Largest Brat Fest is always looking for new ways to bring the community together and is proud to add a special exhibit in 2016: Wisconsin Remembers: A Face for Every Name. The exhibit features a photo for each of the 1,161 Wisconsinites listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., along with an additional 83 names that are listed on The Highground Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Neillsville, WI. In total, 1,244 Wisconsinites are remembered for their service and sacrifice. READ MORE (PDF)
Brat Fest: Fun, Family and Brats in Beautiful Madison
ResortsandLodges.com interviews Brat Fest representative, Jeff Schroeter about the free, can’t-miss, family friendly event for tens of thousands of people from Madison and all over the Upper Midwest. The interview covers the wide range of national and local live music and activities and the Fest’s positive impact on over 100 charitable organizations. READ MORE
Brat Fest 2015 Wrap Up
MADISON, Wis. (May 27, 2015) – As the puddles dried, the crowds flooded in, sending the 33rd annual World’s Largest Brat Fest out in style. Festival-goers came in droves to see the former lead singer of Staind, Aaron Lewis, perform his a few of his old songs and his new country music. Memorial Day was honored with a presentation of colors by members of VFW Post 1318 and a singing of the national anthem by the lead singer of featured band Wayland, Mitch Arnold. READ MORE (PDF)
Even in the Rain Brat Fest Rocks
MADISON, Wis. (May 24, 2015) – To those who came out in the pouring rain, we say thank you. Thanks to your support, the total Sunday brat count is 123,946. “This is Wisconsin and we are not deterred by a little rain. Brat Fest is still out here grilling brats, playing free live music. We are devoted to ensuring funds for Madison area charities. We want to thank everyone who came out to support them” said Tim Metcalfe, Brat Fest Organizer and Co-owner of Metcalfe’s Market. READ MORE (PDF)
Warm Weather Brings Big Crowds
MADISON, Wis. (May 23, 2015) – With temperatures approaching 80 degrees, the second day of The World’s Largest Brat Fest gave a new meaning to the start of summer. Brat Fest has a attracted huge crowds this year. So far, 112,849 brats have been purchased, exceeding last year by 11,699. READ MORE (PDF)
Brat Fest 2015 Sets New Record
MADISON, Wis. (May 22, 2015) – The World’s Largest Brat Fest is in full swing and runs through Memorial Day, May 25, in Madison, Wisconsin. Thanks to a record-breaking Take Your Brat to Work Day this morning (20,466 brats in three hours!), beautiful weather, and rocker Bret Michaels drawing crowds from across the state, Brat Fest attendance is up and brat sales are big. 58,752 brats were purchased at today’s Fest (that’s 6,800 more brats than day one of Brat Fest 2014). READ MORE (PDF)
Brat Fest Opens Early Featuring Drive-thru and Bike Brat-thru
MADISON, Wis. (May 20, 2015) – The World’s Largest Brat Fest is all set to kick off the Memorial Day Weekend this Friday morning at 6:00 a.m.! “Only in Madison, Wisconsin can you get up at the crack of dawn, drive over to Brat Fest, and pick up a bag of sizzling hot Johnsonville brats for breakfast” said Tim Metcalfe, Brat Fest Organizer and Co-Owner of Metcalfe’s Market. READ MORE (PDF)
World’s Largest Brat Fest Pays Tribute to Veterans and Military
MADISON, Wis. (May 18, 2015) – Memorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers who had died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women who died in any war or military action. READ MORE (PDF)
World’s Largest Brat Fest Announces Bands for Lifest Stage
MADISON, Wis. (May 15, 2015) – For the second year, over Memorial Day Weekend at Madison’s Alliant Energy Center, the World’s Largest Brat Fest will partner with Lifest – Midwest’s largest Christian music festival in Oshkosh, WI. The Lifest stage at Brat Fest 2015 will feature Christian music artists including headliners Hawk Nelson, Rapture Ruckus, Family Force 5 and Sidewalk Prophets, as well as family acts from AJ the Animated Illusionist to Josh Jordan. READ MORE (PDF)
World’s Largest Brat Fest Filled with a Variety of Family Fun
MADISON, WI (May 13, 2015) – The World’s Largest Brat Fest, Memorial Day Weekend (May 22-25), is bringing the community together and raising money for local charities. Last year, with the help of 3,000+ volunteers, Brat Fest raised more than $138,000 for local non-profits. Since its humble beginning back in 1983, the Fest has raised and donated nearly $1.5 million to more than one hundred local 501(c)(3)’s. READ MORE (PDF)
Big Plans for Brat Fest 2015: Charlie Daniels, Latin Music, Education Animals, Free Henry Vilas Zoo Shuttles, Zero Waste
MADISON, WI (May 4, 2015) – The World’s Largest Brat Fest, Memorial Day Weekend (May 22-25), is expecting a big year. “We think this year’s Fest could beat last year’s record. In 2014, Brat Fest donated $138,000 to local charities. This year we hope to beat that mark,” says Tim Metcalfe, Organizer and Co-owner of Metcalfe’s Market. Brat Fest has raised nearly $1.5 million for more than 100 area 501c3’s since 1983. READ MORE (PDF)
Brat Fest to Feature Zero Waste Initiative
April 14, 2015
This year the World’s Largest Brat Fest is showing its support of the community in a brand-new way—by starting a Zero Waste Initiative. Brat Fest will improve its current recycling program and will also add composting, with the goal of dramatically reducing the amount of landfilled waste in an effort to protect and benefit the environment. READ MORE
World’s Largest Brat Fest Returns to Alliant Energy Center Memorial Day Weekend
April 1, 2015
33 years ago, in an effort to thank the customers of his family-owned grocery store, Tom Metcalfe (1935-2006) and his wife Margaret, created a modest brat fry with a table, three chairs and a Weber grill in the store parking lot. Since 1983, more than $1.4 million has been raised for local charities, and nearly 3.5 million brats have been enjoyed. Today, Brat Fest remains a volunteer-run nonprofit free music festival with proceeds benefiting more than 140 local charities. Who knew a bratwurst could do so much? READ MORE