Brat Fest 40 Years!

World's Largest Brat Fest Returns to Willow Island To Celebrate 40 Years Of Brats On Memorial Day Weekend 2022!

MADISON, Wis., (December 15, 2021) - Grills will be sizzling and music will be playing as the World’s Largest Brat Fest will be back on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy center over Memorial Day Weekend next year. Brat Fest will be following all local health department & public health orders and recommendations while planning a fun and safe festival to kick off summer as we celebrate 40 years of brats!

Over 70 local and Midwest entertainers will be performing all weekend with headliners Joe Nichols and 38 Special playing on the Grand Stage.

Take Your Brat to Work Day (including delivery from EatStreet), one of Wisconsin’s largest volleyball tournaments, Hot Dog Jog, Kid Zone, Sports Zone, Farm Zone / Petting Zoo, Car Show, Carnival, Sunday night fireworks and SO MUCH MORE will be coming back in 2022.

Visit www.BratFest.com for more details! Additional information about music, events and food will be added as we continue to get closer to the 40th Anniversary of Brat Fest.

While Brat Fest could not take place in 2020 and 2021, we found different ways to still support the Brat Fest Charities over the last two years. In 2020, Brat Fest held a Virtual Brat Fest, allowing folks to make a monetary donation when purchasing virtual brats. Later in 2020, an online silent auction was held. In total, over $100,000 was raised for the Brat Fest charities.

In 2021, the one-time only, Build Your Own Brat Fest took place. Over 180 bars and restaurants across Dane County participated, serving Brat Fest brats over Memorial Day Weekend. We were thrilled to be able to help bring back live music at many of the participating venues. Over $50,000 was raised for the Brat Fest charities during Build Your Own Brat Fest.

Non-profits interested in being a Brat Fest Charity?
Visit www.BratFest.com to learn how you can apply to be a Brat Fest charity!

About the World's Largest Brat Fest
Brat Fest has been held every Memorial Day weekend since 1983 as a fundraiser for local charities and has grown to support over 100 non-profits today. Tom and Margaret Metcalfe held the very first Brat Fest in front of their Madison, WI family-owned grocery store, Metcalfe's Market, with a 22” Weber Grill, a table and three chairs. It was a way for them to say "thank you" to their customers. In 2001, Johnsonville came on-board as the ‘Official Brat” for the Festival. In 2005, Brat Fest outgrew Metcalfe's parking lot and moved to Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center. Over 35 years after its small parking lot start, the still-family-friendly Brat Fest features 100 free musical acts, free parking, free admission, fireworks, a carnival and of course, brats - with more than $2.3 million donated to local charities since 1983. For a complete list of Brat Fest programming, events, and highlights, visit www.BratFest.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (@bratfest/@bratfestoffical).

Produced by Metcalfe's Market
Metcalfe's Market is a fourth-generation, family-owned market with two locations in Madison (Hilldale and West Towne), and one in the Village in Wauwatosa. Proudly operating since 1917, Metcalfe's has been committed to sustainability for over 100 years. From creating a local food miles program featuring over 3,500 local foods to 100 percent green power and composting, Metcalfe's Market is committed to a more sustainable place where we all work, live and play. For more information on Metcalfe's Market, visit www.shopmetcalfes.com or follow-on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@MetcalfesMarket).

Presented by Johnsonville Sausage
Wisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is the No. 1 national brand of bratwurst, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links. Johnsonville employs approximately 1,600 members. Each member takes ownership of product quality to ensure the excellence and "Big Flavor" of Johnsonville Sausage. Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, the company remains privately owned today. www.johnsonville.com