Madison’s Brat Fest Kicks Off Memorial Day Weekend Celebrations

MADISON, Wis. (WKOW) — The Memorial Day weekend tradition kicked off Friday in Madison with the annual Take Your Brat to Work Day. The festival is taking place at the Alliant Energy Center and will run through Sunday, offering brats, games, rides, a kids zone, and free live music.

By noon on the first day, around 26,000 brats had already been sold. Organizer Tim Metcalfe shared their fundraising goals for the 43rd year of this popular event. “We’re expecting to raise a little over $100,000 this year. Since Brat Fest started, we’ve raised about $2.8 million just by selling a brat and a beverage and then putting on free live music for everyone,” Metcalfe said. “So, we’re hoping that we can raise that amount of money and sell as many brats as possible, but it’s going to be a great event.”

Metcalfe also mentioned that they have adapted quickly to challenges over the years to keep the festival running smoothly and successfully.