Large Crowds Turn Out For Brat Fest
96,000 Brats Eaten By Saturday Night
Posted: 4:33 pm CDT May 24, 2008Updated: 1:54 am CDT May 25, 2008
- Images: Photos Of Brat Fest 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- The annual Johnsonville World's Largest Brat Fest is being held in Madison this weekend, and organizers are looking to set a new record of brats eaten.
SLIDESHOW: View Photos Of Brat Fest 2008The current record of 189,432 brats was set at the 2004 Brat Fest. This year, organizers are aiming to sell 200,000 brats.With Saturday's sunny, pleasant weather, large crowds began to pack Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center around noon, and the wait in line to buy brats averaged about 15 minutes.Matt Reimer had family visiting from 600 miles away over the weekend, and he brought them along to experience their first Brat Fest."They came in to town for a long weekend, and we should inaugurate them into Wisconsin living, and that means bratwurst -- and some cheese, right?" Reimer said.By Saturday night, organizers estimated that around 96,000 brats had been consumed. Organizer Tim Metcalfe said they feel this could be the year they break the record.Brats cost $1.50 and proceeds will go to dozens of charities, WISC-TV reported.Brat Fest features a full midway of rides and attractions and free live entertainment from musical artists. The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill, The World's Largest Tour Grill and the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile are also on the grounds.At this year's Brat Fest, a Madison company is debuting an eco-friendly alternative to using charcoal and lighter fluid for grilling.Sologear has developed the uGO FlameDisk. It's solidified ethanol, which is made from corn. Mark Schweiger, one of the founders, said a single match ignites the disk, flames appear within about 1 minute and the fire burns for about 40 minutes.He also said that when the ethanol is used up, there are no ashes or smoldering coals, just an aluminum shell that cools quickly and can be recycled.Sologear plans to sell the FlameDisk nationwide after testing it in Wisconsin. Woodman's has agreed to sell the product at a few Madison area stores. It retails for about $4.Brat Fest is being held on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center. Admission and parking to the event is free and open to the public.Brat Fest continues Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.For more information, visit BratFest.com.
SLIDESHOW: View Photos Of Brat Fest 2008The current record of 189,432 brats was set at the 2004 Brat Fest. This year, organizers are aiming to sell 200,000 brats.With Saturday's sunny, pleasant weather, large crowds began to pack Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center around noon, and the wait in line to buy brats averaged about 15 minutes.Matt Reimer had family visiting from 600 miles away over the weekend, and he brought them along to experience their first Brat Fest."They came in to town for a long weekend, and we should inaugurate them into Wisconsin living, and that means bratwurst -- and some cheese, right?" Reimer said.By Saturday night, organizers estimated that around 96,000 brats had been consumed. Organizer Tim Metcalfe said they feel this could be the year they break the record.Brats cost $1.50 and proceeds will go to dozens of charities, WISC-TV reported.Brat Fest features a full midway of rides and attractions and free live entertainment from musical artists. The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill, The World's Largest Tour Grill and the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile are also on the grounds.At this year's Brat Fest, a Madison company is debuting an eco-friendly alternative to using charcoal and lighter fluid for grilling.Sologear has developed the uGO FlameDisk. It's solidified ethanol, which is made from corn. Mark Schweiger, one of the founders, said a single match ignites the disk, flames appear within about 1 minute and the fire burns for about 40 minutes.He also said that when the ethanol is used up, there are no ashes or smoldering coals, just an aluminum shell that cools quickly and can be recycled.Sologear plans to sell the FlameDisk nationwide after testing it in Wisconsin. Woodman's has agreed to sell the product at a few Madison area stores. It retails for about $4.Brat Fest is being held on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center. Admission and parking to the event is free and open to the public.Brat Fest continues Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.For more information, visit BratFest.com.
Previous Stories:
- May 29, 2007: Brat Fest Falls Short Of Record
- May 28, 2007: Brat Fest Organizers Looking To Break Record
Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
