World's Largest Brat Fest

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From humble beginnings on one grill in a Hilldale grocer's parking lot, this Memorial Day weekend tradition has grown into its name as the World's Largest Brat Fest. The music offerings also expanded with the fest's move to Alliant, providing big crowds for a diverse roster of local bands — and a number of Christian-oriented groups. Some legends are always in the mix as well; the schedule for 2018 is yet to be announced.

Hours: Friday: 6-9 am (Take Your Brat to Work Day) and 10am to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm; Monday: 10 am to 6 pm

This year's line-up at the World's Largest Brat Festival will make you want to start Friday and stay through Monday. Brat Fest alumni Aaron Lewis will headline on the Grand Stage, along with The Gin Blossoms and Blackstone Cherry. Bobaflex and Stryper round out this year's headliners, but it does not stop there. Supporting acts include: Saving Abel, Royal Bliss, The Rembrandts, Ben Haggard and several more. Returning in 2018 is the Hot Dog Jog (5K jog with your canine pal), Human Foosball tournament, pony rides, plus all of our other events and tributes (listed below). In addition to the recurring events, we also have added: Corn Brats-- which is based off the traditional Corn Dog food, but with a bratwurst in the center. For a complete lineup of bands, events, and food, visit Bratfest.com.

FRIDAY: Grand Stage: Sleep Signals 1 pm, Good Morning V 2 pm, Morgan Whitney 3 pm, The Hootz 4 pm, Katie Scullin 5 pm, Rick Monroe 6 pm, Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey 7 pm, Aaron Lewis 8 pm. Lifest Stage: Ayiesha Woods 6 pm, Seth & Nirvan 7 pm. Main Stage: Baby Rocket 11 am, Birth of Tragedy noon, MorningStar 1 pm, Untamed 2 pm, 7SD 3 pm, Revolution X 4 pm, Foo Foo Dollls 5 pm, Cherry Pie 6 pm. Island Stage: Jake O'McCluskey 1 pm, Rick Monroe 4 pm, Althea Grace 5 pm, Swing Crew 5 pm, WheelHouse 7 pm.

SATURDAY: Grand Stage: SuperTuesday 2 pm, Ben Haggard 3 pm, Voodoo Fix 4 pm, Rip 5 pm, Mascot Theory 6 pm, Shallow Side 7 pm, Gin Blossoms 8 pm. Lifest Stage: Holly Starr 1 pm, Adelaide 3 pm, Todd Angew 6 pm. Main Stage: Rae 11 am, South City Revival noon, Teddy Davenport 1 pm, Rembrandts 2 pm, Beth Kille Band 3 pm, Virginia Liquor Co. 4 pm, Kirstie Kraus 5 pm, Madison County 6 pm. Island Stage: Technoir 11 am, Morgan Whitney 11:30 am, Go Play God 12:15 pm, Falcon 1:15 pm, Left of Reason 2:15 pm, Ultrea 3:15 pm, Metal Gonz 4 pm, Denim n Leather 6 pm.

SUNDAY: Grand Stage: Jasmine Cain 1 pm, Sunspot 2 pm, Fall of Man 3 pm, Jessica Meuse 4 pm, Gwen Sebastian 5 pm, Royal Bliss 6 pm, Saving Abel 7 pm, Blackstone Cherry 8 pm. Lifest Stage: Rey y sus Diamantes noon, Mariachi Monarchas 1 pm, Ballet Folklorico de Maria Diaz 2 pm, Rock Impacto 3 pm, Terkos de la Sierra 4 pm, Maury Martin Bachata y Mas 5 pm, Sofi Martinez 6 pm, Grupo Maravilla 7 pm. Main Stage: Sucker Punch 11 am, Johnny Likes Noize noon, Ron Denson noon, ZamTrip 1 pm, Torn Between 2 pm, Pacific Coast Highway 3 pm, Lords of the Trident 4 pm, Kings of Radio 5 pm, Stryper 6 pm. Island Stage: North Code 11 am, Jeremy Scruggs noon, Royal Bliss 1 pm, Lower 5th 2 pm, Schmoolio 3 pm, Last Crack 4 pm, Saving Abel 5 pm, Playground of Sound 6 pm, Angels & Outlaws 7 pm.

MONDAY: Grand Stage: Pilot 1:20 pm, Brandon Gibbs Band 2:40 pm, Vajra 3:35 pm, Bobaflex 4:30 pm. Main Stage: Perry Hutchins 11 am, Old Soul Society 1 pm, Autumn Reverie 2 pm, Jessi Lynn 3 pm, Kasey Tyndall 4 pm, Dead Horses 5 pm. Island Stage: Trick Shot 11 am, Sam Ness noon, Michael Reed Band 1 pm, Hook Up 2 pm, Madpolecats 3 pm, Claudettes 4 pm, Mad City Funk 5 pm.

Kids Sport Zone: For kids who love to move around! There's something for every kid, all day, every day! Soccer, sack races, bounce house inflatables, flag football, pony rides, a petting zoo, mascot races and Brat Toss. New this year is a log-rolling exhibition.

Take Your Brat to Work Day: Friday (May 25) from 6am to 9am, Brat Fest will be cooking for local businesses to pick up lunch for their employees while helping local charities. Eat Street is back again this year, offering delivery for orders over 60-count from 9am to 12pm. 

(NEW) Take Your Brat to Senior Day: Sunday (May 27) from 10am to 1pm, Brat Fest will deliver sponsored brats to local senior communties.

Custom Car Show: On Sunday (May 27), enjoy our amazing Custom Car Show from 10am to 4pm, near the south exit to Willow Island. Cars Curing Cancer will have over 100 cars on display!

(NEW) Island Tent Stage: A new, high-energy way to enjoy free live music and experience table service, craft and domestic beer, and a variety of Wollersheim wine or Yahara Bay cocktails.

Kids Art Zone, presented by EZ Office Products: Cool down or just take a break in one of our shaded tents with tables and chairs.  Try our art activities, books and games.

Military Salute to Veterans: Monday (May 28), Brat Fest will display equipment, have exhibits, and provide a free t-shirt and brat to all current and former military personnel. Vouchers can be redeemed at the merchandise tent.

Hometown Heroes: On Saturday and Sunday (May 26-27), Brat Fest salutes local police and fire departments for their efforts in the community. Stop and see the engines and squad cars, SWAT vehicles and many more! An Honor Guard will present the colors and will join us together to sing the National Anthem at 12pm.

Dane County's Henry Vilas Zoo Shuttle: In partnership with the Dane County Henry Vilas Zoo, Brat Fest will provide a free shuttle between the Zoo and the festival Saturday through Monday every 30 minutes (at the top and bottom of each hour).  Zoo admission is free between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bratteyball: A grass volleyball tournament at Willow Island will return to Brat Fest this year at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 26 - rain or shine. The teams are coed 6s. The tournament offers prizes in both power and intermediate divisions. All registered players get a Bratteyball t-shirt, brat and a choice of beer or soda.

The 6th Annual Brat Fest Run (with the Hot Dog Jog):TThe Tom Metcalfe Memorial Run on Saturday morning (May 26) features a 5K and 10K run, in addition to a Saturday 5K Hot Dog Jog. Online registration for all run events is open through May 24th (walk-up registration also available).

Sunday Night Fireworks: Join us Sunday evening at the World's Largest Brat Fest to witness a dazzling firework show light up the evening sky! Brat Fest offers one of Madison's most spectacular fireworks displays of the year, all free of charge. Bring family and friends, blankets and chairs, and your appetite for entertainment, and we will provide all the amazing fireworks you can handle.

Brat Fest Boot Camp: Join us Monday (May 28) with Gym 608 at 9am for an hour of fitness before all the brats and funnel cakes. Open to all ages and fitness levels. Tickets must be purchased by May 27th through Eventbrite.

Destination Zero Waste: The World's Largest Brat Fest has added composting in addition to recycling in disposing of event waste. Our goal is to divert 60 percent of trash that would go to the landfill to compost, which will then be reused. Brat Fest is also working with their food vendors to use compostable supplies.