ONLINE FUNDRAISER: World's Largest Brat Fest

press release: The World’s Largest Brat Fest announced last week that its free annual community music festival that draw overs 125,000 visitors will not be held this year.   

“Brat Fest has always marked the beginning of summer here in Madison, with its free live music and raising money for hundreds of local charities and it’s with a heavy heart that we must cancel this year’s event,” said Tim Metcalfe, Brat Fest Organizer. Metcalfe continued, “Ultimately, preserving the health and safety of all is of our paramount concern. With over 4,500 volunteers, thousands of musicians and over 125,000 festival-goers coming to the three day event, with the uncertainty of what healthy social distancing might look like in August, we decided it would be best for everyone to cancel this year’s event and begin looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend in 2021.”  

The World’s Largest Brat Fest announced Thursday that it is hosting a Virtual Brat Fest beginning on Friday, May 22, 2020. “We know there are over 120 non-profit organizations who are counting on the dollars that they raise for their organization every year at Brat Fest,” said organizer Tim Metcalfe. He continued, “Brat Fest has been around for 37 years, raising over $2M to-date, supporting over 120 non-profits and we need the community’s help so together, we can match our 2019 donation total of $105,000 and help these important community partners through this difficult year.”

Virtual Brat Fest will begin on May 22 at 6 A.M.at www.bratfest.com. 100% of Virtual Brat Fest sales (minus expenses) will be donated to local charities. The first $30,000 raised will be matched dollar for dollar, though the support of Brat Fest’s 2020 sponsors: Metcalfe’s, Johnsonville, Remagiment Advisors, Madison Community Fund, Johnson Bank, Fearings Audio, Monkey Shines, Ten Pin, Zurbachen, EatStreet, Ferguson, Farm and Fleet, Wisconsin Distributors, Life 102.5, Haussmann Johnson, Group Health Cooperative, Bruce Company,  Madison Gas and Electric and Wollersheim Wines. 

The virtual menu includes:

• Johnsonville Brat, Johnsonville Chipotle, Cheddar Bart, Boars Head Hot Dog, Field Roast Veggie Brat ($3). Virtual Brat 5-Packs are also available ($15/each)
• Virtual Pepsi ($3/each)
• Virtual Beer ($6/each) - choose from Budweiser, Ale Asylum, Capital Brewer or Karben4
• Virtual Yahara Bay Cocktail ($6/each)
• Virtual Wollersheim Wine ($6/each)

There is no minimum virtual order size or fee to participate.  There are no actual food or drink items being sold, this is an online fundraiser only.

Every Virtual Brat Fest donor will receive an thank-you certificate via email.  Donors who purchase $60 or more will have the option to receive a limited edition, commemorative “Brat Fest 2020 - Caring Not Cancelled” t-shirt. These t-shirts will not be available for purchase - only as a thank-you gift for Virtual Brat Fest donations of $60 or more. 

The next in-person World’s Largest Brat Fest will be held May 28-30, 2021 on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Michael Alexander, Brat Fest Music Director, said, “We plan to announce our 2021 event headliners in January.”

As always, there will be plenty of family-friendly events including a carnival, fireworks, one of the state's largest volleyball tournaments, mascot races, 5K/10K run, plus many more events and tributes, and of course lots of sizzling Johnsonville brats.      

Please visit www.bratfest.com for the latest news about event dates and opportunities to continue to help Brat Fest to support local charities. A complete, updated listing of band performances, events, and food will also be available there.  

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, Wis., 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 36 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 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

2019 Hours: Friday: 6-9 am (Take Your Brat to Work Day) and 10am to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm