World's Largest Brat Fest

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courtesy Brat Fest

A whole lot of grillin' goin' on at a past World's Largest Brat Fest.

A whole lot of grillin' goin' on at a past World's Largest Brat Fest.

Note: Due to stormy weather, Brat Fest is experiencing temporary closures for safety; updates can be found at facebook.com/BratFest.

With Brat Fest’s founder and sponsor, Metcalfe’s Market, sold to new Michigan owners SpartanNash, many are wondering about the fest’s future. It’s Madison’s annual Memorial Day weekend charity fundraiser and celebration of Wisconsin’s fave tailgate food. What began in 1983 as a “thank you” to Metcalfe’s customers “with a table, three chairs and a Weber grill” ultimately moved to Willow Island at the Alliant Center with bands, a carnival and, of course, brats. If this is the last one — although no one has said that it is — you won’t want to miss it. There are too many bands to name, but Friday headliners are The Village People at 8 p.m.; Saturday features Quiet Riot at 7 p.m. and Nashville’s LANCO at 8 p.m.; and country artist Neal McCoy closes out the fest at 8 p.m. Sunday. Find the schedule below, and updates at bratfest.com.

Schedule:

Friday: Take Your Brat to Work Day 6-9 a.m.; Grand Stage: RailHopper 12:45 p.m., Mad City Funk 1:40 p.m., Granny Shot 2:40 p.m., Paralandra 3:40 p.m., Foo Foo Dolls 4:40 p.m., Wayland 5:40 p.m., Bobaflex 6:45 p.m., Village People 8 p.m.; Main Stage: The Almas 11 a.m., Trash Pandas 11:50 a.m., Dem Horny Funkers 12:55 p.m., Sammy Ray Marshall 1:45 p.m., Abby Spencer 2:55 p.m., Diamonds & Lead 3:55 p.m., Derek Jones 4:55 p.m., The Hounds 5:55 p.m., Madison County 7 p.m.; Island Stage: Rattle Trapp 11:10 a.m., Super-Lit 12:10 p.m., Morningstar 1:10 p.m., Tha Mid City Kid 2:10 p.m., Ironplow 3:10 p.m., Left of Reason 4:10 p.m., Sunspot 5:10 p.m., Tantric 6:15 p.m.

Saturday: Bun Run + Dog Jog 8:30 a.m.; Grand Stage: Autumn Reverie 12:45 p.m., Shallow Side 1:40 p.m., The Lonely Ones 2:40 p.m., Pilot 3:40 p.m., Buck Neck-ed 4:40 p.m., Frank Martin Busch & the Names 5:40 p.m., Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey 6:45 p.m., Lanco 8 p.m.; Main Stage: Kaleb Woods 11 a.m., Ron Denson Band 11:50 a.m., John Masino Band 12:55 p.m., Elizabeth Mary Band 1:55 p.m., Katie Scullin 2:55 p.m., Emperors & Angels 3:55 p.m., Shawn Schell 4:55 p.m., Power Take Off 5:55 p.m., Quiet Riot 7 p.m. Island Stage: Take Back the Sun 11:10 a.m., Matt Schmidt 12:10 p.m., Alyssa Ruffin 1:10 p.m., Dan Lepien 2;10 p.m., TJ Stone 3:10 p.m., The Ramble 4:10 p.m., Kirstie Kraus 5:10 p.m., Mighty Electric 6:15 p.m.

Sunday: Grand Stage: Erin Oakley 11:50 a.m., Project Brave Band 12:55 p.m., Nicky Gracious 1:55 p.m., Rip 2:55 p.m., Trophy Husbands 3:55 p.m., Kelly Roose 4:55 p.m., Seventh Day Slumber 5:55 p.m., Sidewalk Prophets 7 p.m.; Main Stage: Scotty Austin 12:45 p.m., Rehab 1:40 p.m., Sand 2:40 p.m., Black Moods 3:40 p.m., Rick Monroe & the Hitmen 4:40 p.m., Royal Bliss 5:40 p.m., Tigerlily Gold 6:45 p.m., Neal McCoy 8 p.m. Island Stage: I.M.O.K. 11:10 a.m., Magdalene Rose 12:10 p.m., Anna R 1:10 p.m., The Remedy 2:10 p.m., Mason Meyer Band 3:10 p.m., Mickey Magnum & the Mayhem 4:10 p.m., Mars Hall 5:10 p.m., Kings of Radio 6:15 p.m.

media release: Grills will be sizzling and music will be playing as the World’s Largest Brat Fest will be back again on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., over Memorial Day Weekend May 24th 26th, 2024.

Free, live musical performances from 75 local and Midwest entertainers will take place all weekend, featuring headliners The Village People, LANCO, and Neal McCoy on the Grand Stage and Sidewalk Prophets on our Faith-based Stage on Sunday. Other notable acts performing at this year’s festival include: Quiet Riot, Tigirlily Gold, Rehab, Tantric, Bobaflex, Royal Bliss and Wayland.

“This is one of the best line-ups we have ever had! We are so excited for this year’s festival, kicking off summer in Wisconsin while giving back to over 100 area charities!” said Brat Man and festival organizer Tim Metcalfe. Last year’s Festival was a perfect weekend of incredible weather and attendance. Many volunteers stepped up to help, making it possible to donate nearly $150,000 to Brat Fest Charities. Metcalfe added, “To our sponsors, volunteers, and all of YOU who came out to enjoy a Brat (or two) and have a fun and safe time with your family last year…we THANK YOU! Let’s do it again in 2024!”

Non-profits who are interested in being a Brat Fest Charity should visit the event website at www.bratfest.com to learn how to apply! Additional information about music, events and food will also be added there as we continue to get closer to The World’s Largest Brat Fest.

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 $2.75 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, X, 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 of 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 and Instagram (@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.