World's Largest Brat Fest

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courtesy BTE Inc.

The band Slaughter.

Slaughter

The expected summer festival aspects are here — a carnival, a kids' activity zone, lots of fair food (centered on brats, of course). But it's the music that sets apart this fundraiser for local charities, produced by Metcalfe's Market for more than three decades. There's always a strong lineup of regional performers with a particular focus on harder-edged rock and country, as well as a contemporary Christian stage on Sunday. And this year's touring headliners present some performers you aren't going to see in Madison otherwise, from heavy (Slaughter, 8 p.m. Saturday; Steven Adler, 7 p.m. Friday) to hip-hop (Tone Lōc and Kid N Play, starting at 6:45 p.m. Sunday). Find the full schedule at bratfest.com.

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.

Free, live musical performances from over 70 local and Midwest entertainers will take place all weekend, featuring headliners Frankie Ballard, Slaughter, and Kid N Play on the Grand Stage. Other notable acts performing at this year’s festival include: Tone Loc, Bill Miller, Craig Campbell, and Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses.

“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 40th Anniversary Festival was incredible with many volunteers stepping up to help, making it possible to donate nearly $100,000 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 2023!”

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. 

Schedule:

Friday: Take Your Brat To Work Day 6-9 am; Main Stage: Seilies 11 am, Restless Anna 11:50 am, Odd Fellows 12:55 pm, Frame 42 1:55 pm, Jage Nichols 2:55 pm, Go Play God 3:55 pm, Left of Reason 4:55 pm, Sunspot 5:55 pm, Steven Adler 7 pm; Grand Stage: Autumn Reverie 12:45 pm, Michael Brooks & The Mighty Joe White 1:40 pm, Mason Meyer & Stolen Thunder 2:40 pm, Bill Miller 3:40 pm, Shallow Side 4:40 pm, Scotty Tyce & Power Take Off 5:40 pm, Craig Campbell 6:45 pm, Frankie Ballard 8 pm; Island Stage: John Masino Band, 12:10 pm, If Mom Only Knew 1:10 pm, Pszanka 2:10 pm, The Solution 3:10 pm, eMpTy Vees 4:10 pm, Mars Hall 5:10 pm, Saving Abel 6:15 pm.

Saturday: Main Stage: The Blue Dyes 11 am, Lou Shields 11:50 am, Mickey Magnum 12:55 pm, TJ Stone 1:55 pm, Smokin' Meerkats 2:55 pm, BuckNeck-Ed 3:55 pm, Virginia Liquor Company 4:55 pm, Kirstie Kraus 5:55 pm, Madison County 7 pm; Grand Stage: The Hounds 12:45 pm, Austin Stirling 1:40 pm, Shawn Schell 2:40 pm, Mighty Electric 3:40 pm, Rick Monroe 4:40 pm, Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey 5:40 pm, Wayland 6:45 pm, Slaughter 8 pm; Island Stage: Ron Denson 12:10 pm, Midnight Angel 1:10 pm, Diamonds and Lead 2:10 pm, Bree Morgan 3:10 pm Bourbon House 4:10 pm, Pilot 5:10 pm, Kings of Radio 6:15 pm.

Sunday: Main Stage: JP Got Saved 11:50 am, The Project Brave 12:55 pm, Nicky Gracious 1:55 pm, Kelly Roose 2:55 pm, One Way North 3:55 pm, Stars Go Dim 4:45, Alexander Pappas 5:55 pm, Britt Nicole 7 pm; Grand Stage: Rip 12:45 pm, Drew Lines 1:50 pm, Scotty Austin 2:40 pm, Lonely Ones 3:40 pm, Black Moods 4:40 pm, Royal Bliss 5:40 pm, Tone-Loc 6:45 pm, Kid N Play 8 pm; Island Stage: 7 Seasons Deep 11:10 am, Breech 12:10 pm, Citizen Soldier 1:10 pm, Gravel 2:10 pm, The Remedy 3:10 pm, Foo Foo Dolls 4:10 pm, Elizabeth Mary Band 5:10 pm, Frank Martin Busch & the Names 6:15 pm.

Carnival midway: 10 am-8 pm daily.

Kids' Zone: Friday, May 26, 4:00pm-8:00pm | Saturday, May 27, 10:00am- 8:00pm | Sunday, May 28, 10:00am-8:00pm

Sports Zone: Friday, May 26, 12:00pm-5:00pm | Saturday, May 27, 8:00am-7:00pm | Sunday, May 28, 10:00am-7:00pm, across the bridge from Willow Island

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 $2.3 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.