"Real estate can not be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
When Memorial Day weekend makes its way to Madison, Wisconsin, things
get a little steamy-on the grill, that is. The World's Largest Brat
Fest sets up shop in the parking lot of the Sentry grocery store each
year in Madison, drawing thousands of people from Madison, Milwaukee,
Chicago, and surrounding area. It's not only an attempt to break the
world record of brats consumed over the four days, but also a
fundraising activity for local charities.
The menu is simple;
take your pick of a Johnsonville Brat, Oscar Mayer Hot Dog, or Boca
Brat if you're vegetarian-for just $1.50, you can indulge in this
Wisconsin classic with all your favorite toppings. The classic brat
recipe gives you free reign to top yours with onions, pickles, kraut,
and plenty of ketchup and mustard. Celebrity cashiers and servers are
manning each station; from local news reporters to public figures, you
can mingle with local celebrities and key people in the community while
raising money for the charities involved.
The event has been running
in Madison for over 22 years, and the organizer's website reports that
it has sold 1,890,596 brats so far. The record was set in 2004, with
189,432 Johnsonville Brats consumed in 4 days. If the total brats
consumed over that weekend were stacked end to end, they would span out
179 miles. The final calculation of Brats Consumed per Minute (BPM):
98.7.
Dozens of organizations pitch donations to make this
event a success each year; from Boy Scout Troops to the Madison Youth
Choirs, each organization makes an appearance to help raise funds.
Volunteers are the backbone of Braftest; if you're interested, sign up
for a shift as a Brat Runner, Wrapper, Brat Snipper (the person in
charge of taking the brats out of the box and separating with
scissors), or a Bag Opener (helps keep the lines moving by opening a
bag for customers where the brat is plopped in). You can take a look at
more job descriptions here
So
what can you expect? Rain or shine,the event kicks off on Friday, May
25 at 11 a.m., and runs until 8 p.m. The stands are open and serving
all day on Saturday and Sunday, counting down to Memorial Day Monday to
serve from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Don't be surprised to catch the Oscar Mayer
Wienermobile in action, along with stage entertainment sponsored by the
local radio stations. This year's highlights include Mighty Short Bus,
Studebaker 7, The Soul Brothers Band, and SuperTuesday.
You
can't miss the World's Largest Bratfest when you're in Madison; you're
sure to see the plumes of smoke from the grills hard at work around the
city, but the smell of brats cooking are sure to attract your
attention. Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to get involved!
