I got your bratworst, right here..
Posted on 05/10/2007 6:10:49 PM PDT by SJackson
The World's Largest Brat Fest has attracted the world's largest sausage company as its official sponsor.
The 23rd annual charity brat fry, held over Memorial Day Weekend on Willow Island, becomes the Johnsonville World's Largest Brat Festival this year. The event will still be presented by Metcalfe Sentry Foods, which originated and organizes the festival.
Prices have also gone up. Brats, many cooked on Johnsonville's 2,500-brat-per-hour touring Big Taste Grill, will cost $1.50, up from $1.
Adding corporate naming rights and increasing prices is intended to cover increased event cost and to generate more income for some 30 participating charity groups.
"It's a big deal for us. We've been courting them for years," said Tim Metcalfe of the first big-name sponsorship of the event. "It was a difficult decision on our part because this is Madison's event and to put someone else's name on top of that was difficult."
Jim Mueller, group marketing manager at Johnsonville Sausage Co., said it made sense for the firm to step up as sponsor. Johnsonville for the past four years has participated in the event as part of its Big Taste Grill tour. This year, it will provide all brats for the festival as well as marketing support in addition to bringing the big grill.
"One way we can help our business and help people is with this concept of brat fries for charity," said Mueller, "This is the ultimate brat fry for charity."
Three years ago, the event was moved from Sentry's parking lot at the Hilldale Shopping Center to the Alliant Center's Willow Island because of construction at the mall. The change of venue increased the expense of running the event, Metcalfe said.
In addition, charity groups staffing the event to raise money will get their first raise since the event moved to the Alliant Center. This year, charity groups will earn $8 per man hour they staff the festival.
That will mean a big bump in income to groups including the West Madison Special Olympics and Madison Area Youth Special Olympics.
According to John Weichelt, Special Olympics Wisconsin regional director of development, additional income from the festival will give Special Olympics athletes more chances to compete in events and purchase uniforms.
In addition to bands and carnival rides, the event will attempt to capture an official world record for brats served this year. Mueller said the event hopes to sell 200,000 brats and get the record confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records. The festival record is 189,432 brats consumed, set in 2004.
Technically, a properly grilled bratwurst is not “fried”, and that comes from someone in the Pacific Northwest. (I’m quite fond of a properly grilled brat.)
Shame. Johnsonville Brats suck. In fact, they’re the worst I’ve tasted.
The thought of attending the brat-fest is somewhat appealing but I honestly cannot stand Madison. It is sooo left. Funny that the paper’s logo includes a star.
there’s nothing better than a real german
bratwurst with a side of kraut!
Johnny Sausage (Johann Wurst) Lutheran ping!!!
Ich werde gleich mal da sein, Frau Knost!
Hillary needs to hold congressional hearings regarding the unfair business practices of Big Bologna!
Maybe Julie P. will attend.
Yikes...you forgot us in IL!
That reminds me of the pervert flasher in “Pink Flamingos.” I’d post the pic here, but I don’t wanna get banned. ;-)
;)
I agree. The very best are from Usingers, the great Milwaukee sausage company.
We go every year.
Pretty soon we’ll have the stories of the Vegans protesting it, and the continued demand for Tofu Brats. It happens every year. *Rolleyes*
Get your OWN friggin’ party and your OWN sponsors, you Vegan Phreaks! Leave we Carnivores alone!
How often do you hear of Carnivores demanding meat be served during “Earth Day” galas or whatever? Yeesh!
Johnsonville? They’re the wurst I’ve tasted--and enjoyed!
This thread is making me hungry.
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