Photos: How the World's Largest Brat Fest grew over the years
Brat Fest got its start in 1983, when Tom and Margaret Metcalfe set up a small brat fry stand outside their grocery store at Hilldale Shopping Center. Starting with one Weber grill, it looked nothing like the huge festival that is now held each Memorial Day weekend at Alliant Energy Center. This year's festival gets under way Friday and lasts through Monday. Here's a look at how the festival evolved over the years.
Starting a tradition, 1983
Tom Metcalfe mans the grill in 1983 at the very first brat fest, held outside his Sentry grocery store in Hilldale Shopping Center. Tom and his wife, Margaret, launched the event with a table, three chairs and a Weber grill as a way to thank their customers. They cooked brats and sold them for 50 cents.
The early years, mid-1980s
Tom Metcalfe is decked out for Brat Fest during the early years, likely in 1984.
Working on Labor Day, 1995
Kevin Metcalfe works at Brat Fest on Sept. 3, 1995. The family used to hold the event twice a year -- on Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Growing crowd, late 1990s
The crowd keeps growing at Brat Fest, shown here likely between 1997 and 2000.
Metcalfe men at Brat Fest, late 1990s
Tom Metcalfe works with his sons Tim, left, and Kevin during Brat Fest. This photo was likely taken between 1997 and 2000.
Sharing of tradition, 2002
Mark Vassallo of Shorewood Hills shares a brat with his 1-year-old son Dylan on May 24, 2002, at Brat Fest, held at Hilldale outside Metcalfe's grocery store.
Celebrity cashiers, 2002
Signs at Brat Fest in 2002 highlight celebrity cashiers, including many local officials.
Brat No. 1,000,000
Brat Fest sells its millionth brat in 2002.
Last time at Hilldale, 2004
Brat Fest officials said they set a world record in 2004 when they sold 189,432 brats in the parking lot at Hilldale. That festival, pictured here, proved to be a turning point, showing the Metcalfes they needed to find a bigger location. Brat Fest moved to the Alliant Center the following year.
Moves to Alliant Center, 2005
The crowd at Brat Fest, pictured here on May 27, 2005, gets room to breathe at Willow Island at the Alliant Center. The festival had been held at Hilldale Shopping Center, where it got its start in 1983.
Quenching thirst, 2006
Taking a break from grilling up brats in oppressive heat on May 28, 2006, volunteer Bill McCarthy quenches his thirst during the World's Largest Brat Fest at the Alliant Center. It takes a small army of men and women to grill thousands of brats.
Chowing down, 2009
Everyone had brats on the brain May 22, 2009, as another summer kicked off with Madison's annual Brat Fest. Clayton Luther, 13, of Cottage Grove, chowed down during lunch.
Making a kraut run, 2011
Tim Metcalfe unloads sauerkraut from one of his Sentry store's trucks during Brat Fest at the Alliant Energy Center's Willow Island on May 28, 2011.
Grilling at Brat Fest, 2013
Jason Bednarski, right, and Chris LaRowe tend grills on the opening day of the World's Largest Brat Fest in 2013 on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center.
Puttng on a show, 2015
Christina Chriss, singer for the band Kaleido, performs during the band's afternoon set at the World's Largest Brat Fest on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center on May 22, 2015.Â
Tending the grill, 2015
Susie Jimenez tends a grill at the World's Largest Brat Fest at the Alliant Energy Center on May 22, 2015.
Getting a grip, 2016
Oliver Liu, 18 months, eats corn on the cob held by his mother, Zheng Zeng, during Brat Fest in May 2016.
Working the Wowballs, 2017
Children enjoy the Wowballs at Brat Fest on May 27, 2017.
Taking a big bite, 2017
Seven-year-old Jonah Hubbard works on finishing off a mustard-lathered brat on May 26, 2017.
Hot job, 2018
Volunteers, from left, Nathan Hill, and Emilio Morales, both from DeForest, sport wet towels on their heads to keep cool as they cook bratwurst sausages during Brat Fest on Willow Island at Alliant Energy Center in Madison on May 26, 2018.
Some 75 acts to perform at free festival over Memorial Day weekend.Â
Raise your glass to the best of the wurst in Madison Memorial Day weekend.
Summer is here, and it won't last long. So come on, people. Enjoy! Here are 10 sure signs that it's summer in Wisconsin.
