More Than 200,000 Brats Expected to Be Sold During Memorial Day Weekend Event
Record-Breaking Attempt to Raise Funds for Host of Groups and Charities
MADISON, Wis., May 15 /PRNewswire/ — The 2007 Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Fest is fired up for this year’s Memorial Day weekend, in an attempt to shatter the current world record of 189,432 brats sold during a single event. In addition to setting a world record, the Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Fest raises funds for more than 70 groups and charities all weekend long. The “thrill of the grill” event is taking place from Friday, May 25, through Monday, May 28, in Madison, Wisconsin.
“There’s nothing like kicking off the summer with a cookout among family and friends,” said Tim Metcalfe, owner of Metcalfe Sentry Foods and founding member of the Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Fest. “This year marks the fest’s 25th anniversary, welcoming brat-lovers from all over the country to Madison, Wisconsin and raising more than $500,000 since 1983. The world-record goal is a big one, but we’re not sweating it, because we know we’ll have the great taste of Johnsonville brats helping us achieve this feat.”
According to Metcalfe, the fest goal is to serve more than 200,000 brats, breaking the current record of 189,432 brats sold. That comes to approximately 104 brats consumed each minute during the four-day festival. If stacked end-to-end the total number of brats served would measure nearly 19 miles.
Key to the record-breaking effort is the Johnsonville Big Taste Grill. The Big Taste Grill weighs 53,000 pounds and is 6 feet in diameter, 20 feet tall and 65 feet long. It has the ability to satisfy about 2,500 brat-lovers each hour. The Big Taste Grill will be joined by 20 other 6-foot grills at the event.
Johnsonville has been making brats for more than half a century, and their tried-and-true recipe has proven to be the best flavor on the grill. In fact, a recent taste-test conducted by Johnsonville showed that more people preferred the taste of Johnsonville brats — even without their favorite condiments — over other popular cookout foods, including a chicken breast sandwich, hamburger or hot dog.
“We’re proud to be part of this longstanding tradition, and we look forward to helping take the event to a whole new level this year,” said Jim Mueller, general manager of fresh brats for Johnsonville. “Raising money for charities, bringing together the community and breaking records isn’t just fun, it’s a natural fit for Johnsonville. One way we help people is by supporting the Wisconsin tradition of brat fries for charity. This is the ultimate charity brat fry.”
In addition to selling a record-breaking number of brats this year, the Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Festival will also feature several celebrity cashiers. Brats will be sold for $1.50, and funds raised from the event will go to a host of groups and charities, including Special Olympics, the Boys and Girls Club of America and others. Additionally, rides and other activities will be available for event attendees of all ages.
Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Fest
Friday, May 25, through Monday, May 28
Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin
11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday – Sunday
11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday.
For more information about the Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Fest, visit www.bratfest.com, and for grilling tips, recipes and more to help make your Memorial Day cookout a success, visit www.johnsonville.com.
Fun facts about Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Fest:* Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Festival is setting out to serve as
many as 200,000 brats, breaking the current world record of 189,432
brats served at a single event.* When stacked end-to-end, 200,000 brats would span about 19 miles.
* 2007 marks the 25th anniversary of the event. Since its inception,
about 2 million brats have been sold.* The Johnsonville World’s Largest Brat Fest has raised more than
$500,000 for charity, benefiting more than 70 organizations.About Johnsonville Sausage
Wisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is the number one national brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links. Johnsonville Sausage products are available in 39 countries including France, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, China and the United States. Johnsonville employs 1,000 members. Each of them takes ownership of product quality to ensure the excellence and “Big Taste” of Johnsonville Sausage. Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. & Alice Stayer, the company remains privately owned today.
Source: Johnsonville Sausage
