New this year on Willow Island: double brats
Madison will start sizzling Friday with thousands of brats hitting the grills during the 26th annual World's Largest Brat Fest at Willow Island on the Alliant Energy Center grounds.
Brat Fest organizers hope to break the 2004 record of 189,432 brats sold during the four-day festival, with this year's goal to sell more than 200,000 brats.
Big eaters will be happy to learn "double brats" will be sold for the first time. These consist of two bratwurst in a single bun.
Hot dogs and boca (vegetarian) brats will also be for sale. All single sandwiches are $1.50, while the double brat costs $3.
Celebrity cashiers ranging from Jessica Doyle, first lady of Wisconsin, to Madison Streets Superintendent Al Schumacher are scheduled to man the cash registers during the four days.
Brat Fest will be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday.
For more information, go to the fest Web site at www.bratfest.com.
The anti-brat brat fest, Vegetarian Brat Fest, is also set for Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. at Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave. Veggie Brat Fest features "tofurky" sausages, a tofu-based vegetarian product.
For more info, go to the Web site www.veggiebratfest.com.
File photo
Volunteer Joshua Feran, 9, Madison, carries a pan of brats to the sales tent at last year's Brat Fest.
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