‘Critical need’ for Brat Fest volunteers

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The World’s Largest Brat Fest needs your help to happen this year.

‘Brat Man’ Tim Metcalfe of Metcalfe’s Markets says there’s a critical need for volunteers. Almost 2,000 shifts need to be filled throughout the weekend.

To sign up to volunteer, click HERE.

Right now, Brat Fest only has about 60% of the volunteers they need to make things run smoothly at Willow Island. Without enough people lending a helping hand, Metcalfe says they may have to cancel some parts of the weekend.

“We don’t want to make any changes, but we also want to make sure we have a safe environment for all of our guests,” said Metcalfe. “We don’t want to do those things, so sign up today and make sure that we can do Brat Fest that we have always done it.”

One of the biggest days in need of volunteers is Friday, May 27 for Take Your Brat to Work Day. Nearly 120 volunteer positions are vacant.

Metcalfe says you don’t need to be a grill master to sign up and help.

“We need volunteers wrapping brats, setting up condiments, cleaning tables, directing traffic,” he said. “There are so many different jobs that you can do.”

If you are heading out of town for the holiday weekend, you can still help volunteer to set up or tear down for the Brat Fest events. There are several set-up positions that need to be filled during the Sunday-Thursday before Take Your Brat to Work Day.

When you volunteer for Brat Fest, every hour that you work turns into a donation for a Brat Fest Charity of your choice.

Mary Lindquist has volunteered at Brat Fest since 2004 and chooses to donate her “hours worked” to West Madison Special Olympics.

She says she returns year after year because of the people.

“It’s being with everybody,” said Lindquist. “It’s the camaraderie and that it all goes to a good cause.”

On a typical year, you may find Lindquist rolling up brats.

“It’s very easy,” she joked. “It’s something everybody can do.”

Anita Allison also volunteers her Brat Fest time for West Madison Special Olympics. She says the money they raise through volunteering makes a big difference.

“This helps finance all of what we need in order to support sports that go all year-round,” said Allison.

She also said many Special Olympics coaches and athletes volunteer throughout Brat Fest weekend too.

“That where we want them to help participate,” Allison said. “It gives them an opportunity to be out in the community and really show what they’re capable of doing.”

Brat Fest organizers say because this is the 40th Brat Fest and it’s the first one back on Willow Island in two years, they also need volunteers because they’re expecting record crowds.

“It’s been cold and people want to get outside, smell a brat, and gather as a family on Memorial Day weekend,” said Metcalfe. “It really could be a huge weekend and so we need volunteers badly.”

For more information on Brat Fest or Brat Fest Charities you can volunteer your time for, click HERE.

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