NBC15 Take Your Brat to Work Day ends with more than 24,000 brats served

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The lines wrapped around Willow Island all morning long as brat lovers were ready to start their Memorial Day weekend with the best breakfast of the year: that’s right, a brat.

The first customers began arriving at the Alliant Energy Center as early as 3:30 a.m., with NBC15 Chief Meteorologist Charlie Shortino claiming the first brat of the day. By the time the last person pulled away, more than 24,000 brats had been sold.

The Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages made their way to Willow Island all the way out from American Family Field, delivering brats to people as they waited in their cars.

Brat Man Tim Metcalfe called “Take Your Brat to Work Day” a tradition for many businesses, as a way to say ‘thank you’ to their employees.

“You know it’s just amazing,” Metcalfe said. “I’m actually getting pictures on my phone of construction workers out on sites holding up brats because their employer brought them brats this morning, so its just the love is just spreading out from Willow Island, it’s just really great to be part of.”

Special guests, including NBC15′s John Stofflet, Leigh Mills, Michelle Baik, and Phoebe Murray, joined The Morning Show team throughout the event, which ran until 9 a.m.

If you’re heading out to Brat Fest this weekend, be sure to check out the Brat Fest website for a full music lineup, list of events and information to know before you head out the door.

Hundreds of volunteers make Brat Fest happen every year. With their help, the Madison event raises money for more than one hundred local charities to keep their programs running. Volunteers are still needed for Sunday, anyone who wants to lend a hand can sign up now at bratfest.com

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