Wisconsin has a wide variety of food festivals overflowing with delicious culinary delights for everyone’s taste buds. In addition to the fests mentioned in the October issue of Leisure Group Travel, here are a few more to whet your appetite:
Madison offers the World’s Largest Brat Fest, held every Memorial Day weekend over four days. The festival, presented by Johnsonville and Metcalfe’s Market, began back in 1983 when Tom Metcalfe cooked brats to thank customers for coming to his family-owned grocery store. As attendance grew through the years, Metcalfe decided to donate the proceeds to organizations that volunteered with the festival. The festival features the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, kayaking for kids a carnival midway. From Brat Fest came Brat Fest Endowment, a foundation that helps organizations and community projects, and the Brat Fest Bike Team, which raises money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. (www.bratfest.com)
The Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival, honoring the state’s cheese industry, takes place in Little Chute the first full weekend in June, featuring cheese carving demonstrations, cheese tasting, cheese curd eating contest, a cheesecake contest, cheese breakfast and parade. Also on the agenda: music, amusement rides, a parade, animal petting zoo, children’s activities and a walk/run. (www.littlechutewi.org)
Since 1964, Port Washington has celebrated Port Washington Fish Day. Held on the third Saturday in July, the festival offers fish, shrimp, chips and a smoked-fish eating contest. Other entertainment includes a water soccer fight, the Fish Day Run and Walk, parade, a carnival, car show, fireworks and five stages of entertainment. (www.portfishday.com)
Cedarburg offers the Wine & Harvest Festival every September. Held since 1972, the event offers such tasty treats as steamed corn, caramel apples, apple cider, kettle corn, turkey legs, homemade ice-cream, burgers and brats. The Farmer’s Market has herbs, apples, flowers, plants and seasonal fruits and vegetables. The Marketplace offers locally produced food such as honey, syrup, cheese, sausage and jellies. The festival has a grape stomp, apple-bobbing contests, live entertainment and craft vendors. Wine by the glass is available at Cedar Creek Winery booths. Winery tours are also available. (www.cedarburgfestivals.org)
