The Annual Jaycee’s Brat Days In Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Brat Days in Sheboygan, Wisconsin proves to be as great as it has been since 1953. Although the World Brat Eating Championship will not be held this year due to controversy from area residents, the festival will still have the local brat-eating contest for anyone to compete at 12:00PM on Saturday. The festivities start Thursday August 2 with Pat McCurdy, the musician comic who comes from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to perform in front of a crowd at Kiwanis Park. His weird sense of humor and acoustic guitar playing makes a spectacular show. Food and beer are available from 4:00PM until 10:00Pm.

Friday night August 3 brings Dokken, a popular band from the 1980’s with song like “Alone Again” and “Just Got Lucky”. The show will be one that attracts all different age groups. Food and beer are available from 5:00PM until 11:00PM. Saturday starts Brat Days off with the annual Brat parade. The parade starts at 9:00Am on Center Avenue and 8th Street heading north to Erie Avenue, down Erie Avenue to North 17th Street, ending at Kiwanis Park. The Park starts serving beer and food at 9:00AM.

The festivities begin with the parade and carry on throughout the day with a flea market along the riverfront. Entertainment throughout the day includes The Music Vendors at 10:00AM in the Johnsonville tent and Soul Asylum at 8:45PM on the main stage.

Other performers throughout the three days include Copper Box, Poor J, The Barbeez, The Rockford Mules and The Good Luck Joes. Other groups include Southbound, Ha Ha Tonka, Blues Highway, Trick Pony, Renegade, The Boogie Men, Justin & Tornek as well as Band X, Boxkar and Double Vision. There will also be a Stumpf Fiddle Contest at 1:00PM on Saturday.

The Jaycee’s do not forget about the family at Brat Days. Families enjoy many different activities at Fountain Park on 8th Street and Erie Avenue from the time of the parade until 5:00PM. They have a petting zoo, pony rides, clowns, shows and more for all the kids to enjoy. Food is available at the family site as well as drinks for the kids.

All proceeds from the annual event goes back into the community by way of charities including the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Cancer Society and various other organizations that help people in need. The Jaycee’s are able to do this because all workers are volunteers who sign up to work the food tents, beer tents, cooking and all areas of need. Come to the Sheboygan Brat Days this year or any year after for fun, excitement and to meet wonderful people who care.

Sheboygan's Annual Brat Days

Sheboygan has a festival that occurs annually since 1953. Brat Days has a long run in the city and has over the years become the necessary thing to do in Sheboygan. In the early years, the event was held on 8th street and people from everywhere came to enjoy brats and beer. Entertainment has changed over the years, but it was for the better. After moving to Kiwanis Park, Brat Days spread out over the entire area. Today, you have a family spot at Fountain Park and the big entertainers and brat-eating contest at Kiwanis Park.

The proceeds that come from the event have filtered back into the community, providing various charities with a substantial amount of money to help keep them open. The Jaycee’s host the annual event and other events throughout the year. In 2006, ESPN broadcast the Championship Brat Eating contest where people from all over the world participated. Brat Days sure has changed over the years. Every year they seem to get better and provide more things to do than just drink beer and eat brats.

The controversy surrounding the brat-eating contest surfaced in 2005, when one local resident complained about overstuffing yourself. This has been the topic of discussion every year before and after the completion. Will it stop? Not if Sheboygan residents continue to support it.

I remember going to Brat Days as a young girl on 8th Street where J.C. Penney’s and H.C. Pranges were located. There also was a Woolworth’s store. The streets were filled with people and the smell of brat and smoke filter throughout the streets. The one thing that has not changed is the flea market that takes place every year, only now it is located at the main event by Kiwanis Park.

Fountain Park hosts the family side of the event with activities throughout the day for children. They have brats and other foods for the little ones to enjoy as well.