Celebrate Brat Days in Sheboygan: A Timeless Tradition of Fun, Food, and Community Spirit

Brat Days is back and better than ever! Join us at Kiwanis Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on Friday, August 2, and Saturday, August 3, 2024, for a two-day festival filled with delicious food, exciting activities, and live music. With free admission and no charge for the music acts, Brat Days is a must-attend event for families, friends, and bratwurst enthusiasts from all over.

Festival Highlights

Location and Directions: Kiwanis Park 726 Kiwanis Park Road Sheboygan, WI 53081

Festival Hours:

Friday, August 2, 2024:
- Park Hours: 4:00 pm – 11:30 pm
- Marketplace: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Amusement Rides: 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Memorabilia Tent: 5:00 pm – 11:15 pm
- Johnsonville Main Stage: 5:00 pm – 11:15 pm
- Sheboygan Jaycees Main Food & Soda Stand: 5:00 pm – 11:15 pm
- Shuttle Hours: 5:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Saturday, August 3, 2024:
- Park Hours: 11:00 am – 11:30 pm
- Parade: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- Marketplace: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Amusement Rides: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Sheboygan Jaycees Main Food & Soda Stand: 11:00 am – 11:15 pm
- Memorabilia Tent: 11:00 am – 11:15 pm
- Family Area: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Shuttle Hours: 11:00 am – Midnight
- Johnsonville Main Stage: 11:00 am – 11:15 pm

Parking Information:

Parking in Kiwanis Park: $5.00 (includes motorcycle parking)
Handicapped parking is available near the fieldhouse behind the baseball diamond area.

Free Shuttle Service: Sponsored by Discovery Coach, the free shuttle service operates between Festival Foods and Kiwanis Park. Shuttles run every half-hour:

Friday, August 2, 2024: 5:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Saturday, August 3, 2024: 11:00 am – Midnight

Lodging & Camping: For those needing accommodations, visit Visit Sheboygan for local options. Note that public camping is not available on the Brat Days grounds.

A Rich History

Brat Days has a storied history dating back to 1953 when it was first conceived to celebrate Sheboygan’s centennial. A. Matt Werner, editor of The Sheboygan Press, and the Sheboygan Jaycees spearheaded the event, highlighting the city’s renowned bratwurst. Since then, Brat Days has grown into a beloved annual festival, drawing crowds of up to 100,000 people.

Events and Activities

Live Music Lineup

Enjoy a fantastic array of free live music on the Johnsonville Main Stage:

Friday, August 2, 2024:

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Bare Bones Blind
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Pat McCurdy
9:30 pm – 11:00 pm: Too Hype Crew

Saturday, August 3, 2024:

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: The Dirty Martinis
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Bootjack Road
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Off Kilter
8:30 pm – 11:00 pm: Two For The Show

Amusement Rides

Experience the thrills of the carnival with amusement rides from Lake Enterprises. Ride hours are:

Friday: 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm

Special $15 wristband times:

Friday: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Brat Days Parade

The annual parade is a highlight, starting at 9:00 am on Saturday. The route begins at Center Avenue and 7th Street, goes north on 7th Street to Erie Avenue, west on Erie Avenue to 8th Street, and ends at Center Avenue and 8th Street.

Brat Eating Contest

Test your appetite at the Brat Eating Contest on Saturday at 1:00 pm. Entry fee is $20, and contestants compete to see who can consume the most brats in 10 minutes. Prizes include trophies, Johnsonville products, and Brat Days tickets.

Marketplace

Shop for handmade crafts, independent sales items, and bargains at the Marketplace:

Friday: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Family Area

From 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, the Family Area offers activities for kids and families, making Brat Days a perfect event for all ages.

Giving Back to the Community

Brat Days is not just about fun; it’s also about giving back. The Sheboygan Jaycees team up with the Sheboygan County Food Bank to collect canned food donations. Bring three non-perishable items to receive $1 off parking in Kiwanis Park. Items in need include canned fruit, canned chicken, canned tuna, spaghetti sauce, and pasta.

The festival also features the Charity Challenge, where local nonprofit organizations volunteer at the event to earn donations. The organization with the most volunteer hours receives an extra $500, with additional prizes for the second and third most hours.

Brat Days is a time-honored celebration of Sheboygan’s rich bratwurst heritage, community spirit, and vibrant local culture. With free admission, live music, thrilling rides, and numerous activities, it’s an event that brings together people of all ages for a weekend of unforgettable fun and festivity. Join us at Kiwanis Park on August 2-3, 2024, and be part of the tradition!

For more information, visit the Brat Days website and follow us on social media for updates and announcements. Don’t miss out on this quintessential Sheboygan experience!

We encourage you to share your favorite Brat Days memories in the comments below. Like and share this article to spread the word about Sheboygan’s beloved festival. See you at Brat Days!