The 41st annual Brat Fest is happening over Memorial Day Weekend in Madison. What you may not know is that Brat Fest started as a customer appreciation grill-out outside of Metcalfe’s Market at Hilldale. This weekend, organizers will welcome roughly 125,000 people to the grounds outside of the Alliant Energy Center. With that many hungry mouths to feed, Brat Fest President Tim Metcalfe says it takes a lot of sausages, and a diversified menu. But he reminds us that there’s more to do than eat. Parking and admission are free at the festival in Madison. You can get all the details at bratfest.com.

The 41st annual Brat Fest is happening over Memorial Day Weekend in Madison. What you may not know is that Brat Fest started as a customer appreciation grill-out outside of Metcalfe’s Market at Hilldale. This weekend, organizers will welcome roughly 125,000 people to the grounds outside of the Alliant Energy Center. With that many hungry mouths to feed, Brat Fest President Tim Metcalfe says it takes a lot of sausages, and a diversified menu. But he reminds us that there’s more to do than eat. Parking and admission are free at the festival in Madison. You can get all the details at bratfest.com.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Brat Fest To Serve More Than 100K Brats

The 2025 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs was selected out of a group of 33 talented individuals. And she is Megan Salentine from the Kewaunee County Fair. 

Salentine will serve a one-year term, and her responsibilities include appearances at Fairs and events throughout the state, working with media, and promoting the importance of Wisconsin Fairs. 

The daughter of John and Jenny Salentine of Luxemburg, Wis., Salentine currently studies elementary education and language arts at St. Norbert College. She is currently a childcare teacher at CP Early Educatoin and Care. From her early days as a Clover Bud to exhibiting projects like cake decorating, sewing, and livestock, Salentine’s love for county fairs began in kindergarten. "I fell in love with the excitement and community spirit of fair week," she shared. "It taught me hard work, dedication, and countless life lessons."

The 2025 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs was selected out of a group of 33 talented individuals. And she is Megan Salentine from the Kewaunee County Fair.&nbsp;
Salentine will serve a one-year term, and her responsibilities include appearances at Fairs and events throughout the state, working with media, and promoting the importance of Wisconsin Fairs.&nbsp;
The daughter of John and Jenny Salentine of Luxemburg, Wis., Salentine currently studies elementary education and language arts at St. Norbert College. She is currently a childcare teacher at CP Early Educatoin and Care. From her early days as a Clover Bud to exhibiting projects like cake decorating, sewing, and livestock, Salentine&rsquo;s love for county fairs began in kindergarten. "I fell in love with the excitement and community spirit of fair week," she shared. "It taught me hard work, dedication, and countless life lessons."

Salentine Crowned 2025 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs

Wisconsin is moving toward renewable energy such as wind and solar. This means there are more opportunities for farmers to add value to their business with solar arrays. But you’re going to want to proceed with caution. Kelly Wilfert is a farm law outreach specialist with the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Kelly is still engaged in her family’s cash grain and processing vegetable farm in Manitowoc County. Kelly says it’s important for farm families to think carefully before signing solar agreements. It’s important to have a cautionary lens with such a long-term commitment.

Wisconsin is moving toward renewable energy such as wind and solar. This means there are more opportunities for farmers to add value to their business with solar arrays. But you&rsquo;re going to want to proceed with caution. Kelly Wilfert is a farm law outreach specialist with the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Kelly is still engaged in her family&rsquo;s cash grain and processing vegetable farm in Manitowoc County. Kelly says it&rsquo;s important for farm families to think carefully before signing solar agreements. It&rsquo;s important to have a cautionary lens with such a long-term commitment.

How To Negotiate A Solar Contract

Tonight, the Wisconsin Association of Fairs will crown the 59th Fairest of the Fairs. Roughly three dozen young women are in the running for the position. At the WAF annual convention in the Wisconsin Dells, we caught up with outgoing Fairest Kelsey Henderson of Racine County before she passes on the crown. She reflects on her year as Wisconsin's fair ambassador. You wouldn't believe how busy she was during fair season! But since Kelsey has been attending fairs since she was in diapers, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Tonight, the Wisconsin Association of Fairs will crown the 59th Fairest of the Fairs. Roughly three dozen young women are in the running for the position. At the WAF annual convention in the Wisconsin Dells, we caught up with outgoing Fairest Kelsey Henderson of Racine County before she passes on the crown. She reflects on her year as Wisconsin's fair ambassador. You wouldn't believe how busy she was during fair season! But since Kelsey has been attending fairs since she was in diapers, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Brat Fest To Serve More Than 100K Brats

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