MADISON, Wis. — A popular Memorial Day weekend tradition is back in Madison. 

Brat Fest 2020 was canceled because of the pandemic. The 2021 event was scaled back, and run through different businesses. 

This year though, the festival has again taken over Alliant Energy Center’s Willow Island. 

Volunteers log hours for specific nonprofits, and those nonprofits get a portion of the sales. More than 100 charities will benefit from the 2022 event. 

Dozens of volunteers staff the grills. Paul Podehl is in charge of all of them, with a special title: Grill Sergeant. 

“I think I got that [title] because when I burned too many brats, they got me off the grills,” Podehl laughed. 

He seems to have a gift for burning brats. However, there’s a lid for every pot. 

“There are a few people that like their brats really well done,” he said. “Years ago, I had an older lady who would go to the cashier, buy a bun, and come back to my grill because she knew I’d burn one for her.” 

It’s Podehl’s 21st year volunteering at Brat Fest. It’s his job to make sure the brat tent is always stocked with exactly what they need. 

“I supervise the grills and direct where grillers go, what product they’re grilling, how fast they’re going, how full to keep the grills,” he said. “Just to keep up with production for the big tent where things are being sold.” 

The volunteer opportunity is close to his heart. 

“West Madison Special Olympics is the group that we volunteer for. We have a special needs daughter who’s in Special Olympics. She competes in six sports, trains in eight,” he said. “This is the major fundraiser for that group, so we try to put in as many hours as we can.” 

John Kraak has been volunteering on the grills for 17 years now. He missed seeing his friends the last two years. 

“Meeting up with all the people again, it’s been so much fun,” Kraak said. 

Of course, volunteers are there to raise money for a nonprofit they care about. However, they’ve created bonds that strengthen year after year. 

“Ninety percent of us up here on the grills have been grilling for years, so it’s like a family reunion,” said Kraak.

Brat Fest continues Sunday, and will be torn down Monday.