There are some events around UW-Madison's campus that will please any food lover's heart, like strolling through Saturdays' Farmers' Market on the Capitol Square or enjoying a beer on Memorial Union Terrace. But, if you're staying in Madison this summer, consider checking out some unique savory events to satisfy your senses.
Concerts on the Square
At 7 p.m. every Wednesday night starting June 27, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra performs at the State Capitol. Free of charge, attendees can sit on the Capitol lawn and enjoy the concert.
""Concertgoers can begin laying blankets out to save their spots at 3 p.m., no earlier,"" said Tracy Fischer, Marketing Manager for the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. ""It is enforced by Capitol security guards,"" said Fischer, ""but to get a good spot we recommend arriving as close to 3 p.m. as possible!""
Boxed dinners can be purchased by WCO's vendors, with tents set around the square. Last year's menu included eight vendors, ranging from Uno Chicago Grill's sausage deep dish pizza ($7), The Casbah's classic Greek pie, Spanakotiropita ($7) to SukhoThai's spicy crazy noodles ($8.50). Additionally, Curt's Popcorn and Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream were available.
WCO also has a beverage booth set up where Pepsi products ($1.75), Great Dane beer ($3.50) and Wollersheim Winery wines ($3.50 glass, $10 bottle) can be purchased.
""One of the nice points about Concerts on the Square is that while we do have alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available at our booth, patrons are welcome to bring their own,"" Fischer said. Often, concertgoers opt to bring their own picnic baskets with dinner to the concert as well.
Lasting for six consecutive Wednesdays until Aug. 1, attending Concerts on the Square allows for a relaxing summer night filled with music, food and conversation.
Brat Fest
""We usually have more than one person get the food, because carrying 20 hot dogs, 10 brats and two liters of soda can get complicated,"" UW-Madison senior Kari Jordan said.
Each year, Jordan attends Madison's Brat Fest with family and friends.
""Once we find a table, we take turns making a hike to the condiments tent,"" said Jordan. ""There have been over seven kinds of mustard, multiple colors of ketchup, onions, relish and massive quantities of sauerkraut.""
Brat Fest, which now claims to be the world's largest brat fest, started 25 years ago at Metcalfe Sentry Foods, 726 Midvale Blvd.
""It started with a Weber grill and a few chairs as a customer appreciation event in the Sentry Hilldale parking lot,"" said Jody Whitsitt, Special Events Coordinator for Madison Festivals, Inc. After moving to Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison Festivals, Inc. has contributed to Brat Fest's planning and production.
Brat Fest only has three food items on their menu: Johnsonville Brat ($1.50), Oscar Mayer Hot Dog ($1.00) or a vegetarian Boca Brat ($1.50).
Whitsitt expects more than 100,000 people to attend Brat Fest over Memorial Day weekend. This year the fest hopes to break the 2004 record of 189,432 brats consumed.
""Since the last Brat Fest, I have actually tried a Brat,"" said Jordan, who used to consume hot dogs at the Fest. ""I am looking forward to Brat Fest even more now.""
Taste of Madison
Also coordinated by Madison Festivals, Inc., the Taste of Madison has taken place every Labor Day weekend for the past 25 years. Taste of Madison boasts of hosting more than 60 local restaurants, four entertainment stages and 16 beverage stands in the two-day period.
""Invitations are issued to a database of Madison restaurants in March,"" said Whitsitt, but ""all restaurants are welcome to apply.""
According to Whitsitt, last year's vendors offered gourmet cheesecake to barbecue and unique ethnic dishes.
""This is definitely an event where you can count on tasting some familiar dishes, but you can also sample something a little different,"" Whitsitt said.
UW-Madison graduate student Erin Butters agrees.
""It's just like pieces of a meal,"" Butters said. ""You can munch on one thing you already love and still try something completely new.""
Items from various restaurant vendors are priced at $1 to $4 dollars and are kept at small portions.
""I also love the fact that you can get to know a couple of the smaller restaurants you wouldn't have otherwise tried,"" Butters said.
