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Meatpacking
has been a major Wisconsin industry since the nineteenth
century, thanks in large part to the traditions of the
state’s significant German-American population. Wisconsinites
produce and consume large quantities of all kinds of
sausages, but the bratwurst (brat) is the type that
has achieved iconic status. This sausage has become
a staple at picnics, tailgate parties, and "brat
frys."
Special community events help promote
the association of brats with Wisconsin. Since 1953
Sheboygan has held its Bratwurst Days Festival, and
since 1984 a Sentry supermarket in Madison has held
a semi-annual event now touted as the "World’s
Largest Bratfest."
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| Bratwurst
festival, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, ca. 1955. Courtesy of
Mead Public Library, Sheboygan, (Image 272) |
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