The event has been held every Memorial Day weekend since 1983, when it was launched by Tom Metcalfe, an area businessman who owned the Hilldale Mall location of Sentry Foods in Madison.

Initially held in the parking lot in front of the Metcalfe's Sentry store, the event was intended as a customer appreciation event for those who shopped there, but soon evolved into a fundraiser for local charities.

[1][2] Bratwurst, hot dogs, and soft drinks are served at the festival.

Tom Metcalfe's sons, Tim and Kevin, are now coordinators for the event.

During the 2011 Wisconsin protests, it was made public that the main sponsor of Bratfest, Johnsonville Foods, sent large contributions towards the election of the Republican Governor Scott Walker.