Alpine Kiwanis ‘Brat Days’ are here again in Rockford. Here's what you need to know
ROCKFORD — One of the few things better than brats grilled to perfection on a hot summer day is having someone else doing the cooking.
Starting Friday and Saturday, plenty of cooks will be on hand grilling more than 20,000 bratwursts during the Alpine Kiwanis' annual Brat Days.
"We order 22,000 Johnsonville brats and then we order about 3,000 or 4,000 hotdogs, and hopefully we sell them all. That's what our goal is," said Kiwanis spokeswoman Karen Tilly.
Brat Days is the Kiwanis Club's signature fundraising event generating $50,000 to $80,000 each year over the past five years to benefit 20 to 30 local non-profits serving children, the elderly, the disabled and providing youth scholarships for post-secondary education.
Live entertainment and on-site eating also returns after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are five things you need to know to navigate the tasty two-day event.
Things to do in Rockford:Baseball, brats, banjos & big bands: 9 things to do this weekend in the Rockford area
When and where
When and where can I get brats? 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the U-Haul parking lot, East State Street and Mulford Road; and at the Farm and Fleet parking lot, 7300 E. Riverside Blvd. Participants can pick up their brat by drive-thru, walk-up or eat on-site at both locations. "Take your brat to work," will be held from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, at the Farm and Fleet location only.
Cost
How much are tickets? $7 if purchased in advance, $8 at the event.
Advance tickets can be purchased at Blain’s Farm & Fleet, 7300 E. Riverside Blvd., 4725 W. State St. and 4567 E. Rockton Road; Midland States Banks, all four Rockford locations; Mrs. Fisher’s Chips, 1231 Fulton Ave.; Woodman’s, 3155 McFarland Road; Gray’s IGA Foods, 1630 N. Alpine Road; and Members Alliance Credit Union at South Alpine Road and Harrison Avenue, and 6951 Olde Creek Road.
What's on the menu
What do I get for one ticket? Your choice of either a brat, hot dog, a vegetarian brat or meatless barbecue; Mrs. Fisher's Chips and a Pepsi product or water. For orders of 25 or more, call in advance at 779-221-4506.
Alpine Kiwanis
What else does the Alpine Kiwanis do besides Brat Days? The group also sponsors K Kids, Key Clubs, and a Circle K club that builds young leaders; provided $3,000 college scholarships to seven outstanding area students; volunteer Northwest Illinois Special Olympics; ring bells for the Salvation Army; and award grants to local 501-C3 organizations to fund specific projects.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Alpine Kiwanis ‘Brat Days’ returns to Rockford this weekend
