Location: Sheboygan, WI
History was made in Wisconsin at the Johnsonville Brat eating contest when Sonya Thomas downed 35 of the favorites in Wisconsin.
Joey Chestnut of San Jose followed closed behind with a convincing 34 and 1/2 and Richard LeFevre impressed with 30.
The contest was held on August 6 as part of the annual Johnsonville Brat Days at Kiwanis Park in Sheboygan, WI, hosted by the Sheboygan Jaycees and Johnsonville Sausage. The world championship featured a total of $11,000 in prize money (with $4,000 going to first place).
There was also an amateur competition which showcased Wisconsin's best brat eaters.
The first Brat Days festival was held in 1953 and has since provided brat lovers from all over the country with a one-of-a-kind brat experience. Brat Days is also the largest fundraiser for the Sheboygan Jaycees, having raised more than $150,000 over the last 10 years. Proceeds from the festival are returned to the community through organizations such as the Sheboygan Recreation Department, Above and Beyond Children’s Museum, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.
Wisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is the number one national brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links. Johnsonville Sausage products are available in 39 countries including France, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, China and the United States. Johnsonville employs 1,000 members. Each of them takes ownership of product quality to ensure the excellence and "Big Taste" of Johnsonville Sausage. Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. & Alice Stayer, the company remains privately owned today.