Kraut Festival

By: © Nelson Taylor 2008

Festival Location: Franksville, WI, USA

Festival State: Wisconsin Festivals

Festival Type(s): Food Festivals , Food and Drink Festivals, Multicultural Festivals

What kind of Kraut Festival would be worth a weener without a sauerkraut eating contest? Well, certainly not this one. And not only is this the only kraut festival in America, it's the only kraut eating contest in the world. Are you kidding? Come on you German blockheads, get with the picture! Since way back in 1950, the town of Franksville, "The Cabbage Capital of the World," has been hosting this event. Now it's an annual late-June affair that packs them in. People pay $1 a piece (or $5 a carload for bargain shoppers) to witness people like 17-year old Kyle Woller put down 15.1 ounces of kraut in 42.2 seconds. He's the 1999 Champ. His technique? "Don't chew, just swallow," he says. Contestants must use a fork. And the plate of kraut must remain on the table. There are three divisions of competition: Men's (2 pounds/2minutes), Women's (1 ½ pounds/2 minutes), Children's (1 pound/1minute). Anyone can enter, that is anyone who doesn't mind upchucking a little kraut for the hungry crowd.