nds76
03-01-2006, 5:35pm
(AP) SHEBOYGAN Calling it a disgusting event, a former Sheboygan city attorney has asked that a bratwurst eating contest no longer be held as part of the Sheboygan Jaycees' annual Brat Days.
Clarence Mertz, 84, said the contest promotes gluttony, food waste and an unhealthy lifestyle, and he asked that an advisory referendum be held to ask Sheboygan residents if they want it to continue.
"It's gross," he said. "This is a situation where you are saying to the young children that it's OK to overeat. In fact, we sponsor a contest to reward the person who overeats the most. Overeating is an epidemic among young children. They should be told overeating is bad for their health."
The brat-eating contest has been part of the festival dating back to the 1950s, said Tom Wolff, director of marketing with Johnsonville Sausage, which is one of the event's sponsors.
"It's entertainment, that's all it is," Wolff said. "This last year had one of the biggest draws we've ever seen. There was probably 2,000 people sitting out there for two hours, and they enjoyed it."
Segments on the 2005 event were carried on ESPN and CNN, showing 37-year-old Sonya Thomas from Alexandria, Va., set a record by consuming 35 brats in 10 minutes.
"Anytime Sheboygan is on TV in regards to tourism and in a favorable light, that's good for the community," said Kim Swisher, manager of the city's tourism division.
The event grew last year as competitors from the International Federation of Competitive Eating got involved, and Wolff said the festival is interested in bringing the group back this year.
But Johnsonville would listen if the community decides it would rather not have a nationally recognized eating contest, Wolff said.
"To me it's up to the community to decide what's best for the community," Wolff said. "I think a lot of people look at it as a fun part of Brat Days, a fun part of our tradition. If the people in the community change their mind, I think we have to be respectful of that."
Sheboygan County Clerk Julie Glancey said it was too late to get an advisory referendum on the April ballot and the next scheduled election is the September primary -- after the festival is held in August.
http://wfrv.com/topstories/local_story_060111429.html
Clarence Mertz, 84, said the contest promotes gluttony, food waste and an unhealthy lifestyle, and he asked that an advisory referendum be held to ask Sheboygan residents if they want it to continue.
"It's gross," he said. "This is a situation where you are saying to the young children that it's OK to overeat. In fact, we sponsor a contest to reward the person who overeats the most. Overeating is an epidemic among young children. They should be told overeating is bad for their health."
The brat-eating contest has been part of the festival dating back to the 1950s, said Tom Wolff, director of marketing with Johnsonville Sausage, which is one of the event's sponsors.
"It's entertainment, that's all it is," Wolff said. "This last year had one of the biggest draws we've ever seen. There was probably 2,000 people sitting out there for two hours, and they enjoyed it."
Segments on the 2005 event were carried on ESPN and CNN, showing 37-year-old Sonya Thomas from Alexandria, Va., set a record by consuming 35 brats in 10 minutes.
"Anytime Sheboygan is on TV in regards to tourism and in a favorable light, that's good for the community," said Kim Swisher, manager of the city's tourism division.
The event grew last year as competitors from the International Federation of Competitive Eating got involved, and Wolff said the festival is interested in bringing the group back this year.
But Johnsonville would listen if the community decides it would rather not have a nationally recognized eating contest, Wolff said.
"To me it's up to the community to decide what's best for the community," Wolff said. "I think a lot of people look at it as a fun part of Brat Days, a fun part of our tradition. If the people in the community change their mind, I think we have to be respectful of that."
Sheboygan County Clerk Julie Glancey said it was too late to get an advisory referendum on the April ballot and the next scheduled election is the September primary -- after the festival is held in August.
http://wfrv.com/topstories/local_story_060111429.html