Councilwoman Chappell invites the community to attend the Annual Dainty Contest and Festival

Louisville (July 26, 2023) – Join Councilwoman Jennifer Chappell (D-15) at the 53rd Annual World Championship Dainty Contest and Festival, set to begin on Saturday, July 29 and will run through Monday, July 31.

The Dainty Contest is a cherished tradition that brings the community together for a lively and spirited competition. The event is deeply rooted in the community’s history and showcases the dexterity, precision, and fellowship of participants in a celebration of skill and tradition.

The game requires participants to use a 5” stick, referred to as “the dainty” and a 3’ stick, referred to as “the bat”. The goal is to use the bat to hit the dainty off the ground into the air, and then strike it again as far as it will go. The competition demands a combination of hand-eye coordination, strategy, and good old-fashioned luck.

There are several rules for participants: players must be 45 or older, three strikes and you’re out (strike is any contact of the bat with the dainty), players must only use one arm, whomever hits the dainty the furthest is declared the winner, and whomever hits the dainty the shortest distance receives a traditional basket of lemons.

“On the last Monday in July, Schnitzelburg crowds onto the sidewalks of George Hauck Way to eat bologna sandwiches, listen to ragtime music, and watch contestants swing a whittled broom stick in hopes of being crowned a World Champion. I’m proud to represent District 15 and share in the excitement of this annual neighborhood tradition. This will be the biggest and best Dainty yet. I hope you’ll join us,” said Councilwoman Chappell.

The festival will kick off on Saturday, July 29, at 5 p.m., with the 3rd Annual Dainty FUNraiser at The Merryweather, located at 1101 Lydia Street. The FUNraiser will feature live music, drink specials, raffles, cake wheel, and more.

The events continue Sunday, July 30, with a full day of family fun beginning at noon at Hauck’s Corner, located at 1000 Goss Avenue. The day includes the Dainty Parade, a dunk tank, the Bologna Sandwich Eating Contest (the traditional dainty meal), bingo, and more.

The celebration culminates with the 53rd Annual World Championship Dainty Contest,on George Hauck Way. The event will feature food trucks, bologna sandwiches, a beer garden, merchandise booths, and world class fun. Player signups begin at 4:30 p.m. onsite, with dignitary play at 5:15 p.m. and open play beginning at 5:30 p.m.

All events will include the Dainty Batting Cage where everyone is invited to try a chance at the dainty. On Monday, anyone over the age of 45 will be restricted from practicing in the batting cage.

Don’t forget to enter the “Schweepstakes” to win prizes and gift cards to your favorite neighborhood locales. Entries are $5 each, and the winners will be drawn during the official Dainty Contest on Monday. You may purchase tickets at any of the festival events. For more information, please visit https://www.daintyfest.org/schweepstakes. All proceeds will benefit the Dainty Fund through the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council.

A full schedule of events is listed online here: https://www.daintyfest.org/schedule.

For more information, please visit https://www.schnitzelburg.org/dainty, https://www.daintyfest.org/, or contact Councilwoman Chappell’s office at 574-1115.

About the Dainty Contest

It was 1971 when George Hauck, Charlie Vettiner, and a few friends from Louisville's Germantown-Schnitzelburg neighborhood first gathered on the corner of Goss and Hoertz Avenue to play an old, German street game and to begin a neighborhood tradition that would span generations. They called it the Dainty.