56th Annual Dainty Festival kicks off this weekend in Louisville's Schnitzelburg neighborhood

The Dainty Contest is held on the last Monday of July each year on George Hauck Way, near Goss Avenue.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The 56th Annual Dainty Festival kicks off this weekend, leading up to the annual World Championship Dainty Contest on Monday.

The Dainty Contest is held on the last Monday of July each year on George Hauck Way, near Goss Avenue. This year, the German game that dates back centuries will return to the streets of Louisville's Schnitzelburg neighborhood at 4 p.m. Monday, July 27.

Contestants, who must be 45 years or older, use a broomstick to try to hit a 5-inch peg called a dainty as far as possible.

The Dainty Contest started in 1971 when George Hauck, Charlie Vettiner and others gathered at the corner of Goss and Hoertz avenues to play the German street game.

A weekend of festivities leads up to the big day. The Dainty Pre-Game Carnival and FUNdraiser is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, with the 6th Annual Dainty Pre-Games. The block party, carnival and fundraiser for the Dainty starts at 4 p.m. with the Dainty Parade through Schnitzelburg, starting at Monnik Beer Co. At 5 p.m., the Dainty Pre-Games will be held at The MerryWeather. The event consists of carnival games, a cake wheel, food, drinks and merch booths. There will also be an Ohio Valley Wrestling show from 6-8 p.m., the Pickle Juice Chugging Competition at 7 p.m., and the famous Bologna Sandwich Eating Competition at 7:15 p.m.

The Annual World Championship Dainty Contest will be held starting at 4 p.m. Monday, July 27, at the corner of George Hauck Way and Goss Avenue. Organizers say the game runs until "we run out of bologna or players."

To learn more and look at a full lineup for the weekend, and Monday, click here. You can also follow updates on the festival's Facebook page by clicking here.