Louisville's Schnitzelburg neighborhood hosts 56th annual World Championship Dainty Contest

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The 56th Annual World Championship Dainty Contest kicked off Monday 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.

Dainty is a German game that dates back centuries. 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 led up to the big day. The Dainty Pre-Game Carnival and FUNdraiser were held Saturday, with the 6th Annual Dainty Pre-Games, a block party, carnival and fundraiser. The day's festivities also included the Dainty Parade, a cake wheel, an Ohio Valley Wrestling show, the Pickle Juice Chugging Competition and famous Bologna Sandwich Eating Competition.

The Dainty Contest kicked off around 4 p.m. Monday. Organizers said the games would run until "we run out of bologna or players."

In the end, there could only be one World Champion. Mike Brooks took home the title, while Cory Travelstead finishing second.