Hurrah, readers! It's finally that time of year again: today is the 39th annual World Championship of Dainty in my hometown of Louisville, Ky. Dainty is a street game that was introduced to Louisville in the mid-1800's by German immigrants, who settled in the area now known as "Germantown." It involves wacking a 5" long tapered stick with another, longer stick (I believe the official Dainty Wacking Stick was a mop handle in its former life) so that it launches upwards, and then hitting it in mid-air down the street as far as you can. It is said to be based on a European childrens' game known in England as "tip-cat." However, only those 45 or older are allowed to participate in our version (along with receiving the senior citizen discount at the movie theater, being eligable to play dainty is pretty much the only perk of getting older that comes to mind).
According to John E. Kleber's Encyclopedia of Louisville: "...the origin of the "dainty" name may be related to the ice cream confection peddled by pushcart vendors in the neighborhoods where the game was popular. The "dainty man's" treats, wrapped in wax paper and resembling a small stick, suggest a connection."
Well, however it originated, the modern day dainty contest, celebrated on the last Monday in July, was revived in 1971 by George Hauck and Jim Vettiner. Hauck is the long-time owner of the miniscule grocery store on Goss Avenue, Germantown's main drag--the contest takes place on the sidestreet next to Hauck's Grocery, which sells fried bologna sandwiches (a local delicacy) for a nickel.
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