We should all say Danke Schön to our German neighbors

Maypole at Louisville's German-American Club

Germantown. Schnitzelburg. Seelbach. Bernheim. Brandeis. Familiar names and places for Louisvillians. And they all betray the long and important position that the German immigrants have had on our city. We may be named for a French king, but our city's spirit may be German.

Louisville Sluggers? The Hillerichs were a German- American family of woodworkers.

The grand Seelbach hotel? Opened by German brothers.

Bourbon? Thank the Bernheim and Stitzel brothers (among many others) for some of our Bourbon Trail heritage.

I could go on and on. In fact, Louisville's history is so intertwined with the stories of its German settlers that I will have to dedicate many a post just to these Teutonic forefathers of ours.  

But tonight? We raise a toast to out German-American neighbors! And what better way than at the Oktoberfest at the German-American Club?  The festival is going on Friday and Saturday night, and I dare you not to have fun.  Ladies don your dirndls, fellas wear your lederhosen, grab your beer stein and have your fill of great food, drink and music!

Prost!