The people of the Germantown, Paristown, and Schnitzelburg neighborhoods are known for their devotion to their towns, and they openly celebrate that fact. The residents of this area have instituted weekly porch-sittings, organize neighborhood potlucks, and this weekend is the fourth annual Shotgun Fest.
Four years ago, Tandee Ogburn, now a board member of the Germantown-Paristown Neighborhood Association, took a class at the Neighborhood Institute, which is a part of the Center for Neighborhoods by Theater Square. The class was designed to transform civic-minded people into community leaders. Ogburn created the fest for a class project, but its execution required help from GPNA and Councilman King’s office.
Ogburn says that the Germantown area is a great place for festivals because it’s “one of the oldest neighborhoods, one of the strongest neighborhoods.”
Preservation Louisville has put shotgun houses on Louisville Top 10 Most Endangered Historic Places List. Shotgun houses, called so because of their long, barrel-like floor plans, make up about 10 percent of Louisville’s buildings, but are much more common in the Germantown, Paristown, and Schnitzelburg neighborhoods. Here, these homes are an architectural staple.
This year’s Shotgun Fest will have music, food, beer, wares from local residents and businesses, and a bologna sandwich eating contest. GoGreen Germantown will also be there to sell their shirts and provide advice on going green. An after-party will be hosted at Nachbar where Cougar Express and The Deloreans will perform. For a full list of the Shotgun Fest musical lineup, please visit the event page on facebook.
There has been some talk of starting a tour of shotgun homes at future fests because, Ogburn explains, “shotgun houses are resilient in a lot of ways.”
The outdoor fest will be hosted June 26, noon until 9pm at 1101 East Kentucky Street, which is on the corner of Kentucky and Schiller, directly across from St. Therese.
