By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
The roster of speakers is now finalized for the 146th annual Fancy Farm Picnic and political speaking event Saturday on the grounds of St. Jerome’s Roman Catholic Church in the small Graves County community.
U.S. Senator Rand Paul, R-Bowling Green, has committed to be there, while Kentucky’s Senior U.S. Senator, Mitch McConnell, R-Louisville, who continues to recover after a fall last month and is not seeking re-election, has said he regrets having to miss the event.
Three candidates who are hoping to succeed McConnell will be on hand: Republican Andy Barr of Lexington, who is currently the 6th District Congressman, as well as his Democratic opponent, former State Rep. Charles Booker of Louisville. In addition, Kentucky Party U.S Senate candidate Christopher Campbell has been added to the list.
While Gov. Andy Beshear has declined, two Democrats looking to follow him in office in the 2027 election will attend – Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Rocky Adkins, who recently stepped down as a senior advisor to Beshear. Having been elected to two consecutive terms as governor, Beshear cannot succeed himself.
The other state Constitutional officers, all Republicans, will be on hand: Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, Attorney General Russell Coleman, Treasurer Mark Metcalf, Auditor Allison Ball and Secretary of State Michael Adams.
Republican 1st District Congressman James Comer and his Democratic challenger, John Drew Williams, have also both agreed to participate.
The Kentucky General Assembly members who represent Graves County will address the crowd, Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray and Rep. Kim Holloway, R-Mayfield.
Although the Fancy Farm picnic started in 1880, it did not become Kentucky’s top political event until 1931. That’s when A.B. “Happy” Chandler made an appearance while campaigning for lieutenant governor.
Since then, it has served in every election year as the traditional kickoff to the fall campaign season.
Thousands of people flock to the Fancy Farm event each year, where they enjoy some western Kentucky barbeque, play games, and, of course, listen to the political stump speeches.
Organizers rotate the master of ceremonies between a Democrat, a Republican and a non-politician in a three-year cycle. This year’s emcee will be Dave Baker of WKYT-TV in Lexington.