Ahead of 2023 election, Gov. Andy Beshear to speak at Fancy Farm for first time since 2019
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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will take the stage next month at the 143rd Fancy Farm political picnic.
Beshear, running against Republican challenger Daniel Cameron, is set to speak at the annual event, known for its fiery speeches by candidates and elected officials around Kentucky. Campaign spokesperson Alex Floyd confirmed Thursday that Beshear plans to be in attendance on Aug. 5.
The incumbent Democrat has not attended Fancy Farm since 2019, when he was a candidate running against then-Gov. Matt Bevin.
The picnic did not feature any of its traditional speeches in 2020 during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. Beshear also declined invitations in 2021 (citing the pandemic) and 2022 (he initially said he'd be in Israel but remained in the state following devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky). A number of Republican speakers at those picnics used his absence as an attack point.
The annual Fancy Farm picnic dates back to 1880 and takes place each summer in Western Kentucky. It's known mainly for its showcase of Bluegrass State politicians, who often serve memorable lines and jokes about other state legislators, but it also is a fundraiser for St. Jerome Catholic Church. The parish prepares 19,000 pounds of barbecue pork and mutton for the occasion, according to its website.
Beshear joins a growing list of confirmed speakers at this year's event, including Cameron, agriculture commissioner candidates Jonathan Shell (R) and Sierra Enlow (D), treasurer candidates Mark Metcalf (R) and Michael Bowman (D), auditor candidate Allison Ball (R), Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) and attorney general candidates Russell Coleman (R) and Pam Stevenson (D).
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Reach reporter Caleb Wiegandt at cwiegandt@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @CalebWiegandt.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fancy Farm 2023 picnic to include Gov. Andy Beshear among speakers
