What is Fancy Farm? Everything to know about Kentucky's political picnic
One of Kentucky's finest political experiences — and, yes, it is an experience — is upon us.
This Saturday, the commonwealth (along with just about anyone with internet access) will get to watch as our constitutional officers and anyone who wants to be a constitutional officer, along with a handful of others, roast each other at a church picnic.
Yes, y'all, Fancy Farm is just around the corner. Here's what to know.
What is Fancy Farm?
Fancy Farm is a town, population roughly 500, in west Kentucky. It is home to the annual church fundraising picnic held by St. Jerome's Catholic Church. The first picnic was held in the 1880s.
But it's more than a church picnic. The political speaking hosted at the picnic is largely considered the informal kickoff to Kentucky's general election season.
Elected officials and candidates get to dominate the event for a few hours, giving short speeches best described as a cross between stump speech and tryout video for a stand-up comedy troupe.
The political speaking at the picnic can be traced to A.B. "Happy" Chandler, a former governor and senator (and Major League Baseball commissioner), who began attending the picnic in the 1930s.
Candidates typically get somewhere between two to six minutes to speak, depending on how important the organizers believe their office is. Oh, and the crowd is full of both fans and hecklers, both of which have been standing in the August heat for a little bit, so they're a little riled up.
Oh, and if a speaker goes over time, they get cut off with the sound of banjo music.
Also, there's tons of barbecued pork and mutton and fresh vegetables.
Who is speaking at Fancy Farm 2023?
This is the known speaker lineup, which will follow introductory remarks from event organizers and this year's emcee, Kentucky Venues President David Beck. (Note: U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is still listed as "pending." In the past, U.S. senators' decisions on attending haven't come until the week of the event because of the Senate schedule. Sen. Rand Paul is out for this year, organizers said.)
Gov. Andy Beshear, Democrat, who is running for reelection
Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Republican also running for governor
State Sen. Jason Howell, Republican
State Rep. Richard Heath, Republican
U.S. Rep. James Comer, Republican
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, a Democrat running for lieutenant governor
State Sen. Robby Mills, a Republican running for lieutenant governor
Russell Coleman, a Republican running for attorney general
Rep. Pamela Stevenson, a Democrat running for attorney general
Auditor Mike Harmon, Republican
Allison Ball, a Republican running for auditor
Kim Reeder, a Democrat running auditor
Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican running for secretary of state
Buddy Wheatley, a Democrat running for secretary of state
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, Republican
Jonathan Shell, a Republican running for agriculture commissioner
Sierra Enlow, a Democrat running for agriculture commissioner
Mark Metcalf, a Republican running for treasurer
Michael Bowman, Democrat running for treasurer
When is Fancy Farm 2023?
Fancy Farm is held each year on the first Saturday of August. So, this year, it will be on Aug. 5. The political speaking portion is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Central/3 p.m. Eastern.
How do I get to the Fancy Farm picnic?
St. Jerome Catholic Church is at 20 Ky. 339 North in Fancy Farm, which is in Graves County.
Where can I watch Fancy Farm?
If you can't make it to the picnic, the speaking will be livestreamed on KET.
More: Quips, quotes and one-liners: The 53 greatest zingers from 53 years of Fancy Farm
Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fancy Farm Picnic 2023: How to stream, how to go, full speaker list
