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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who's speaking at Fancy Farm 2025? See the list of who will and won't be there
Fancy Farm and its zingers are almost here. Kentucky's annual political picnic is set to take place Saturday, Aug. 2, in Western Kentucky at St. Jerome's Catholic Church, with political speeches beginning at 2 p.m. Central/3 p.m. Eastern. While it isn't an election year in Kentucky, the political speaking portion is still expected to bring entertainment, with primary candidates allowed to speak ahead of the 2026 election. Here's what to know about who will — and won't — be there: Who is speaking at the 2025 Fancy Farm picnic? Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, will emcee the 2025 picnic. All three high-profile Republican U.S. Senate candidates — Andy Barr, Daniel Cameron and Nate Morris — will give speeches. Steve Elder, Fancy Farm's political chairperson, previously said event organizers decided to invite primary candidates to speak because "the political landscape is constantly evolving, and we too must adapt to the times." Event organizers typically limit invited speakers to those holding state office or running in a general election. "Campaigns are launching earlier than in years past, and we want to ensure the picnic continues its tradition of strong participation from across the political spectrum in the Commonwealth," Elder said in a press release. More: Is Kentucky's Fancy Farm picnic still relevant in a changing political climate? Other speakers who have confirmed their attendance so far are: Republican state. Rep. Kim Holloway Republican state Sen. Jason Howell Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer Democratic candidate John "Drew" Williams, running for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District Republican state Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell Republican state Treasurer Mark Metcalf Who is not speaking at Fancy Farm 2025? Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman declined her invitation to speak. In a statement, spokesperson JT Henderson said while Coleman appreciated the invite, she believes "it should be reserved for candidates who are currently on the ballot so they can share their vision for the commonwealth with our neighbors in West Kentucky." Democratic state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, who is running for U.S. Senate, also declined to give a speech. Who hasn't confirmed or declined their Fancy Farm invitation? The following politicians have not yet responded to their invitations to speak at the event: Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear Republican state Auditor Allison Ball Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@ or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fancy Farm 2025 speakers: See who will and won't be there
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
What to know about Fancy Farm, Kentucky's annual political picnic
The highly anticipated day of politics and barbecue is almost here for Kentucky politicos and voters. On the first Saturday in August, federal and state elected officials and candidates will gather at a church picnic to meet with Western Kentucky constituents and skewer their opponents before an often rowdy crowd. The event is Fancy Farm, and it's arriving in less than a week. Here's what to know in advance. What is Fancy Farm? Fancy Farm is both a town in West Kentucky and the name of an annual fundraising picnic held by St. Jerome's Catholic Church. The 2025 picnic will be the church's 145th. There's more to the picnic than just massive amounts of barbecue and family activities. Elected officials and candidates have come to dominate the event, delivering short speeches that are often laced with barbs for competitors and members of the other party. The political speaking portion of the picnic started in 1931, when A.B. "Happy" Chandler ran for lieutenant governor and popularized the event statewide. Over the years, the picnic has garnered national media attention for its rousing speeches, which are met with cheers and jeers from the crowd. The picnic also offers signature barbecue dishes, including pork and mutton. Who is speaking at Fancy Farm 2025? Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, will emcee the speeches in 2025. This year, political picnic organizers have made an exception to their traditional rules and invited primary candidates to speak, including those running in the 2026 race to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. Senate candidates U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris have all confirmed they will speak on the Republican side. Democratic state Rep. Pamela Stevenson has declined. More: Is Kentucky's Fancy Farm picnic still relevant in a changing political climate? McConnell and Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul have not confirmed whether they will attend the event. Neither has Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman will not be attending. In a statement, spokesperson JT Henderson said while Coleman appreciates the invitation to speak, she believes "it should be reserved for candidates who are currently on the ballot so they can share their vision for the commonwealth with our neighbors in West Kentucky." Confirmed speakers include: Republican state. Rep. Kim Holloway Republican state Sen. Jason Howell Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer Democratic candidate John "Drew" Williams, running for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District Republican state Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell Republican state Treasurer Mark Metcalf When is Fancy Farm? Fancy Farm will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2. The political speaking portion is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Central/3 p.m. Eastern. Where is Fancy Farm? Fancy Farm takes place at St. Jerome Catholic Church. The church is located at 20 Ky. Route 339 North in Fancy Farm, located in Graves County. Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@ or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fancy Farm picnic 2025 date, speakers, what to know Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
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KET revives Fancy Farm coverage, thanks to donation
Kentucky Educational Television has revived its plans to cover the annual Fancy Farm political rally on Aug. 2 in Western Kentucky. Shae Hopkins, executive director and CEO of KET, said in a press release a donation from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will make the coverage possible. 'We're grateful to the Kentucky Chamber, a longtime corporate partner and supporter of KET, for helping us to continue this decades-long tradition of bringing viewers across the state coverage of this iconic event,' Hopkins said. The release did not disclose the specific donation amount. Earlier this summer, Fancy Farm organizers announced Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts would emcee the event. KET previously said it planned to eliminate its coverage of Fancy Farm because of federal funding cuts. A rescission bill that stripped $9 billion in federal funding for public broadcasting, global health initiatives and foreign aid programs was given final passage July 17. Fancy Farm is a political picnic and rally held each summer in Graves County, where candidates and elected officials take jabs at their opponents before an often rowdy audience. The bipartisan event has become more Republican-heavy in recent years as Democrats have lost significant ground in the state. This year, picnic-goers can expect to hear from all three high-profile Republicans running to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell: U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris. On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, who is also running to replace McConnell, have declined to speak. The only confirmed Democratic speaker so far is John "Drew" Williams, who is challenging U.S. Rep. James Comer in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District race. KET will livestream coverage beginning at 2:30/1:30 pm CT Aug. 2 with host Renee Shaw and analysts Bob Babbage and Trey Grayson. The station will air highlights from the event at 8/7 p.m. Aug. 3. Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@ or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KET revives Fancy Farm coverage, thanks to donation Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky Chamber's Ashli Watts to emcee annual Fancy Farm Picnic
Fancy Farm Picnic-goers stroll the grounds on Aug. 3, 2024, at St. Jerome Catholic Church. Organizers announced Tuesday that Kentucky Chamber of Commerce CEO Ashli Watts will emcee the political speaking at this year's picnic. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony) Ashli Watts, the president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, will be the emcee for the next Fancy Farm Picnic this August. Ashli Watts (Provided by St. Jerome Picnic) Held as a fundraiser for the St. Jerome Catholic Church in the far west Kentucky town of Fancy Farm, the picnic annually brings together Kentucky politicians for fiery stump speeches in front of a boisterous crowd. Picnic organizers announced that Watts would be the emcee for this year's picnic in a Tuesday press release. Watts became the president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber in 2019. The organization represents more than 3,800 member businesses across the state and often brings together its members and Kentucky lawmakers for conversations about economic issues. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce spent the most out of any group to lobby the Kentucky General Assembly in 2024 and 2025. The picnic's press release said that as leader of the Kentucky Chamber, Watts 'played a key role in the passage of landmark legislation including felony expungement, right-to-work, and tax reform measures.' 'Ashli's experience and poise make her the ideal choice to guide this year's political speaking,' said Steven Elder, the political chairman of the picnic. 'Her leadership and deep understanding of Kentucky's political landscape will bring energy, fairness, and insight to this year's event.' The Fancy Farm Picnic is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2. Emcees in recent years have included Lexington's Father Jim Sichko and David Beck, president of Kentucky Venues.
