Fancy Farm Crowd Urged to Be Civil During Speeches

A large crowd is expected at this year’s Fancy Farm picnic and organizers are hoping the crowd will be a bit more behaved than in previous years. Mark Wilson, who helps organize the political speaking at the picnic, said there has recently been a recurring pattern of more organized and choreographed shout-fests by supporters of major speaker's opposition. He said his committee has decided to be more aggressive this year to suppress this negative behavior which he said happens on both sides of the political aisle.

Wilson said he has had personal discussions with the chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party, the chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky and major campaign chairpersons and the discussions have been well-received and positive. Wilson said he has also conveyed his desires to Justice Bill Cunningham, MC of this year's program, who is in full support of organizers’ intentions.

Wilson said he and Father Darrell Venters, Pastor of St. Jerome Parish, will conduct a conference call next week to reinforce their desires for the organized supporters to suppress their choreographed shout-fests.

“We have too many guests who travel from far and wide who actually want to hear what the candidates have to say,” Wilson said. “We don't expect silence, but just want to cut out the non-stop screaming and chanting from start to finish.”

This year’s picnic is Saturday, Aug. 2. The political speaking begins at 2 pm. The annual picnic, known for its hot barbecue and politics, is sponsored by St. Jerome Catholic Church and is held on its campus in Graves County. This year’s event is expected to attract more than 15,000 people.