BBQ, political speeches highlight Fancy Farm Picnic

It's been described as Kentucky's political Super Bowl and it lived up to its billing as the St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic took place Saturday in Graves County.

For the first time in its 144-year run, a priest was the emcee as Father Jim Sichko of Lexington handled the festivities.  

Sichko said in his comments stories he heard about the event would "drive a nun to drink."  He added he was sent to be both "an emcee and a personal exorcist."

Among the first to speak was outgoing 2nd district  state representative Richard Heath.  He talked about what he had accomplished in his time, which included lowering the state income tax rate from six percent when he first took office 12 years ago to the current four percent, which will decrease to three and one half percent in 2026.

He also spoke on how Mayfield and Graves County was building back from the 2021 tornado and said when everything was rebuilt the area would be stronger than ever.

Kim Holloway, who defeated Heath in May, spoke about funding received to rebuild Graves County after the tornado.  She said her campiagn was successful because her message was honest and the truth was told.

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell made his 29th appearance at Fancy Farm and spoke about what the country would be like if Vice Presidnt Kamala Harris were elected. He said Harris' campaign was based on three things, "chaos, crisis and incompetence."

McConnell also criticized Governor Andy Beshear, who  along with Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, were no-shows at the event. Both had announced in July that they would not attend, with no reason given.

McConnell said that while she was senator, Harris had a more liberal voting record than Senator Bernie Sanders and mentioned while as Vice President, Harris has voted for measures leading to "reckless spending" which in turn has contributed to the country's inflation.  He added Kentuckians are at the point of having to decide whether to put gas in their cars or food on the table.

The two candidates for First District Congressman were also on hand.  Republican James Comer said he's led the fight against inflation, runaway spending, big pharmaceutical companies middlemen who gouge the price of prescription drugs for consumers, funding overlooked waterways which is vital to western Kentucky farmers and barge companies.

Comer added he even talked last week about holding the Secret Service accountable after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Democratic opponent Erin Marshall of Frankfort spoke on how infrequently Comer came to western Kentucky.  He added she is running to back the efforts of Governor Andy Beshear in what he has done for Kentucky. 

She added when elected in November, she would be "pro union, pro farm, pro education and pro choice."

Former Kentucky Attorney General and 2023 gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron was on hand to stump for former President Donald Trump.

Cameron asked a two-part question of who loves Kentucky and the United States.  He said if you loved both, the choice was simple to vote for Donald Trump and JD Vance. 

He also blasted current Vice President Kamala Harris and said if she was taking the presidential nomination from Joe Biden, she also had to own their disastrous record.