Posted on 07/30/2015 8:13:59 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
FANCY FARM — This Saturday marks the unofficial kickoff to the political season as one of Kentucky’s oldest political traditions, Fancy Farm takes place. But what you may not know is how this event actually evolved from a local gathering into the commonwealth’s most notable political event.
Cynthia Elder, a St. Jerome parishioner and volunteer for the Fancy Farm Picnic, says the first advertisement of the gathering was in the July 31, 1880 edition of the Mayfield Monitor.
“At that time it was advertised as a dinner and a gander pull,” Elder said. “It was just a get together, and then it turned into a homecoming through the years where families would come home and be able to see each other at picnic time.”
Back in the early days, it was a place where politicians could make their “last ditch stand.” That’s because the picnic was on the last Wednesday in July and the state primary took place was on the first Saturday in August. In 1956, the General Assembly moved the primary date to the current fourth Tuesday in May.
The tradition of statewide candidates speaking at Fancy Farm dates back to 1931 when former Gov. A.B. Happy Chandler spoke as a candidate for Lt. Governor. After winning that office, Chandler said that Fancy Farm was good luck and was a regular there most years after.
It was at that point, all serious political figures in Kentucky began to make Fancy Farm an annual stop.
Over the years, the late former congressman and vice president Alben Barkley, from nearby Wheel in Graves County, was a regular along with long time Senator John Sherman Cooper.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, then Jefferson Co. judge-executive, made his first appearance in 1984 laying the groundwork for a
(Excerpt) Read more at mycn2.com ...
Fancy Farm evolved from local gathering to the most unique political speaking venue in the country
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Really? “Most unique”?
Ky people are so full of themselves. I’ll know what makes them think they are so special
never know
What kind of a ridiculous comment is that?
Ky people are so full of themselves.
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And the jelly they make tastes awful too.
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