KENTUCKY — Shakeups to Kentucky's famed political picnic, some students head back to school and classic cars are rolling into the Commonwealth. Those are just some of the things we are tracking this week in Kentucky.
What You Need To Know
- The Fancy Farm picnic, often viewed as the kickoff to Kentucky's political season, takes place Saturday in Graves County
- Some Democrats are skipping Fancy Farm this year, instead attending a counter-even the same day called "FancyVille"
- Warren County Public School students head back to class this week
- The Street Rod Nationals takes place Thursday through Sunday at the Kentucky Exposition Center
The Fancy Farm, considered to be the Super Bowl of Kentucky politics, takes place Saturday. However, some Kentucky politicians will be noticeably absent from the political picnic this year.
Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman will be skipping the event, often dubbed as the kickoff to Kentucky's political season.
In a statement emailed to Spectrum News 1, Beshear spokesperson Sebastian Kitchen said, "With no elections scheduled for 2021, the governor will be spending that weekend with his family making up for opportunities lost during the pandemic and the lieutenant governor will be volunteering in the Commonwealth alongside her family."
Kitchen said Beshear and Coleman encourage anyone who plans on attending to get vaccinated as soon as possible, citing the "aggressive rise in the delta variant and the vaccination rate in the region." Fancy Farm is held in Graves County, which has a roughly 34% vaccination rate, according to state data.
"Fancy Farm is a great tradition and we’re committed to returning in the near future," Kitchen added.
With the absence of Beshear and Coleman, no Democrats will be speaking at the event, which didn't include its typical political sparring last year due to COVID-19.
The list of confirmed speakers for this year includes:
- State Sen. Jason Howell
- State Rep. Richard Heath
- U.S. Rep. James Comer
- Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles
- Secretary of State Michael Adams
- Auditor Mike Harmon
Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul have both been invited but are still listed as "pending." Republican Treasurer Allison Ball declined to attend.
Former Secretary of State Bob Babbage will emcee this year's event, which is slated to take place on Aug. 7. The annual picnic and political stumping ground is also a fundraiser for St. Jerome Catholic Church in Graves County.
Some Kentucky Democrats plan to attend a Fancy Farm counter-event dubbed "FancyVille." It will take place in Louisville Saturday, the same day as the Fancy Farm picnic in Graves County.
A press release regarding the event said this was scheduled because cases of COVID-19 and the Delta variant are growing in the Commonwealth.
Speakers include U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (if he is in town), state Sen. Morgan McGarvey and state House Minority Leader Joni Jenkins, along with a majority of the Jefferson County Delegation and most federal, state and local candidates for 2022 elections.
This event will take place from 12-2 p.m. Saturday at IUE-CWA (5153 Poplar Level Rd.). Organizers said COVID-19 guidelines will be required, though it did not specify what the exact guidelines will be.
Since Louisville will not be sending a large delegation to Fancy Farm this year, organizers of FancyVille say a donation will be sent to St. Jerome Church. That's the beneficiary of the Fancy Farm picnic each year.
Some Kentucky students will be heading back to school this week. Warren County Public Schools kicks off the new year Wednesday.
Just last week, Beshear urged universal masking in schools. This is in line with the latest CDC guidance.
It’s not a mandate, but Beshear said there will be consequences if schools don’t follow suit.
“No. 1, you’re going to have a lot of kids in quarantine. No. 2, you’re going to forfeit a lot of your sports games, your matches,” said Beshear. “No. 3, the more people that get COVID, even young, the more likelihood there is that one of them gets hurt.”
As Warren County students return, masks will be encouraged, but not required.
Despite state recommendations, the decision ultimately remains up to each district, many of which have said masks will not be required.
Tons of collectible, antique cars will be rolling through the Bluegrass State.
The 52nd Street Rod Nationals take place Thursday through Sunday at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Event organizers said attendees can expect to see over 11,000 street rods from all over the country.
You can find a full event schedule on the National Street Rod Association website.