KENTUCKY — The first Saturday in August is traditionally known in Kentucky as the kickoff to the state's political season.

It also includes lots of barbecue and mutton as part of the annual Fancy Farm picnic that serves as the biggest fundraising event for St. Jerome's Catholic Church in Graves County.

"I love the tradition and the history of Fancy Farm. The thing that goes back 140 years, this is the 141st," said Fancy Farm 141 emcee Bob Babbage, who previously served as Kentucky secretary of state and state auditor. "The political speaking was made more famous back in the 30s by Gov. Happy Chandler. His lieutenant governor at that time was my grandfather Keene Johnson, then served as governor. Fancy Farm records show that Keene Johnson spoke at Fancy Farm."

Babbage added, "I have been asked dozens of times, 'Is it really as much fun as it looks? Is it really worth going to? It seems to be?' I would say, 'Yes, yes and yes.' It's all that, and continues to be."

After no political speaking last year, this Saturday’s event will be a return to form with a full roster of elected officials scheduled to speak including State Auditor Mike Harmon, who has already announced his intent to run for governor in 2023, and Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, another potential candidate. Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced last week that he would attend, as did Court of Appeals Judge J. Chris McNeill of Paducah. Kentucky’s two U.S. senators, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, are among the Republicans who will not attend, due to the infrastructure bill still being debated in Washington. Another is State Treasurer Allison Ball, who recently gave birth to her second child.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman also declined. 

As emcee of Fancy Farm event, the master of ceremonies has to cut-off speakers who exceed their time limit, alternates between a Republican and a Democrat and more. 

"It's a lot easier being emcee than being a candidate on the stage," Babbage said. "I'll tell you that I've been a backbencher as a constitutional candidate and then in '90, I got to move up a little bit. So I'll have an introduction that's typically what the emcee does, and provide a little context, historical context and current context to the event."

Democrats in Kentucky are hosting a counter-event in Louisville that they are calling “FancyVaxx” to promote getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

It will be held at the IUE-CWA Union Hall, 5153 Poplar Level Road, from noon until 2 p.m., or until there are no more people in line needing vaccines.