News

Jun 25, 2023

Despite dad jokes and hearing loss, my first Fancy Farm did not disappoint

In our hyper-polarized political world, no one listens to anyone they disagree with. So at Kentucky’s preeminent political event, it seems appropriate that no one can hear anything either. As a

In our hyper-polarized political world, no one listens to anyone they disagree with. So at Kentucky’s preeminent political event, it seems appropriate that no one can hear anything either.

As a first-timer at the St. Jerome’s Fancy Farm Picnic, I was warned about the screaming and yelling during the political speeches. But nothing really prepares you for the overwhelming theater of it all, the old-fashioned milieu with the new-fangled vitriol, the wall of sound. It’s a giant mutton-filled pep rally for the party faithful on both sides.

Everyone is here, the Trumpers walking around with giant flags and stern expressions, preppy young Republicans in polo shirts, the pierced and tattooed youngsters wearing ‘Abortion is healthcare’ t-shirts. Then there are the many more unaffiliated who come for the BBQ and bingo.

John Collis grew up in Mayfield and Fancy Farm, so spent his childhood coming to the picnic. He lives in Jackson, Tenn., now and has started bring his two-year-old back for her first taste of mutton BBQ.

“I don’t care for the politics,” he said. “Most people come for the entertainment — no one is saying, ‘oh this is where I’m going to decide who to vote for.’ You come here for the politics, you’re going to be looking for an argument.”

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Maybe not so much arguments as rants, raves, and dumb jokes from both sides of the aisle. It did not appear there were many undecideds in attendance.

Sen. Mitch McConnell showed up for his 28th Fancy Farm, despite his recent medical episode. He walked slowly, but spoke strongly, clear in his long desire to deliver the entire state into Republican hands. He got a long standing ovation.

Cameron went after Beshear along the usual lines of transgender indoctrination, liberal ideologies, jobs, shutting schools and churches during COVID, Joe Biden, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. We’ve heard it all before. Neither he, nor anyone else mentioned Trump because apparently three indictments is one too many even for the GOP.

Beshear mentioned the Breonna Taylor grand jury before trying to take the high road with talk of economic development, job numbers and Kentuckians who take care of each other.

The only real bomb was Congressman Jamie Comer, who instead of bragging on the Republican slate as he was supposed to, went on a long rambling speech about his investigation of Hunter Biden. It was so long and confusing that people didn’t even bother to shout much.

People also quieted down for a farewell speech by Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, who came in second in the GOP to Cameron. He kept it short, saying “thank you, Kentucky,” and “Kentucky is worth the fighting for.”

What Fancy Farm gives us is a preview of the campaigns that will unfold. Beshear said “this race is the difference between vision and division, they’re trying to pit everyone against each other. I’m ready to prove that’s a losing strategy in the Commonwealth.”

We will see. Republicans sense they have a winning strategy on closed schools and churches, however exaggerated those stories are. And they are motivated to finish the job of making Kentucky a one-party state. The question is whether endlessly harping on about gender ideology — which affects very few people in Kentucky — will work or not.

Modern politics are a mess, ugly and divisive. That’s on display at Fancy Farm, but there’s still something wonderfully old-fashioned about it, a reminder of better times when politicians had to pay attention to everyday folks instead of the bidding of oligarchs and their PACs.

It clearly makes a difference when all the candidates show up.

“I want to see this tradition carried on,” said emcee David Beck, who stressed the importance of politicians talking to regular folks. “We want to look them in the eye, shake their hands, evaluate their priorities.”

Some years, candidates skip Fancy Farm, usually in off-election years. But it’s a lovely, sweaty, old-fashioned day. It may not mean much to who wins the elections, but it’s a slice of Kentuckiana that is well worth seeing. Traditions like these are lot of work and don’t raise much in the way of donations, but let’s hope our political class will keep it going.