Fancy Farm Picnic Book Signing

Fancy Farm Picnic

Book Signing

If you want to be elected in the Bluegrass State, there's only one place to be the first Saturday in August: Fancy Farm, Ky, where old-fashioned politics meets dyed-in-the-wool religion, and the differences are evened out by the glorious, gluttonous, gastronomic magic of charred pork and mutton at the annual Fancy Farm picnic-cum-political rally.

What do political leaders Sen. Mitch McConnell, Gov. Steve Beshears, Sec. of Agriculture Richie Farmer, and Vice-President Alben Barkley have in common? Three will be there this Saturday and one helped organize the political speaking years ago. They also sent a favorite recipe for the Kentucky Cookbook, “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities.” Alben Barkley’s Granddaughter sent the recipe for him.

The cookbook also has recipes from Miley Cyrus, Tom T. Hall, Lance Burton, Naomi Judd, and Kentucky Derby Museum and you can get a copy this weekend at the Fancy Farm Picnic.

Local author Pamela Whinnery will be at the picnic to do a book signing with proceeds going to St. Jerome Parrish. She will also have her recently released cookbook “Country Goodness Recipes of Tennessee Cookbooks.”

Both cookbooks have over 300 recipes from local and national personalities, highly visible businesses, artist, writers, athletes, sportsmen, actors, musicians, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, notable events and places. In addition, there are brief notes with each recipe on the contributors, and calendar of events.

COME JOIN THE FUN!

FANCY FARM PICNIC BOOK SIGNING

130TH FANCY FARM PICNIC

The 130th Fancy Farm Picnic will be this next Saturday Aug. 7. It is drawing major news coverage, NOT because of the book signing I have been invited to do during the picnic, but because of the Nov. Senatorial race. Republican Candidate & Tea Party supported Rand Paul (son of Presidential candidate Ron Paul) and Democratic candidate Attorney General Jack Conway should draw major crowds. It is being shown live on KET and will be shown for the first time on C-Span.

Fancy Farm Picnic is famous as a traditional political gathering attracting statewide and occasionally national candidates. The picnic began in 1880 as a purely local affair. It takes place mostly on the grounds of Fancy Farm Elementary School. Since 1956 it has been held on the first Saturday in August. It has come to represent the traditional starting point of the fall campaign season in Kentucky.

The picnic was of purely local interest until A.B. "Happy" Chandler began making appearances, going for the first time in 1931 while running for Lieutenant Governor.

National figures that have made speeches include George C. Wallace and Al Gore. Vice President Alben Barkley, known for his oratorical skills, spoke many times over the years before his death in 1956.

In addition to the political appearances, the picnic offers traditional fair activities like Craft items, book signings, bingo, and raffle prizes. Food includes barbecue, a Knights of Columbus fish fry, and homemade baked goods.

The event was recognized in the 1985 Guinness Book of World Records as the "World's Largest Picnic", for the consumption of 19,000 pounds of mutton, pork, and chicken. The picnic is profitable and proceeds are used to finance local improvements. About 12,000 to 15,000 people attend each year.

Stop by the Country Store in the Knights of Columbus Hall (Just across from the dining area,) to get a copy of my cookbook "Favorite Recipe of Kentucky Celebrities.” It has recipes from Gov. Steve Beshears, Sen. Mitch McConnell, U.S Representative Ed Whitfield, & former Vice-President Alben Barkley (sent by his granddaughter).

129TH FANCY FARM PICNIC

129TH FANCY FARM PICNIC

The only thing spicier than the barbeque is the Politics.

Today was the infamous Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, KY, which kicks off the campaign season in our illustrious state.

If you head to the western most part of Kentucky, you will find the town called Fancy Farm. This small community is nationally known for two things: its magnificent catholic church and the world’s largest one-day picnic.

This was my first trip to the picnic. My plans were to enjoy the GREAT food including the secret Barbeque sauce, fresh vegetables, and homemade desserts. I was not disappointed. Being an author of the “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities” I also hoped to get a recipe from the St. Jerome Parrish. It is a historic site and the picnic deserves Celebrity Status. A very sweet lady at the “Country Store” promised to send me a recipe from the Parrish.

Another reason for going there is my plans to do a 2nd cookbook on recipes from Kentucky Celebrities. As my 1st cookbook had recipes from several Kentucky politicians, including Gov. Steve Beshear (Democrat) and Senator Mitch McConnell (Republican) I was hoping to give out my business cards to request recipe contributions for the new cookbook.

At the dinner, Former U.S. Representative Carrol Hubbard set at my table. He was extremely gracious and promised to send me a recipe.

I ran into House Majority Leader Jody Richards at a concession stand and he promised a recipe.

Out at the campers (this is what the politicians running for election use as a base when in Fancy Farm) I gave the various campaign groups my card and they all promised recipes. I will admit Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo’s campaign worker came back later and requested a 2nd. Business card. He said he had given the 1st to Mongiardo, but he wanted one for himself to be sure I received the recipe. I was impressed.

Gatewood Galbraith, who is running for Governor in 2011 not only promised me a recipe, but also gave me an autographed book.

Now I don’t want to take political sides, but this will be an interesting, but simple test to see how many of these politicians keep their promise.