(GRAVES COUNTY, Ky.)
— Saturday marks the return of one of Kentucky’s most anticipated political traditions as the Fancy Farm picnic takes center stage at St. Jerome Catholic Church campgrounds in Graves County.
The 145th annual barbecue event has earned a reputation as a must-attend gathering where Kentucky politicians deliver passionate speeches to crowds of voters and media representatives from across the Commonwealth and beyond.
This year’s lineup includes three contenders vying for the Republican nomination in the upcoming U.S. Senate race: Rep. Andy Barr, former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and Lexington entrepreneur Nate Morris. Additional candidates seeking various political offices are also slated to address the audience.
The picnic consistently attracts substantial attendance, serving as an important barometer for political watchers gauging which candidates are gaining traction in their respective campaigns. For many politicians, the event represents a crucial opportunity to energize supporters and potentially sway undecided voters through their oratory skills.
Western Kentucky will once again find itself at the center of statewide political attention as this beloved tradition continues its role in shaping the Bluegrass State’s electoral landscape.
2025 Schedule of Events
145TH ST. JEROME FANCY FARM PICNIC
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025
7:00 am-Mass at the Picnic Grounds under the Bingo pavilion
8:00 am-Blessing of meat and placing it on the BBQ pits
4:30 pm-Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at KC Hall (baked potatoes will be available this year) -$15 for adults; $8 for ages 4 to 10; free for age 3 & under
6:00 pm-1-mile Classic Run (registration at 5:00 pm at parking lot across from church rectory) $15
7:00 pm-5K Fun Run (registration is from 5:30 – 6:45 pm in front of St. John Bosco Hall) $30
Music by “Radiophonic” Band on the picnic grounds under the political pavilion
BINGO (price: $1.00 a card or 3 for $2.00) under the Bingo pavilion till 9 pm
Some kid’s games will be open till 9 pm
There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, cotton candy, drinks, snow cones, souvenirs, raffle tickets and tab bingo sold on the picnic grounds around 6:00 pm.
10:00 pm RAFFLE DRAWING (Do not have to be present to win, but must be 18 years of age or older)
• FIRST PRIZE: 2025 CanAm Defender Max XT HD9 (Purchased from Power Sports of America in Paducah, KY)
• SECOND PRIZE: $500
• THIRD PRIZE: $500
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025
8:00 am-BAR-B-QUE BY THE POUND GOES ON SALE: Mutton $17 lb., Pork $13 lb.
10:00 am-OFFICIAL STARTING TIME OF PICNIC.
*BINGO, *GAMES, *SOUVENIRS, *MUSIC AND *FOOD FOR ALL AGES.
*CRAFTS (at Country Store located in Clemons Room behind St. Jerome Parish Hall [former KC Hall])
*Food sold on the picnic grounds all day include BBQ pork & mutton sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQ nachos & nachos ice cream, cotton candy, snow cones, RC products, tea & lemonade.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm-MUSIC BY “Harold Daniels”
11:00 am – 7:00 pm-HOME-COOKED MEAL SERVED CONTINUOUSLY IN THE AIR CONDITIONED PARISH HALL (former KC HALL).– $17 for adults; $8 for children ages 10 and under.
MEAL FEATURES: BAR-B-QUE PORK AND MUTTON, FRIED CHICKEN, FRESH SWEET CORN, LIMA BEANS, GREEN BEANS, PURPLE HULL PEAS, FRESH TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS & ONIONS, POTATO SALAD, SLAW, HOMEMADE DESSERTS.
1:30 pm-PIONEER AWARD presentation at political stand.
2:00 pm-POLITICAL SPEAKING … plenty of seating in and around shaded pavilion.
4:30 – 5:30 pm-MUSIC by the Louisville Orchestra
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm-MUSIC BY “Seeing Red” Band
10:00 pm-RAFFLE DRAWING (Do not have to be present to win, but must be 18 years of age or older)
• FIRST PRIZE: 2025 Chevrolet Silverado Trailboss (Purchased from Country Chevrolet in Benton, KY)
• SECOND PRIZE: $500
• THIRD PRIZE: $500
• FOURTH PRIZE: $500
(Photo Courtesy of Food52.com)