A few Kentucky politicians — mostly Republicans — have confirmed they will be speaking at this year’s Fancy Farm Picnic next month.
The annual barbecue picnic, a fundraiser for the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Graves County held the first Saturday in August, has become a longstanding Kentucky tradition for elected officials and campaigning hopefuls. The 2026 picnic is scheduled for Aug. 1 in the West Kentucky town of Fancy Farm.
Organizers released a list of speakers who have confirmed their planned attendance so far. They are:
- State Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray
- State Rep. Kim Holloway, R-Mayfield
- U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, the Republican running for U.S. Senate
- Former state Rep. Charles Booker, the Democrat running for U.S. Senate
- U.S. Rep. James Comer, the Republican seeking reelection in the 1st Congressional District
- John “Drew” Williams, the Democrat challenging Comer
- Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Democrat
- Attorney General Russell Coleman, a Republican seeking reelection
- Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, Republican
While picnic organizers said the lieutenant governor’s and Booker’s attendances were pending, spokespeople for them confirmed their attendance to the Lantern Monday morning.
Invited speakers who have not yet confirmed their attendance to the organizers are:
- Gov. Andy Beshear, Democrat
- U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, Republican
- U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, Republican
- Secretary of State Michael Adams, Republican
- State Auditor Allison Ball, Republican
- Treasurer Mark Metcalf, Republican
This year’s emcee is Dave Baker, a longtime broadcaster whose career has spanned more than four decades at WKYT in Lexington.
The Senate race between Barr and Booker is likely to draw the most attention during the picnic. It will be the first time on the campaign trail where they have addressed the same crowd. They are vying to replace McConnell, who previously announced he is not seeking reelection.
McConnell has regularly attended the Fancy Farm Picnic in the past. However, he is currently in a rehabilitation center after being hospitalized last month. McConnell said in a Sunday statement he was “briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital” and then developed “a mild case of pneumonia.” He will not be voting in the Senate this week.
The picnic may also set the stage for next year’s governor election. Coleman, the lieutenant governor, is the only candidate so far to announce that she is running to succeed Beshear in office. He is term-limited. On the Republican side, Adams and Comer are rumored candidates.
