"It's great to be back on the stage in Fancy Farm at the greatest political tradition in Kentucky," First District Congressman James Comer began his speech at 2024's event.
Known for its boisterous crowds, Fancy Farm has gone from being the "official kickoff of the fall campaign season" to a lopsided affair, in a time when politics is already ubiquitous.
"Now I would be nice and introduce the Democrat leaders here, but there aren't any," Comer continued in last year's speech/
The event has morphed into a GOP-dominated gathering in a solidly-red state, which serves as punchline fodder for many of the speakers who see Democrats as having abandoned rural outreach.
This year, the lone Democrat on the stage will be Drew Williams, who is running against Comer. Although Williams' party may be on the ropes in the region, they are banding together even if it's at separate events.
At the annual Alben Barclay dinner in Paducah, McCracken County Democratic leader Michael McVickers told Spectrum News that for some, the move away from Fancy Farm has been deliberate.
"Republicans would like to say that we're scared to rural voters, but when they bus in dozens of people from other cities, they're yelling over the actual local Democratic voices," he said. "It's manufacturing support."
The split is reflective of the deeper divisions and siloing of American politics, but the tradition of Fancy Farm has by no means worn off. This year, the trio of Republicans seeking Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat — former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Congressman Andy Barr, and businessman Nate Morris — are all set to share the stage along with other high-profile state Republicans.
The event will air on KET starting at 02:30 Saturday afternoon.