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More Democrats will brave the stage at this year's Fancy Farm picnic

Kentucky democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman addresses the audience gathered at the Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Timothy D. Easley/AP
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Kentucky democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman addresses the audience gathered at the Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Kentucky's celebrated Fancy Farm political picnic takes place Saturday.

Kentucky's annual political rally is raucous and ripe with opportunities for politicians to roast and be roasted.

This year, one regular attendee and big name will be missing from the stage, Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has not been cleared by physicians.

Gov. Andy Beshear has also opted not to attend.

A time keeper shows that a speaker has one minute remaining at the annual Fancy Farm picnic Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Fancy Farm, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Mark Humphrey/AP
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A time keeper shows that a speaker has one minute remaining at the annual Fancy Farm picnic Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Fancy Farm, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

But Laura Cullen-Glasscock with the Kentucky Gazette says Democrats will have more time at the mic than has been the case in recent years.

"In the past several years, a lot of Democrats have eschewed the stage because there's not a friendly audience for the most part," she says. "So we're seeing the Democrats who are holding office and candidates taking the stage this year."

That includes U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker and gubernatorial hopefuls Jacqueline Coleman and Rocky Adkins. First District Congressional incumbent James Comer and Democratic opponent John "Drew" Williams will also take the stage, along with a third party Senate candidate, Christopher Campbell with the Kentucky Party.

"Fancy Farm picnic organizers said they want the people to hear all the voices. We get differences of opinion," Glasscock added.

Live coverage can be seen on KET and Spectrum News.