Fancy Farm Update: Big names, new rules and an updated stage for the annual political picnic

cn|2 Pure Politics ^ | 7/17/2014 | Nick Storm

[Republican Wildcat]

Event organizers of the 134th Fancy Farm Picnic are firming up the last of their speaking roster for this year’s event as the main attraction of Grimes versus McConnell has staff updating the venue, and guests are being warned to be respectful as a national TV audience descends upon the village of Fancy Farm.

Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s staff confirmed that the senior Senator for the state will be at the event. McConnell’s Democratic challenger Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes will share the stage with McConnell in a repeat of last year’s showdown.

Kentucky’s junior U.S. Senator Republican Rand Paul will also speak at the picnic which is famed as much for its political speaking as the fresh vegetables, pork and mutton. Paul’s trips to early presidential primary states has stoked talk of a presidential bid in 2016, and he’s said he’s considering a run.

In addition to the U.S. Senate candidates, contenders for the 2015 governor’s race also will make the trip to far western Kentucky for the annual speaking event at the Fancy Farm picnic on Aug. 2.

Attorney General Jack Conway, who entered the Democratic primary for governor in early May is expected to speak according to Mark Wilson, the event’s organizer. Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer will also speak and will likely make headlines — Comer told WKYT’s Bill Bryant in an interview this week that he would announce his 2015 intentions from the stage.

Gov. Steve Beshear will also take the stage, confirmed Dan Logsdon the chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party. Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson will not be in attendance at the picnic, Logsdon cited a prior family commitment.

Democratic state Auditor Adam Edelen, who is seeking re-election to the post, will also speak at this year’s picnic, his spokeswoman confirmed to...