Who's speaking at Fancy Farm 2025? See the list of who will and won't be there
Kentucky's annual political picnic is set to take place Saturday, Aug. 2, in Western Kentucky at St. Jerome's Catholic Church, with political speeches beginning at 2 p.m. Central/3 p.m. Eastern.
While it isn't an election year in Kentucky, the political speaking portion is still expected to bring entertainment, with primary candidates allowed to speak ahead of the 2026 election.
Here's what to know about who will — and won't — be there:
Who is speaking at the 2025 Fancy Farm picnic?
Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, will emcee the 2025 picnic.
All three high-profile Republican U.S. Senate candidates — Andy Barr, Daniel Cameron and Nate Morris — will give speeches.
Steve Elder, Fancy Farm's political chairperson, previously said event organizers decided to invite primary candidates to speak because "the political landscape is constantly evolving, and we too must adapt to the times." Event organizers typically limit invited speakers to those holding state office or running in a general election.
"Campaigns are launching earlier than in years past, and we want to ensure the picnic continues its tradition of strong participation from across the political spectrum in the Commonwealth," Elder said in a press release.
More: Is Kentucky's Fancy Farm picnic still relevant in a changing political climate?
Other speakers who have confirmed their attendance so far are:
Republican state. Rep. Kim Holloway
Republican state Sen. Jason Howell
Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer
Democratic candidate John "Drew" Williams, running for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District
Republican state Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell
Republican state Treasurer Mark Metcalf
Who is not speaking at Fancy Farm 2025?
Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman declined her invitation to speak. In a statement, spokesperson JT Henderson said while Coleman appreciated the invite, she believes "it should be reserved for candidates who are currently on the ballot so they can share their vision for the commonwealth with our neighbors in West Kentucky."
Democratic state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, who is running for U.S. Senate, also declined to give a speech.
Who hasn't confirmed or declined their Fancy Farm invitation?
The following politicians have not yet responded to their invitations to speak at the event:
Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell
Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear
Republican state Auditor Allison Ball
Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams
Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fancy Farm 2025 speakers: See who will and won't be there
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