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Fancy Farm Gearing Up

By Tony McVeigh

Fancy Farm, KY – The 130th Fancy Farm picnic is Saturday in rural Graves County, Kentucky. More than 10,000 people are expected to show up, many drawn to the political speaking, where good-natured heckling is allowed. This year's master of ceremonies, House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover of Jamestown, will be doing his best to keep the crowd under control.

"The main thing is, we want people to have a good time. We want them to enjoy themselves, but be respectful of all the different speakers, even of different political parties. And hopefully, we can maintain some order and still let folks have a good time and really participate in the event."

There's a no-cursing rule this year and speakers who exceed specific time limits will be cut off by a bluegrass band. The U.S. Senate race between Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway and Republican physician Rand Paul is this year's featured political contest.

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.