KFTC at Fancy Farm

Some of the estimated 10,000 people who flocked to the small town of Fancy Farm last weekend came for the largest picnic in the world and some great barbecue. Others came for a great game of bingo. Most of them, however, came for the largest Kentucky political event of the year, with stump speeches, over-the-top political skits, and good, old-fashioned small-town southern politics.

The political speeches of Fancy Farm are known for their clever humor, but also for their incredibly partisan tone, mudslinging, and just plain yelling down of opponents. It's a place for politics and handshaking, but rarely for discussions of real policy and substance.

Because of Fancy Farm's patented partisan nature, KFTC has tended to steer clear of the event. But in recent years, we've tried to be a presence at the there - to try to bring real issue-based activism to the event and to engage politicians, let them know that we're there, and build the visibility of KFTC.

This year, a dozen members from Central Kentucky, made it to Fancy Farm and had great conversations with allies, legislators, candidates, and other participants. We passed out KFTC lapel stickers and balancing the scales newsletters, and held signs opposing coal-to-liquid subsidies.

Of particular note, was the number of conversations that KFTC members had with candidates and elected officials. "It's good to have lots of contact with them and remind them who we are," said Susan Williams, who talked to Speaker Jody Richards, and many other legislators. "This is a big day for them and if they know we can bring lots of people to Fancy Farm, they'll be more likely to listen to us later on when we're lobbying."

Kristy Tsou, a KFTC member who grew up in Sandy Hook talked to Representative Rocky Adkins about coal fuel subsidies for 10 minutes, consistently pushing back against his arguments and encouraging him to take an approach that's sustainable and respectful of the environment and people of the state. "I don't think I convinced him, but if all of us keep talking to him and all of the other legislators, I think it will make a difference," Kristy said. "I'm going to write a follow-up letter to him tomorrow."