Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles will emcee the annual Fancy Farm Picnic this year. The fundraiser for Saint Jerome’s Catholic Church is one of the best known political events in the state. Organizer Mark Wilson says Quarles is the first millennial to emcee the picnic.
Wilson suggested the relatively young emcee is a sign the picnic, in its 138th year, is “embracing the changing times.”
Quarles is a Republican and served three terms in the state House before becoming agriculture commissioner. Wilson says there’s no official list of speakers yet, but says organizers have sent invitations to current office holders and candidates.
“He was like a kid in a candy store, it was like he won a big prize, he was very excited when we made an inquiry to him and reached out to him. He was very excited about the opportunity, it was like a dream of a lifetime for him,” Wilson said.
The president of the National Rifle Association is speaking at Murray State University the night before one of the state’s largest political events this summer… but organizers of the are unsure if he will make an appearance at their event. The Marshall County Republican Party invited Oliver North to speak at a GOP rally on August 3. Wilson says the events are separate but he’s open to the possibility of North coming to the picnic.
“We’re always open to ideas. You never know ‘till the first Saturday of August who’s going to be on the roster.”
