Fancy Farm, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fancy Farm, Kentucky
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Street scene in Fancy Farm
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Fancy Farm's location in Kentucky
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| County | Graves |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.88 sq mi (2.27 km2) |
| • Land | 0.88 sq mi (2.27 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 430 ft (130 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 403 |
| • Density | 460.05/sq mi (177.63/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
42039
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| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2629613 |
Fancy Farm is a small community in Graves County, Kentucky, United States. It's about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Mayfield, which is the county seat. In 2020, about 403 people lived there.
Fancy Farm is located in the western part of Kentucky, an area known as the Jackson Purchase. The community was first settled by Roman Catholics in 1829. It is still known today for being a strong Catholic area. The community grew around St. Jerome Church, which was built in 1836. The first post office opened in 1843. The unique name "Fancy Farm" was likely chosen when the post office started.
Contents
The Famous Fancy Farm Picnic
Fancy Farm is famous for its yearly St. Jerome Catholic Church Picnic. This picnic is well-known because many politicians from Kentucky and sometimes even from other states come to speak there. People who don't live in Fancy Farm often call it the "Fancy Farm Picnic."
History of the Picnic
The picnic started in 1881 as a small local event. It takes place on the church grounds, which have grown bigger over the years because the picnic became so popular. Since 1956, the picnic has been held on the first Saturday in August. It marks the start of the fall election campaign season in Kentucky.
The picnic became much more famous when A. B. "Happy" Chandler started attending. He was a two-time Governor of Kentucky and also the second Commissioner of Major League Baseball. He first went to the picnic in 1931 when he was running for lieutenant governor.
Who Attends the Picnic?
So many Kentucky politicians go to the picnic that it's big news if a major state politician decides not to show up! Important national figures have also given speeches there. These include George Wallace in 1975, Lloyd Bentsen in 1988, and Al Gore in 1992. Vice President Alben Barkley, who was born nearby, spoke at the picnic many times.
Fun and Food at the Picnic
Besides the political speeches, the picnic offers many fun activities. You can play bingo games and win raffle prizes. There's lots of delicious food, including barbecue and a Knights of Columbus fish fry on Friday evening. You can also find homemade baked goods.
The picnic was even recognized in the 1985 Guinness Book of World Records. It was called the "World's Largest Picnic" because 15,000 pounds (about 6,800 kg) of mutton, pork, and chicken were eaten at the 1982 event!
What the Picnic Supports
The money raised from the picnic helps to pay for the local Catholic elementary school. It also helps with other improvements in the community. No outside sellers are allowed, but people who support different political causes often sell their items. Each year, about 12,000 to 15,000 people attend this big event.
Population Information
Fancy Farm is a small community. In 2020, the population was 403 people.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 403 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
See also
In Spanish: Fancy Farm (Kentucky) para niños
