Looking Back: Ham Festivals through the years

This Chronological History was made available courtesy of the Cadiz Record.

1976                           

Though the Ham Festival grew from Farm City Week, pork played a role in October celebrations during the Bicentennial Year. Trigg County students competed in the All American Hog Poster Contest for the October Porkfest. 52 posters were submitted with Byron Harper taking first prize.  Fourth grade winners were Eric Harrison and Paul White. Fifth Graders Craig Mize, Danny Stewart and Anne Burkeen were also recognized, while the sixth grade saw Chris Carr, Jeff Oakley and Phillip Merrick win. Prizes were $5, $3 and $2 for the top three posters.

1977

County Extension Agent John Fourqurean organized the First Official Trigg County Country Ham Festival in 1977. "Trigg County has always been noted for country ham, so a country ham festival is in order to bring the county united recognition."

The County Extension Homemakers launched the first dessert recipe bake off, and a pageant was held to "crown the Miss Trigg County who will reign over the festival." Tracey Baker was the first winner of the coveted crown.

Cadiz Mayor W.J. Hopson challenged then-sheriff Zelner Cossey to a tricycle race, with Representative Ramsey Morris to challenge the winner. School Superintendent Tom Vinson also raced. Cossey was crowned the victor of the race where the peddlers were compelled to chew tobacco without spitting. "I am not sure if Tom Vinson has forgiven Vocational Ag teacher Daniel Hale who made up the rules of the race."

The 4H club held a pet contest, and ham and biscuit samples were distributed, along with concerts, greased pig contests, arts and crafts and a square dance. The Bank of Cadiz also conducted a pumpkin contest.

Charities found the famous Trigg County generosity was in full force 30 years ago, with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation holding games of skill. The Trigg County Hospital survived in part from a "Save Our Hospital" public auction.

One event that was relegated to the past was an "Old Fashioned Hog Killing Display."

Robbie Flood won the first country ham contest, and Trigg County High defeated Russellville by a score of 14-8 in an overtime thriller.

1978  back to top

Now an annual event, the Ham Festival was in full swing in 1978. The 4H's pet show was held over for another year along with a rocking chair marathon

The Rural Olympics pitted young farmers against each other in a number of barnyard chores, while the FFA conducted the same event featuring celebrities in the Superstar Race.

Pro wrestlers competed against one another with Tamayo Soto, Dutch Mantell, Ken Lucas and Chief Thundercloud representing the best of their federation and wowing fans with REAL wrestling.

The Ham Fest Auction benefited the John L. Street library, while inclement weather forced the Punt, Pass and Kick event to be held after the Ham Festival.

Crystal White earned the title of Miss Trigg County.

The Cadiz Record Reporter Kathy Whitson braved cool damp October weather to cover the event. "I watched and covered my first Country Ham Festival with a reporters notebook and pen in one hand, and a ham-and-biscuit in the other, with three bright yellow helium balloons tied to my camera." Trigg County was defeated in the second Pigskin Classic by a 6-0 score against Murray.

1979

Pomp and pageantry dominated the Ham Festival of '79. In addition to the Miss Trigg County event, a Little Folks pageant picked the cream of Trigg County's nursery school class.

Edsels and the 101st Airborne Marching Band joined a parade along a splendidly decorated street and the Gateway Garden Club's Flower Show.

Liz Fourqurean was crowned Miss Trigg County and Pink "Tiny" Guier, Jr. won his first Country Ham Contest.

The Rocking Chair Marathon sparked a scandal, though the archive does not specify what the debate entailed, or the eventual outcome. The farm chore Superstar Contest was won by Skip Pisa and Coach Jim Wallace.

1980

The new decade brought more children's pageants with Little Mr. And Miss Trigg County, while the Trigg County Chapter of the National Secretaries Association sponsored the Ham Festival Squire and Maiden of the Ham Fest.

The Trigg County Farmer's Bank hosted a contest to put a Ham Festival sign in front of their bank, which is now the location of the Trigg County Fiscal Court Annex… "Put Your Name in Lights" saw signs hung under the thermometer.

The Lion's Club raffled a "tole painted washboard cabinet," while the Garden Club raffled a stereo complete with phonograph and cassette player. A modern piece of equipment, it did away with the 8-track player.

Chris Choate won a "Mello Yello Chug-a-lug" contest, while the Country Ham title was secured by Bayliss Sumner. Audrey Carr was named Miss Trigg County, Mayfield stomped the Wildcats 40-8.

1981  back to top

With the Ham Festival growing every year, organizers saw fit to charge a "Booth and Activity Fee" of $10.

Action permeated the Festival with a Firemen's Contest, a helicopter demonstration from Ft. Campbell, a falconry display, black powder shooting and hot air balloon rides.

Organizers hoped to gain exposure on NBC's Today Show, but no word if Willard Scott made it or not, however.

Flushed with success from the washboard cabinet raffle, the Lion's Club raffled a stuffed lion covered in cash. Estimates put the pasted-on bills' total amount at nearly $25.

Circuit Court Judge Bill Cunningham served the people in 1981 as Commonwealth Attorney. He visited the John L. Street Library to sign copies of his new book, Flames in the Wind.

Kim Butkovic was crowned Miss Trigg County, while Tiny Guier took home his second ham title.

"This has been the biggest and best Ham Festival, but 1982 will surpass any of its kind," said John Fourqurean, ambitiously planning the next year's event.

Trigg County continued its Ham Festival slump with a 21-0 loss to Mayfield.

1982

Despite what Executive Committee Coordinator Ken Wright called 11 months of planning and moving the Ham Festival to the second weekend of October, an epidemic of Pac-Man Fever gripped the '82 festival. The Trigg County Farmers' Bank used a Pac-Man drawing to illustrate its Money in the Haystack contest. Darlene Keahey saw her name at the top of the High –Score Board in a Pac-Man Playoff. After munching dots and crunching ghosts, Darlene was crowned Pac-Man Champion with 26,060 points. She was given the award of a $70 Pac-Man home game.

Louisville Mayor, and one-time gubernatorial hopeful Harvey Sloan visited the festival and saw the debut of the Ham Fest mascots, Henry Ham and Miss Triggy.

Miss Triggy has remained a fixture at the festival, but Henry joined the Dodo in the realm of extinction.

In addition to the usual events, the Cadiz Barber Shop sponsored a Checkers Tournament, while the Trigg County 4H Club conducted a Bike Rodeo.

Rain could not stop the Pac-Man tournament, though it did cancel a skydiving event and the tennis tournament. Boyce Braboy's ham was named grand champion, while Frieda Bryant donned the Miss Trigg County sash.

1983

NFL Sack-Master and Cadiz Native Coy Bacon was named to be the First Grand Marshal of the Ham festival in 1983. Having played at defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins, he was a three-time Pro Bowler. With more innovative events, the 4H held a "Sack-a-pig" contest and a pedal tractor pull, for those too small to pull a load with a full-size tractor.

Other new events included "Guess Miss Triggy," duck and goose calling and a logging display.

The Trigg County Women's Club conducted a tour of the County's finest homes while the Trigg County Self Help Group raffled a quilt.

Current City Council Member Manuel Brown competed in a Hog-Calling Contest, eventually won by Dorothy Sumner.

Bacon was not the only VIP attending the Ham Festival in 1983. Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown paid a call on the town of Cadiz as well.

The Cadiz Record's Editor Richard Wimsatt was most impressed by a camp of mountain men.  "Hatchet throwing and fine music were enjoyed by everyone."

Carole Marie Braboy was named Miss Trigg County while Douglas Freeman's ham was named Grand Champion.

1984  back to top

1984 was the year of "The Biscuit." The first Trigg County Biscuit acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records was six scrumptious feet in diameter and was prepared by Joan White of the Cadiz Restaurant.

LBL employees Kathryn Coon Harper and Cindy Womble created the first official Ham Festival Poster . Contests that year included pig weight guessing, tobacco spitting and a grocery-sacking contest, in addition to the usual events. An ultra-light aircraft fly-in and LBL Homeplace Demo entertained guests at the Ham Festival.

A Mrs. Ham Fest pageant began for married women over age 23.

Cadiz Record Columnist Keith S. Venable said, "With most of our entertainment now coming from the big cities by way of television, the Ham Festival gives us the opportunity to look at ourselves and our local art and achievement. What we see gives us a good feeling." Bill H. Sumner's country ham was declared the champion, while Virginia Alexander presented John Fourqurean with a plaque recognizing his founding of the Ham Festival and continuing involvement.

1985

It was a festival for Cabbage Patch Dolls and weekend duffers. Charlie Bender of the Trigg County Golf Club held a 36-hole golf tournament at the Boots Randolph Golf Curse. Out of five flights of golfers, $3,000 went to the top winners.

The Cadiz Record held a "First Annual" Mr. and Miss Cabbage Patch Doll contest. Calling it the "fist annual" may have been a bit ambitious, as the trend seemed to wane after 1985. Former Kentucky Wildcats Coach Joe B. Hall was named grand marshal of the parade, while Plomer Wilson's ham was called the best. Jennifer Harper was named Miss Trigg County.

In a new policy, Main Street was closed to vehicular traffic for the Festival. Ham Fest Public Relations director described the crowd as "a sea of people" on Downtown Main Street. The Ham Biscuit topped 10.5 feet in diameter.

1986 

Former Kentucky Governor and then Senator Wendell Ford paid a call to the people of Trigg County at the Festival of '86. He was joined by Representatives Ramsey Morris and Fred Curd as well as Senator Greg Higdon.

As the tenth anniversary of the Country Ham Festival, a Fair Section of the festival was held. "This is a big event. The Department of Agriculture-shows and fairs will have agricultural and home economics classes with prizes offered," said John Fourqurean.

Cadiz Record Columnist Keith S. Venable presided over the parade. Shriner clowns and go-kart races made for a fun festival for kids of all ages.

Ft. Campbell had a military hospital display, while the Hamtown Restaurant held the first "Oink Talent Contest." Kentucky Machine hosted a Pork Recipe Cook-off. Shady Lawn Nursing Home conducted hearing tests at the Senior Center and the American Cancer Society worked a fundraising booth.

Attendance was believed to have topped 25,000 guests after an article in Southern Living Magazine profiled the Ham Festival. Doug Freeman's ham was the winner of the 1986 contest.

1987  back to top

The Cadiz Record polled several Trigg County residents about what they most looked forward to at the Ham Festival. Mike Johnson said, "The antique car show, because I like looking at old cars."

It was an eventful year beyond classic cars, with a horseshoe contest and outhouse racing. The Oink Show at the Hamtown Restaurant hosted 400 people participating and watching the talented performers give their all. State Representative Ramsey Morris was declared Grand Marshal, while Pennyrile Home Medical Supply owner David Chestnut provided free wheelchair service for guests who needed.

"We want everyone to be able to join in the fun," Chestnut said.

John Egerton's essay from "A Mind to Stay Here and the Americanization of Dixie" was published in The Cadiz Record. "When I was a boy, my grandparents introduced me to country hams and beaten biscuits. My life was enriched."

The biscuit weighed nearly 400 pounds and offered over 2,200 servings to hungry festivalgoers.

Jennifer Leigh Mize was named Miss Trigg County while the shuttle-bus service debuted.

"Anytime you have 10,000 people downtown you are going to have a few problems," said Ham Fest Chairman Bill Thomas as he praised the bus service.

Audrey P'Pool was the grand-champion curer of ham for 1987.

1988

Courier-Journal Magazine Writer J. Ray Hall was named Grand Marshal for an even bigger Ham Festival that featured a historical tour and lunch at the Cadiz Baptist Church to raise funds for the John L. Street Library.

A Halloween Haunted House was built at the old Carpet Warehouse, while the Recreation Complex was turned into a mud bog for ATV riders.

Doughnut eating contests, the Farmers' Bank five-mile race, and cross-country canoe races occupied the interests of competitive guests, while 50's themed and square dances provided recreation for all. Cadiz Mascot Zidac (Cadiz spelled backwards) and his pet pig "Gip" also promoted tourism by discussing Trigg County events and being featured on T-shirts. Zidac was best known for his reversed suspenders.

Teddy McNichols of Linton started a wagon train from Linton to Cadiz for the Festival. "I thought with interest in wagon rides picking up, we could start something here to publicize the Ham Festival.

The Cadiz Record offered hand-drawn portraits for customers stopping for a subscription. Lisa Vaughn was named Miss Trigg County.

1989

Zidac praised Cadiz beautification efforts with replanted downtown flowers and the improvements at the Original Log Cabin, which had new hand-sewn curtains and borrowed furniture for plenty of Ham Festival Tours.

Smith Broadbent, jr. was named Grand Marshal of the parade, while Kiss-a-Pig contests, a "Nifty '90's fashion show" clog dancers and a Civil War Display offered guests plenty of activities.

The Future Homemakers of America sponsored Pork Avenue with plenty of games for kids, and Governor Wallace Wilkinson took in the sights and scenery at the festival.

Audrey P'Pool's ham was named best in the event, while Aubrey Lancaster was recognized by the Festival for contributions to the community. Karla Cunningham was named Miss Trigg County.

1990  back to top

The Cadiz Record was to blame for a fleet of rubber ducks swarming the Little River. In what was again described as a "First Annual Event" the Record River Race awarded a Florida vacation to the winning duck's owner. For a year's subscription or an eight-week classified ad, a duck was given to race in the river. The lucky winner was Chris Woodall. Second place was good for a five-year subscription, while third place got two years of the Finest Paper in Trigg County.

The Ham Festival inspired a harmless prank played on Mack Bryan. Her outdoor gas tank was doctored to look like a pink pig by Rudy Watkins and Elaine Briggs.

"I got so many phone calls that I couldn't watch my soap operas," Bryan said of her pig-tank.

The "Not-so-Newlywed" game tested bonds of matrimony between spouses with a few years to "get to know one another," while the Ham Festival hosted two world record holders. Not only was the largest ham biscuit on display, but also the world's largest can of paint. Volume of paint was not available.

Barbara shore and Mary Graham sold "Barbara and Mary's West Kentucky Recipe Collection Cookbook," which was a smash hit for guests that wanted to take some western Kentucky hospitality and cuisine home with them.

The Oink Contest was renamed the Ham Festival Talent Show, and featured a format inspired by the Grand 'Ol Opry. Miss Trigg County was Allison Burgess, while Rex Cook cured the champion ham.

1991 

During the 15th Ham Festival, Gov. Wallace Wilkinson made an appearance at the courthouse and presented a check in the amount of $318, 424 for the water treatment plant.

"Your mayor (Scott Sivills) has absolutely worried me to death with grants," he said to the crowd. "There has been no other mayor in Cadiz like him."

He also announced that Mid-Continent Springs of Hopkinsville would be expanding and moving into Industrial park II.

The Kickoff Breakfast was held at the Kentucky Smokehouse. Lieutenant Governor Brereton Jones and Paul Patton, who were running for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, spoke there as part of their campaign.

The balloon crew from Johnson Controls dedicated a plaque in memory of Danny Lane, who died earlier that year. Lots of kids participated in the greased pig contest at West Cadiz Park.

Jessica Finley was Miss Trigg County out of a pool of 37 contestants. Erma Boyd won crowned Mrs. Trigg County. For the second time, Boyce Braboy won the award for Grand Champion Ham.

1992

Between 20,000 and 25,000 people made their way to the 16th Trigg County Country Ham Festival. Ham Festival Committee member Harry Todd said that the festival was safer that year because it had been more spread out.

"We wanted to be more cautious about safety," he said. "With all the traffic on US 68, it creates an unsafe environment for everyone crossing the streets."

To celebrate Kentucky's bicentennial, Sarah Neighborgall dressed in an 18th century era costume and walked next to someone in a pig costume during the parade. She held a sign that said, "Dance a 1792 jig with a 1992 pig." The Cadiz Record hosted the pigpen prison. Deputy Sheriff Dane Hughes stood inside wearing a pig mask. Sheila Knight Lancaster performed with her band at the Oink Show.

Karrie Milligan was crowned Miss Trigg County and Barbara Futrell was Mrs. Trigg County. The Grand Champion Ham was entered by Robert Earl and Thelma Fowler.

1993  back to top

During the 17th Ham Festival, the Trigg County Historical Society's Save the School Committee raised $2,000 with an Old Fashioned Pie Supper. The pies were bid on, and the proceeds were to go to furnishings and maintenance for the Southern Academy, a one-room schoolhouse on the Trigg County Museum Property.

A portrait of County Judge-Executive Zellner Cossey was unveiled in the Circuit Courtroom, and the Zellner Cossey Outstanding Service Award was given to James Ray and Carl Ledford.

Victoria Mize bested 41 other competitors for the title of Miss Trigg County, Stephanie King was crowned Mrs. Trigg County.

1994

The 18th Annual Ham Festival saw its largest one-day crowd up to that point – an estimated 30,000. The completion of the US 68-80 Bypass made it possible to block traffic on Main Street for the first time since 1989.

"Having Main Street closed to traffic this year helped a lot," said Festival Chair Stephanie Perry. "We were able to draw a larger crowd."

The festival was scheduled over a two-week period, although most of the festivities took place from Oct. 14, 15 and 16. Activities were added on Sunday to help promote the downtown antique shops and Lake Barkley. Officials were a little worried that the Aurora Arts and Crafts Festival might cut down on the crowds, but it didn't seem to make a dent. Many people came out to see things like the pig derby and Black Jack, a 140-pound Vietnamese potbelly pig featured at Cindy Taylor's petting zoo in West Cadiz Park.

"Overall, we did real well," Perry said. "Everyone seemed real pleased with the festival. It created a nice atmosphere, and having Main Street closed to traffic gave people more room to walk."

LaTiya Kirby was crowned Miss Trigg County and Carolyn Rogers was Mrs. Trigg County. Charlie Bell Wadlington won Grand Champion Country Ham out of 21 entries.

1995

Another new record for crowds was set at the 19th Ham Festival with a reported 31,500 coming out to stuff their faces. There were several competing events in the area such as the Aurora Arts and Crafts Festival, activities at Kentucky Dam Village and Homecoming Weekend at Murray State University.

"We were delighted with the participation in this year's festival," said Cindy Sholar, the Ham Festival Events Chair. "It's good two more people didn't attend. I don't know where we would have put them."

Joe Case, the host of Nashville's News Channel 5's "Talk of the Town," spoke to 340 people at the Kickoff Breakfast. While he was in town, he also filmed events to air on the show. When Grand Ole Opry performer Mike Snider played a concert, 3,200 people sat on lawn chairs, bales of hay and the ground around the courthouse to enjoy the show. Snider sang country and bluegrass songs, humorous songs and stories about life.

The hams, as usual, were judged by confirmation, workmanship, meatiness, color and, most importantly, aroma. Teenie Vanzant was the Grand Champion, followed by Edith Litchfield, Gary Litchfield, the Wadlington Brothers and Robert Flood.

Miss Trigg County was Kisha Allen and Mrs. Trigg County was Sharon Wolfe.

1996  back to top

That's right, it was the big 2-0 for the Trigg County Country Ham Festival, and a new record for crowds was set when about 33,800 people came, according to Events Committee Chair Cindy Sholar.

Two hundred fifty people came to the kickoff Breakfast, where Channel 6's Scott Burrage spoke. One of the biggest events came when 12,000 came to the Ken Mellons concert that Saturday.

Jessica Marshall was crowned Miss Trigg County and Lisa Butts was Mrs. Trigg County. Connie and Scotty Gray won the award for Grand Champion Country Ham.

1997

Attendance for the 21st Ham Festival shot up considerably from the previous year when an estimated total of 80,000 people showed in the unusually warm 80-degree October weather.

Between 4,000 and 8,000 people came to the courthouse square to see David Kersh play. When Dean Hall and the Loose Eels played that Friday, 1,500 people came. A worship service was held on Sunday morning, which Sholar said got a good response. The National Guard directed traffic, which freed up committee members to take care of other things. The only major disappointment was the low attendance at the park, Sholar said. The tradition of Ham Festival political campaigning continued that year when state senate candidates Bob Jackson and Dick Dissinger made appearances, as well as Steve Henry and Charlie Owen, who were running for the United States Senate.

Miss Trigg County that year was Joanna Futrell and Becky Freeman was Mrs. Trigg County. The Grand Champion Ham was cured by Hollis and Dean Carr.

1998

At the 22nd Ham Festival's Kickoff Breakfast, Circuit Judge Bill Cunningham said the festival was not just the celebration of a Trigg County agricultural product, but mostly a celebration of the county's people.

"The most important resource of Trigg County is its people … we have a notion as to who we are and where we're going," he said.

The crowd was again estimated at 80,000, and lots of people came to watch music from Jeff Carson, the Blue Boyz, Reed Davis and the Accused, the Robbie Bartlett Band, Mickey Jack Cones and David Delaney. Another festival feature was the Kids Day Circus, where kids dressed up as animals or circus performers.

Trigg County Farmers Bank commissioned Dave Henderson of the Sand Sculpture Coalition in San Diego, Calif. to come make giant sculptures. Thirty-four tons of sand were brought in from the Blue Springs area of Lake Barkley and placed on Main Street for Henderson to work with. After he arrived, Henderson looked at the space with which he had to work, made some sketches and decided to sculpt two pigs instead of one. Plenty of festival attendees stopped in their tracks to watch him work throughout the week.

"If I can make a living making sand castles, you can do anything in America," he said.

Sadly, the pigs were destroyed Sunday night, apparently by vandals. Chera-Lyn Cook, 1998's Miss Kentucky, made an appearance at the festival on Saturday. United States Rep. Scotty Baesler, who was the Democratic candidate for the Senate that year, but he had to cancel because Congress had an unexpected session to work on budget matters. Lieutenant Governor Steve Henry spoke to Democrats instead.

Callie Ginn was crowned Miss Trigg County and Melissa Mitchell was honored as Mrs. Trigg County. James Adams Jr. won Grand Champion Ham and his father won third place.

1999  back to top

The 23rd Ham Festival was a rainy one, but plenty of people still showed up. Police Chief Hollis Alexander estimated a crowd of 60,000, and many thought that it might have been the best Sunday crowd.

"The weather didn't affect it as much as we thought it would," said Festival Chairman Kerry Fowler.

Fowler's ham was named Grand Champion for the first time after placing several times in previous years. Miss Trigg County that year was Jodi Sumner and Mrs. Trigg County was Toi Jenkins.

2000

At the Kickoff Breakfast for the 24th Ham Fest, Kim Burkeen was given the Spirit of Ham Festival Award for her efforts in getting the festival in the Library of Congress.

Hundreds of children came out to West Cadiz Park for rides, the petting zoo and the "money in the haystack" competition. Festival Chair Kerry Fowler said that 80,000 people made an appearance at the festival that year. He said that 25,000 were there Friday, 40,000 were there Saturday, and 20,000 were there Sunday. "That's the biggest ever," Fowler said. "It was great. We had perfect weather and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make it a success."

For the second year, Fowler won the Grand Champion Ham Award. Jason Behrends, a University of Kentucky graduate student from Texas was one of the judges. He said he was looking for hams between 13 ½ and 23 pounds.

"They usually make the best-tasting hams," he said. "Bigger hams don't do as well."

Christy Sheriger was crowned Mrs. Trigg County and Michelle LeClaire won the title of Miss Trigg County.

"I never expected to make it into the top 10, much less win," said an ecstatic LeClaire.

The 1999 Miss Trigg County was there to wish the young contestants luck.

"I've had a wonderful year and met many different people," she said. "It begins as soon as the crown is handed over. I was meeting people that very night."

2001 

At the 25th Ham Festival, heavy rain canceled events like the World's Largest Ham and Biscuit, the Firemen's Olympics and a concert by country singer Jett Williams. Still, visitors came from all around the country, such as Montana, Louisiana, Indiana and Missouri. Plus, bands like Stone Country, VW Boys and Funkengruven still played their shows. Crowds ran for shelter Saturday when occasional cloudbursts "brought a damp curtain on festivities."

Emily Jane Bridges was named Miss Trigg County for 2001, and Kate Steinbeck was first runner-up.

The first Ham Festival fireworks display occurred on Friday. Lots of folks came out and enjoyed calliope, bumper cars, corndogs, tattoos and the games park carnival.

2002  back to top

The big controversy at the 26th Ham Festival was whether Trigg County was going to be able to hold onto its title for the World's Largest Country Ham and Biscuit in the Guinness Book of World Records. On Sept. 28 of that year, Smithfield Foods, Inc., a Fortune 500 company in Smithfield, Va. took the title . By the time the festival started, the Guinness still hadn't certified the effort yet, but it looked like one of the world's largest ham marketers was going to snag the record.

The high school's Future Farmers of America were responsible for baking that year's biscuit. Ricky Burgess, the FFA president, said the members didn't anything special to try to preserve the title, but stuck to the time-tested and approved recipe that earned Trigg County the title in 1985.

"We might have added a little more yeast to it to make sure it would rise," said the student advisor, Allen Smith. "It looked like it was doing pretty well when we checked it. We didn't do anything any different. It's the world's largest in diameter anyway."

Broadbent's B & B Food Products made the biscuit that set the record in 1985. Beth Drennan, one of the current co-owners, documented the effort in 2002 so she could file the paperwork and try to get the title back for Trigg County, although that effort eventually failed.

The first day of the festival saw a good soaking, but officials estimated a total of 75,000 attendees over the three-day period. Jett Williams, who had canceled the year before because of heavy rain, performed a concert. Additional entertainment included Mr. Blues Jones, Eddie Pennington, Milano, the Tyrees, the McKendrees and Sworn, a band from Cadiz.

Mandee McGee was crowned Miss Trigg County and Kimberly Riddle was Mrs. Trigg County.

2003

Although Trigg County no longer officially had the World's Largest Country Ham and Biscuit, that didn't deter people from being excited and coming to get a taste of the biscuit. "It's the biggest one I've ever seen anyway," one spectator was heard to remark.

The 27th Ham Festival was the first year an actual head count was taken. Through a somewhat complicated formula, officials that the festival received between 25,000 and 30,000 visitors. One new addition to the festival was Trigg County Wildcat Cheerleaders Dunking Booth, and people seemed to enjoy dunking Superintendent Tim McGinnis.

Tiny Guier won the Grand Champion Ham Award and Ashley Brooke Adams was crowned Miss Trigg County.

2004

The big controversy at the 28th Ham Festival was that the Festival Committee had banned horses from appearing in the parade to prevent their droppings and horseshoes from damaging the streets. To protest, some "peaceful demonstrators" rode horses behind the parade route, although police forced them to take Brown Street instead of continuing on Main Street. Some offensive comments were also shouted at some of the committee members.

"I was very disappointed at the comments thrown at the Ham Fest Committee," said Main Street Manager Cindy Sholar. "The committee didn't deserve that."

The Shriners Club, which is known for its assembly of small cars, trucks and horses in parades around the country, was also cut out of the parade. Buddy Gish, the Shriners' secretary and spokesman, was not happy.

"We think we have been discriminated against," Gish said. We [participate] for the entertainment of little kids, middle-aged people and older folks."

One of the festival's highlights that year was the appearance of Grand Ole Opry performer Mike Snider, who used to be on the television show, "Hee-Haw." Snider played mandolin and was backed up by two fiddlers, a guitar, a banjo and a bass fiddle.

The forecast had called for rain, but festivalgoers lucked out. Still, the crowds were a little less than previous years and Friday was sparse compared with Saturday and Sunday.

Out of 29 teenagers competing, Vanessa Baker was crowned Miss Trigg County.

2005  back to top

Rodger "Kentucky Joe" Bingham spoke at the Kickoff Breakfast for the 29th Ham Festival. Bingham was one of the contestants on the "Survivor: The Australian Outback." He lasted 36 of the 42 days on the show, and he was one of the final five contestants before he was voted off. Since that time, he had made many public appearances and was appointed to the office of Deputy Executive Director of Agriculture, Marketing and Product Promotion with the Department of Agriculture.

Wayne McAtee was named Farmer of the Year and Charlotte Wilson was given the Spirit of Ham Festival Award for her support since the festival's beginning.

Peggy Graham coordinated Helping Hands' efforts to make the 10-foot biscuit that year. She said that many people told her it was the best biscuit they had had.

2006 

The Trigg County Ham Festival celebrated its 30th Anniversary with perhaps the biggest and best event ever. Fairgoers enjoyed the music of Hopkinsville's Brice Long on Friday night, while Shenandoah kept the feet tapping on Saturday. In celebrating 30 years of the event and Trigg County culture, organizers sold merchandise to commemorate the momentous anniversary. The festival reported selling out of 288 Christmas ornaments marking the occasion, and T-shirts remained as popular as ever.

Tiffany Leigh Brunson won the title of Mrs. Trigg County, while Erin Oakley won the Crown of Miss Trigg County. Tony Holland's ham won the coveted blue ribbon in the ham contest.

In the final festival in the shadow of the now-razed courthouse, Ham Festival Committee President Thelma Fowler said, "This was the best Ham Festival ever. Everything went really well. Nothing came up that we couldn't take care of."

Fowler's greatest challenge might have been strong wind gusts that shifted some tents and booths along Main Street on Friday. Despite the stiff breeze, no major incidents disrupted festivities, and smiles abounded.

2007

The 2007 Ham Festival was the first year that there was no courthouse downtown and no bales of hay sit on around it, as well as no vendors on the closed Monroe and Court streets. Even so, the downtown area seemed just as packed as it ever had been. At the opening ceremony, Judge-Executive Stan Humphries promised that the missing courthouse would not deter from the festival even if a few problems might arise.

"We'll get the bugs worked out and we'll make it even better next year," he said to the crowd gathered at the Renaissance Stage on Friday morning.

For the first time, a tractor pull was held at the Recreation Complex, and the participants pulled loads from one in the afternoon until well into the night after the square dance had started that Saturday. Also on Saturday, the David Ball Acoustic trip entertained an eager crowd on the Renaissance Stage.

Lana Leneave was crowned Miss Trigg County and Alice Johnson was crowned Mrs. Trigg County. Leneave coul be seen walking around the festival all weekend with her best friend, Miss Trigg County 2007 Erin Oakley. At one point, they even rode the camel in the park together with a young girl.

Another unusual feature of that year's festival was the artist Sig Skundberg, who made several chalk drawings of classic paintings on the sidewalk outside the Janice Mason Art Museum. Children (both actual children and children at heart) filled in the drawing with different colors of chalk, following a grid of the painting.

"We had people three years old to 76 working on this," Skundberg said.

2008  back to top

The 32nd annual Trigg County Country Ham Festival went off without a hitch according to organizers. Favorable and unseasonably warm weather and a good turnout among visitors ensured a good time at the annual event.

Cadiz Police Chief Hollis Alexander reported no major incidents at the festival. "I feel like attendance might have been down a little from last year. We didn't have as large as a crowd on Friday but it looked about the same as usual on Saturday."

Trigg County Tourism Executive Director Bill Stevens echoed the Chief's observations. "We saw the bigger crowd on Saturday, which is historically the case. My office was the intermediary between vendors and the planning committee. Most vendors were afraid about how they were going to do with the economy as it is, but the ones I talked to on Main Street said that they made up for a slower Friday on Saturday. The ones I talked to had no major complaints."

Stevens said that many local lodging facilities reported few, if any vacancies. "Lake Barkley filled up, and we sent some people to Prizer Point. The week before, we did a survey of available rooms, and we saw limited vacancies at Super 8, Knights Inn and Broadbent's, but I haven't talked to any operators after the festival yet to find out how they did."

Stevens said that he believed booth rentals to be greater than previous years, and met patrons of the county fair from neighboring communities and from other states like New Jersey and Wisconsin. He added that he met a guest at the fair from the nation of Honduras.

Ham Festival Planning Committee Member Melissa Noel said, "We had a fantastic weekend. Weather wise, it was almost perfect, but it was a little hot on Saturday."

Noel said that some vendors reported decreased sales from previous years, while others remained comparable to previous years. "Some of the local people reported a really good weekend. Vendors in the park, including some churches sold hot dogs and hamburgers and were extremely popular with kids."

Noel said, ice cream and cold beverages were some of the most popular items sought by fair goers during the weekend. She said that food sales appeared slow at first, but increased as the weekend progressed.

The Cadiz Record's Accuweather Forecasting Service reported highs of 82, 86 and 84 degrees for the three days of the festival with no precipitation. Average high temperatures for the same three days, October 10, 11 and 12 are usually in the low 70's according to the service's records.

Noel said that some vendors in the park felt that they did not get as much exposure in the area. "One of the more positive comments we heard was that everyone was able to find a ham and biscuit. The city was out in front of city hall and people were popping in all day long to get one. I am not sure how many were sold, but it was a huge number."

She added that Saturday's concert by Bryan White seemed popular with fair guests. "I'm not good at estimating numbers, but the area was filled out and people watched from the streets. All-in-all, it was a very successful festival."

While at the festival, James "Porkchop" Hopson said, "I've been to every Ham Festival. I've never missed one. It's still early, there will be more people here by the time it is over." Hopson said that he planned to ride a horse in Sunday's parade.

Sandra Carrington of Martin, Tenn., said, "We came to Cadiz for the festival. It's great. We come every year."

2009 

Approximately 40,000 people attended this year's Trigg County Country Ham Festival, a number that includes people who attended events at the Trigg County Recreation Complex, said Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism Director Bill Stevens. Stevens said this is lower than the average of 50,000 visitors from previous years due to what he called the "wash out" on Friday.

Stevens said it wasn't yet known how much money was made at the festival, as that will likely be announced at the next Ham Festival Committee meeting Oct. 26, but most of the vendors he spoke to told him they had a good time at the festival.

"I even talked to someone who came all the way from Pennsylvania, so the festival still had an impact," Stevens said.

Although Friday was rather unsuccessful due to the rain, there were more people attending Saturday than there have been during previous Ham Festival Saturdays, said Stevens.

Kevin Alexander won the annual ham contest, Robyn Wadlington won the 4-H youth ham contest, and Megan Carneyhan was the top 4-H exhibitor of the year. Brooke Allen was named the 2009 Miss Trigg County, and Ellie Jolly was first runner-up.

2010  back to top

Cadiz Renaissance Director Leida Underhill, who is also a member of the Trigg County Ham Festival Committee, estimated that as many as 80,000 people attended the 2010 Trigg County Ham Festival.

The economic impact of the festival on the Cadiz/Trigg County area is estimated at $2.5 million. Bill Stevens, executive director of the Cadiz/Trigg County Tourism Commission, said, adding that that is a conservative estimate.

"It was a little warm, but the weather was much better than it was last year," Fowler said. "I didn't hear a single complaint about the festival. Everyone sounded positive."

A lot of people from out of town came to the festival, having seen it advertised, Fowler said. She also theorized that people from nearby, instead of taking a long trip, decided to vacation somewhere close due to tight budgets.

Underhill said, :It was simply a good weekend for a festival."

John Jordan, administrator for Lake Barkley State Resort Park, roasted a whole pig with an apple in its mouth at the new justice center parking lot on Saturday, and he said that more than 100 people viewed it.

Ellen Jolly was named the 2010 Miss Trigg County.

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