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Trigg County Country Ham Festival 2023
All Ham Festival Information
provided by the Festival Committee
Click HERE for the Ham Festival Map
Click HERE for the Ham Festival Schedule
Click HERE for Ham Festival Entertainment
Click HERE for Ham Festival Vendors
| The 2023 Trigg County Country Ham Festival | |
WKDZ officially kicked off the 47th Annual Trigg County Country Ham Festival with LIVE coverage from the Ham Festival Breakfast, sponsored by the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce, held this morning at the Trigg County Recreation Complex.
WKDZ will be broadcasting live this Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
That's over 14 hours of solid Ham Festival coverage, which will include LIVE streaming video on wkdzradio.com and whvoradio.com, brought to you by Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism. We're broadcasting live from the WKDZ/WHVO Mini-Plex located at the Bank of Cadiz, downtown.
In addition to our radio and video coverage, you'll have a chance to enjoy photos from this year's Trigg County Country Ham Festival on our websites at www.wkdzradio.com and www.whvoradio.com. You can also listen from anywhere in the world by streaming live at www.wkdzradio.com.
It is truly a privilege to be a corporate sponsor of one of the Top 10 festivals in the south, which draws more than 50,000 people each year to our beautiful downtown. WKDZ has been the official radio station of the Ham Festival since 1993, but has been involved in the Ham Festival for its entire 47 years!
While you are strolling down Main Street, stop by and visit with us at the WKDZ Booth. We will have a prize wheel to spin to win prizes: UK on WKDZ Tote Bags, Downloads of Music from various Artists, Ink Pens, WKDZ/UK Stadium Cups, WHVO/70's at 7 Stadium Cups, WKDZ Lip Balm, YSE Koozies, and YSE Water Bottles. We will also have Stickers and UK Basketball Schedules.
Don't forget to tag your photos on social with #HamFest2023 so we can see YOUR favorite parts of the Ham Festival.
We'll be right in front of the WKDZ Renaissance Stage. While you are there, be sure to ask about our Loyal Listener Big Deals.
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Ham Fest 2023 - Kickoff Awards Recognition | |
The Trigg County Country Ham Festival began as a celebration of agriculture and the heritage that surrounds it. What better way to kick off the 2023 Festival than the Country Ham Breakfast and Awards ceremony!
AWARD PRESENTATIONS
The WKDZ Farmer of the Year Award was presented to David Cunningham by WKDZ News and Farm Director Alan Watts. David and his wife Jill, live on the family farm on Will Jackson Road. He spends his time tending his cattle herd and producing hay. His farming heritage dates back to his grandfather, Waymon Cunningham, who farmed near the Cumberland River in the Rockcastle community. Click HERE to read more!
The 2023 Farm Mom of the Year was presented to Mrs. Lucille Major by Stephanie Perry. Mrs. Major still lives on the family farm on Kings Chapel Road. She and her late husband Mr. Eddie Major raised livestock, tobacco, row crops, and cured country hams, sausage, bacon, and other products from hogs raised on their farm. Click HERE to read more!
The George Bleidt-Marvin Broadbent Spirit of the Trigg County Country Ham Festival Award was presented to Craig, Stephanie, and Shannon Perry by Clarissa King. Clarissa recognized the Perrys for the behind-the-scenes work they do to make the Ham Festival happen each year. The Perrys have supported the Ham Festival in many ways including providing straw and labor, pigs for the greased pig and sack the pig contests, and a number of other ways. Click HERE to read more!
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Ham Fest 2023 - Support Our Local Community | |
The Ham Festival is a very important fundraising weekend for many of our non-profit organizations, clubs, Relay For Life, and others who depend on your help. For many, this is the only fundraiser of the year. When you're out enjoying the Ham Festival, be sure to visit our non-profits, buy a raffle ticket, or purchase your food from local vendors, they will appreciate it, and it is money that stays in our community and helps our friends and neighbors. Here's a sampling of the local organizations we encourage you to support during the Ham Festival.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:
Ham Festival Committee - Information, sales of the official Ham Festival t-shirts, and registration for the Friday night and Saturday night "Big Hamtastic Drawing" (must be present to win).
Trigg County 4-H - Will have Country Ham and & Biscuits, prepared by Hancock's Neighborhood Market, for a donation, on Friday and Saturday mornings. They will also be selling whole country hams at the Trigg County Extension Office Booth in front of the Cadiz Baptist Church Annex.
Helping Hands of Cadiz-Trigg County - Will prepare KY's largest edible country ham and biscuit, and sell pieces of it as a fundraiser on Saturday morning beginning around 11:00. They will also have raffles and information about the Helping Hands program.
Genesis Express - Their famous Jail & Bail; a free throw game; and, fish and drinks for sale.
Cadiz Lions Club - Raffle for a $500 Visa gift card and selling drinks, water, and juice.
Barkley Lake Ducks Unlimited - Raffle for a gun.
Friends of Lake Barkley - Raffles, sales of bat/bird houses, promotion, and recruiting new members.
American Legion Auxiliary - Garden basket raffle and information.
Trigg County Quilters Guild - Raffle for a handmade quilt made by the Trigg County Quilters Guild.
VFW Post 7890 - Pass out information for Veterans, membership drive, and poppy donations.
Cadiz-Trigg County Crime Stoppers - Raffles and information.
Trigg County Long Spurs - Raffle for a chance to win a rifle.
Right to Life of Christian County - Educational materials on Pro-Life.
Gracefully Sweet Fudge by Grace & Mercy - Pre-packed homemade fudge.
Voice for Animals - Engraved animal tags and handed out information about the organization.
Team Jonnie, Relay For Life - Hot dogs, chips, drinks - located at West Cadiz Park.
Trigg Special Olympics - "Dunk A Deputy" in a dunk tank with all proceeds going to Trigg Special Olympics - located at West Cadiz Park.
AREA CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS:
Wallonia Baptist Church - Sharing the gospel through EvangiCubes, The Bible, Salvation Bracelets, and Tracks - all given away; Face and hair Painting, Balloons, Balloon Animals, Free water, chips, candy, soft drinks, small toys, and pencils.
Word of Hope Church - Church information.
Kings Chapel Fellowship - Gospel and information about the Church.
Living Waters Church - Literature and door prizes.
Calvary Baptist Church - Gospel tracks and free water.
Celebrate Recovery Cadiz - Ministry info and accepting donations
Lighthouse Church - Church information.
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Ham Fest 2023 - NEW CONTESTS | |
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COUNTRY HAM & BISCUIT EATING CONTEST
The first Country Ham & Biscuit Eating Contest will be held on Saturday, October 14, at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Trigg County Justice Center. Celebrity Contestants will be given a dozen country ham and biscuits and have 10 minutes to see how many they can eat. Whoever can eat the most wins over $2,500 for their charity!
Celebrity Contestants
Tyler Thomas, Cadiz Chief of Police - Seven Friends
Scott Embry, Trigg County Hospital - Toys for Tots
Aaron Acree, Trigg County Sheriff - Trigg County Special Olympics
Scott Bridges, Barkley Lake Water District - Back2Back Foundation
Pat Bush, Trigg County Magistrate - Helping Hands
George Radford - Genesis Express
Jeff Oliver, City of Cadiz - Pink Ribbon Network
Bill Thorpe, Trigg County Schools - The Way Christian Youth Center
Vote for your favorite Celebrity Contestant by placing your donation in the bucket in front of that Contestant. The "Fan Favorite" Contestant with the most money in their bucket wins - and will receive ALL the money from all Contestants' buckets for their charity.
MULLET & BEARD CONTESTS
The Mullet & Beard Contests will be held on Saturday, October 14, at 12:30 p.m. at the WKDZ Renaissance Stage.
The Mullet contest will be judged with prizes awarded to four different age groups for Mullet Size/Length 25%; Style & Presentation/Overall Look 25%; and, Audience Reaction 50%.
The Beard Contest will have three categories - Mr. Mustache (Mustache only), Baddest Beard (Best Beard), and Creative Face Off (Stylish Beard). Contestants will be judged with prizes awarded for Beard/Stache/Length 25%; Style & Presentation/Overall Look 25%; and, Audience Reaction 50%.
All participants must be registered by Noon.
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Ham Fest 2023 -
Homemakers, 4-H, Ag Exhibits - All on Display at the Cadiz Baptist Church Annex
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ARTS, CRAFTS, and CANNING CONTESTS
The Trigg County Extension Service will sponsor the Arts and Crafts and Home Canning Contests again this year. Also, the Food Exhibits return for 2023, as well as the Bake-off and Pork Recipe Contests.
All entries need to be made by Noon THURSDAY at the Cadiz Baptist Church Annex.
The Church Annex will be open to view the Displays on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
COUNTRY HAM SHOW
Trigg County Country Ham Producers, Outside of Trigg County Ham Producers, and 4-H Youth Class will compete for the honor of Grand Champion Country Ham, during the annual Country Ham Show. Producers can enter hams by checking them in at the Cadiz Baptist Church Annex between 8:00 a.m. and Noon on THURSDAY, October 12.
Judging starts Saturday at 10:00 a.m. with the awards and recognition presentation announced at Noon at the WKDZ Renaissance Stage by WKDZ's Farm Director and Ad Edge Host, Alan Watts. The Hams will remain on display until 2:00 p.m. and must be picked up after 4:00 p.m. Saturday at the Cadiz Baptist Church Annex.
Saturday afternoon at 3:00, the top five 4-H Youth hams will be sold at auction on the WKDZ Renaissance Stage.
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Ham Fest 2023 -
Kentucky's Largest Edible Ham & Biscuit
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Kentucky's Largest Edible Country Ham and biscuit will be prepared, baked, and served again this year by Helping Hands of Cadiz-Trigg County. Preparation begins early Saturday morning in the parking lot of the Bank of Cadiz, with baking in the huge oven to begin around 8:30 a.m. It's normally ready to be eaten around 11:30 a.m. You can purchase a piece of ham and biscuit, with all proceeds going to Helping Hands.
Here's the recipe in case you want to cook a ham and biscuit to compare to the one you'll see at the 47th Annual Trigg County Country Ham Festival:
150 Pounds of Flour
9 Gallons of Buttermilk
6 Pounds of Sugar
2 ¼ Gallons of Water
4 Cups of Salt
3 Cups of Yeast
1 Cup of Soda
Several Hams
Makes one biscuit that measures 10 feet and 6 inches in diameter and weighs a whopping 400 pounds!
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Ham Fest 2023 - Entertainment - Friday & Saturday | |
This year's Trigg County Country Ham Festival has something for everybody! From arts, and crafts, delicious food, designer pigs, and of course entertainment. All the fun starts Friday, October 13th, and will last through Sunday, October 15th.
This year's Festival will feature a ton of Kentucky talents and others, such as Justin Cole, Unclaimed Baggage, Aaron Crawford, Rewind, King Kaiju, Caleb Lake, Tyson Leamon, and Legacy.
Back by popular demand as a headliner act is Rewind! Rewind, a full band, will bring you the best of the '70s and '80s rock and pop music when they take the Ham Festival Main Stage on Friday night from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. For more information on Rewind, Click HERE!
Saturday night's main entertainment will open with Tyson Leamon. He's a songwriter with bold country vocal tones. Tyson will take the Ham Festival Main Stage from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
The Saturday night headliner, Legacy, will perform the very best classic rock. Legacy, the '70s, '80s, and '90s cover band, will take the Ham Festival Main Stage from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Click HERE for more on Legacy!
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Ham Fest 2023 - Activities, Food, & Booths | |
CARNIVAL
The Great American Shows Carnival will once again return to the Trigg County Country Ham Festival at West Cadiz Park.
Mega Pass Armbands are $50 and will be good for unlimited rides from Thursday afternoon through Sunday. Single tickets may also be purchased.
The Carnival will be open for rides on Thursday around 4:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until after the nightly activities, and on Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m.
A portion of the ticket proceeds is returned to the Trigg County Country Ham Festival Committee to use for free concerts and activities at the Festival.
MONEY IN THE HAYSTACK
The Annual FNB Bank Money in the Haystack will be held on Saturday, October 14, at 10:00 a.m., at West Cadiz Park.
This fun children's event is open to kids 12 and under to find cash, candy, and more in the hay. This is a free event.
PETTING ZOO
The Two Sisters Petting Zoo will be featured as the Petting Zoo this year.
The Zoo will be located at West Cadiz Park behind the Carnival.
FOOD AND VENDOR BOOTHS
Don't forget to check out the food and vendor booths, on Main Street, at the WKDZ Renaissance Stage area, on Marion Street, at the Justice Center parking area, and at West Cadiz Park.
Enjoy your favorite foods: Country Ham & Biscuits, BBQ Bologna, Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Phillys, Brats, Polish Sausage, Fish, Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs, Chili Cheese Dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Sliders, Chicken Strips, Wings, Turkey Legs, Pulled Pork, Mutton, Pork Chops, Brisket, Ribs, Ribeyes, Mexican Food, Tacos, Quesadillas, Burritos, Chicago Style Food, Bloomin' Onions, Ribbon Fries, French Fries, BBQ Baked Potatoes, BBQ Corn on Cob, Deep Fried - Pickles, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Cheese Curds, Onion Rings, Walking Tacos, Nachos, Salads, Homestyle Family Food, Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake and Bananas, Funnel Cakes, Deep Fried Sweets, Variety of Gourmet Cupcakes, Homemade Ice Cream, Shaved Ice, Snow Cones, Baked Items, and Lemon and Strawberry Shakeups, Specialty Lemonade, Sweet Tea, Gourmet Coffee, and MORE!!!
Tables and Chairs on Marion Street are provided by 13 Marion Unique Finds in front of their store, or you can eat while enjoying a hay bale at the WKDZ Renaissance Stage area, Justice Center Parking Lot, Main Stage, or in the shade at the West Cadiz Park.
Crafts, merchandise, and information booths line Main Street, from the Bank of Cadiz to the Stoplight at Hwy. 139, and in West Cadiz Park. Just about anything you could imagine will be available, along with information, numerous raffles, and giveaways!
All of the rides and vendors at the West Cadiz Park will also be open Sunday from Noon until 5:00 p.m.
PARADE
The Ham Festival Parade will return this year on Sunday, October 15!
Anyone can enter by contacting Cadiz City Hall. The parade lineup on Sunday will be at Noon behind the Trigg County Middle School. The parade will begin at 1:00 p.m.
All vendors will be gone and parking will be allowed on Main Street.
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Ham Fest 2023 - Country Ham & Biscuits | |
The Trigg County 4-H Youth will have Country Ham & Biscuits prepared by Hancock's Neighborhood Market, for a donation, on Friday and Saturday starting at 9:00. They will be in the Trigg County Extension Service Booth No. 15 in front of the Cadiz Baptist Church Annex. 4-H members will also be selling whole country hams from Broadbent B & B Foods.
Good ole Country Ham and biscuits for breakfast, and all day long, can be found at Bren's Snack Shack, Booth Nos. 47-48-49, at the end of the Marion Street Food Court, right at the Shuttle Bus Stop. Don't tell anybody - but they have their famous chocolate-covered cheesecake and Chocolate-covered bananas too!
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Ham Fest 2023 - Activities at the
Cadiz Baptist Church Annex Parking Lot
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FREE ACTIVITIES - REST AREA - CHANGING TABLES
Cadiz Baptist Church will sponsor a FAMILY FUN ZONE AREA on Friday, October 13, at 4:00 p.m., in the Church Parking Lot next to the Church Annex Building.
There will be Music and Inflatables. The Church will also have seating for people to come in and sit down. There will be baby changing tables available to use.
The area will be safe and well-lit.
CAR SHOW
The Cadiz Baptist Church Men's Brotherhood will sponsor the 28th Annual Benefit Car, Truck, & Motorcycle Show on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Cadiz Baptist Church Parking Lot next to the Church Annex.
There is a $20.00 registration fee that will go to benefit building the 17th Church in Bangladesh and "The Way" Youth Ministries in Trigg County.
Dash plaques for all entries. Awards will be presented at 3:00 p.m.
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Ham Fest 2023 - Souvenirs | |
The only Official 2023 Trigg County Ham Festival T-Shirt, will be on sale at the Trigg County Country Ham Festival Information Booth No. 60, right in front of Cadiz City Hall. All sizes of t-shirts are $15.
Don't forget to stop by the Ham Festival Booth and get your ticket for the Big "Hamtastic" Drawing, to be held both Friday and Saturday afternoons at 4:45 at the WKDZ Renaissance Stage. Only 1 entry per day, and you must be present to win.
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Ham Fest 2023 - First Aid/Medical Attention | |
Trigg County Hospital and Emergency Medical Services will be on hand to provide first aid and medical services.
Medical personnel will have an ambulance located in the heart of downtown Cadiz on Court Street next to the Justice Center parking lot.
The Trigg County Ambulance Department will have a second location at West Cadiz Park, next to the restrooms, to provide first aid and medical care.
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Ham Fest 2023 - Shuttle Bus Service | |
The Shuttle Bus service will run on Friday and Saturday ONLY from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will take you back to the location where you boarded. NO Buses will run on Sunday.
Parking and shuttle bus stops will be located at the Cadiz Church of Christ in East Cadiz, and at the Cadiz Masonic Lodge in West Cadiz. The ONLY downtown stop will be at Marion Street, at the end of the Food Court.
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If you choose not to ride the shuttle bus, downtown parking is available on Perry Street - turn off Jefferson Street/Kentucky 139, and go to Perry Street, and there is parking available along the backside of the street.
You can also park in the grass area on the South side of US 68 and the West side of Hwy. 139 at the stop light.
Handicapped Parking is behind Cadiz Christian Church - between Madison Street and Franklin Street.
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Ham Fest 2023 - Public Restrooms | |
Public restrooms are available at the following locations:
Scott Street - next to Janice Mason Art Museum.
Jefferson/Monroe Street - Shuttle Bus stop at Marion Street in the City Parking Lot.
Main Street at Trigg Justice Center - East Side Street;
Montgomery Street - next to the former Blue Heron - toward Hwy. 139/Jefferson Street.
West Cadiz Park, on the Carnival Side.
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Please leave your pets at home.
NO PETS ARE ALLOWED DOWNTOWN DURING THE FESTIVAL!!
The only exception is service dogs that are leashed and have proper vest identification worn.
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