WKDZ officially kicked off the 48th 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 48 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 & Win" prizes: WKDZ Koozies, WKDZ Coasters, WKDZ and WHVO Ink Pens, WHVO Hand Fans, and Your Sports Edge Water Bottles. The prize wheel will include prizes from Hancock's, The Persnickety Pig, Max's, Wendy's, Triplets, Gigi's Boutique & Gifts, and a Kid's Toy Box with several items including WKDZ Toy Microphones. We will also have Stickers and UK Basketball Schedules.

Don't forget to tag your photos on social media with #HamFest2024 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.



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, ice, and country hams; 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.

The Little River Baptist Association and The Way - Will prepare KY's largest edible country ham and biscuit, and sell pieces of it, and gravy, as a fundraiser on Saturday morning. The biscuit should come out of the oven and sales start around 11:00.

Sanctuary House - Information on Sanctuary House and programs offered.

Genesis Express - Their famous Jail & Bail, and fish and drinks for sale.

Cadiz Lions Club - Selling soda, water, brooms, and chimes.

Lake Barkley Ducks Unlimited - Raffle of items and information on Lake Barkley Ducks Unlimited.

Friends of Lake Barkley - Raffles for a gift basket, promotion, and recruiting new members.

American Legion Auxiliary - Raffle and information.

Trigg County Quilters Guild - Selling tickets to the Trigg County Quilters Guild display at the Janice Mason Art Museum.

VFW Post 7890 - Pass out information for Veterans, membership drive, and poppy donations.

Gracefully Sweet Fudge by Grace & Mercy - Pre-packed homemade fudge and nuts.

Wild Turkey Federation - Raffle of rifle and info on the Wild Turkey Foundation.

Little River Boat Ramp Project - Raffle of a kayak.

Team Jonnie, Relay For Life - Hot dogs, chips, candy, cold drinks, and hot chocolate - located at West Cadiz Park.

AREA CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS:

Wallonia Baptist Church - Sharing the gospel, face painting, hair painting, balloon animals, bible giveaway, bottled water, candy, and small toys.

Word of Hope Church - Word of gospel and pre-packaged candies.

Calvary Baptist Church - Free tracks and water, raffling gift baskets, and giving out information on Calvary Baptist Church.

Gideons International - New Testament Bible giveaway and information about the new Gideon's Bible app.

BLACK SOIL KY - NONPROFIT AGRIBUSINESS - OFFERING FREE FOOD

At WKDZ, we're excited to welcome Black Soil KY to this year's Trigg County Country Ham Festival! They'll be located alongside the WKDZ Broadcast Booth in front of the Bank of Cadiz on Friday, October 11th, and Saturday, October 12th, and will be distributing fresh meat and produce - absolutely FREE!

This year, in collaboration with the Edge Media Group Statewide Radio Network, Black Soil KY has been showcasing their mission through a Festivals Tour across Western Kentucky! CLICK HERE! to read more!

CLICK HERE to learn more about Black Soil KY!

COUNTRY HAM & BISCUIT EATING CONTEST

The 2nd Annual Country Ham & Biscuit Eating Contest will be held on Saturday, October 12, at 11:00 a.m. on the WKDZ Stage in Renaissance Square. Contestants will be given a plate of ham and biscuits prepared by Hancock's Neighborhood Market, and have 8 minutes to see how many they can eat. The contestant who eats the most wins $2,500 for their charity!

Contestants / Charity

Aaron Acree, Trigg County Sheriff - Special Olympics

Scott Brown, WKDZ/WHVO - Trigg County EMS Elf Magic Squad

John David Fourqurean - Seven Friends

Jamie Gapp - Back-2-Back Foundation

Daniel Hardy - Helping Hands

Anthony Browder - Genesis Express

Tulsa Lewis - Pink Ribbon Network

Paxton Redd - The Way Christian Youth Center

Rex Booth - Beta Nu Angel Tree

Lindsey Stewart - Imagination Library

Vote for your favorite Celebrity Contestant by placing your donation in the bucket in front of that Contestant. The Contestant with the most money in their bucket wins "Crowd Favorite."

Just for participating, each non-profit will receive a $100 donation, plus funds raised for their Contestants' bucket.

MULLET & BEARD CONTESTS

The 2nd Annual Mullet Contest will be held on Saturday, October 12, at Noon at the WKDZ Renaissance Stage.

The 2nd Annual Beard Contest will be held on Saturday, October 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the WKDZ Renaissance Stage.

HOG CALLING CONTEST

The Hog Calling Contest will be held on Saturday, October 12, at 3:30 p.m. on the WKDZ Renaissance Stage. We want to SOOEY you there!



ARTS, CRAFTS, BAKING, CANNING, PORK RECIPE,

and AGRICULTURE CONTESTS

The Trigg County Extension Service will sponsor the Arts and Crafts, Home Canning, and Agriculture Contests again this year. Also, the Food Exhibits return for 2024, as well as the Bake-off and Pork Recipe Contests.

The Church Annex will be open to view the Displays on Friday, October 11th, and Saturday, October 12th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Exhibits must be picked up on Saturday, October 12, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., or on Monday, October 14, Ham from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

COUNTRY HAM SHOW

Trigg County Country Ham Producers and 4-H Youth Class Grand Champion Country Hams will be on display on Friday and Saturday at the Cadiz Baptist Church Annex.

Judging was held Tuesday, October 8, at the Trigg County Extension Office, with the awards and recognition presentations held at the Kickoff Breakfast. The Hams will remain on display through Saturday, October 12. Hams must be picked up between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Saturday, or on Monday, October 14, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, at the Cadiz Baptist Church Annex. 

This year the tradition of cooking the giant biscuit will continue with a new organization benefiting from its sale. Kentucky's Largest Edible Country Ham and biscuit will be prepared, baked, and served by the Little River Baptist Association with the proceeds going to The Way Christian Youth Center. The Way plans to use the funds toward paying for the newest building on their campus.

Preparation begins early Saturday morning in the parking lot of the Bank of Cadiz, with baking in the huge oven to begin around 7:30 a.m. It's normally ready to be eaten around 11:00 a.m. You can purchase a ham and biscuit and gravy.

 

Here's the recipe in case you want to cook a ham and biscuit to compare to the one you'll see at the 48th 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!



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 4:00 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 12, 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 with Gravy, Pulled Pork, Burgoo, Mutton, Pork Chops, Brisket, Ribs, Ribeyes, BBQ Bologna, Loaded Baked Potatoes, Philly Cheesesteak, Brats, Polish Sausage, Fish, Hush Puppies, Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs, Chili Cheese Dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Sliders, Chicken Strips, Wings, Mexican Food, Tacos, Quesadillas, Burritos, Chicago Style Food, Bloomin' Onions, Ribbon Fries, French Fries, Deep Fried - Pickles, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Cheese Curds, Onion Rings, Nachos, Salads, 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, Hot Chocolate, Gourmet Coffee, and MORE!!!

You can enjoy your favorite festival foods while resting on a hay bale at the WKDZ Renaissance Stage area, Justice Center Parking Lot, the GoCadiz.com 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 4:00 p.m.

PARADE

There will be NO Ham Festival Parade this year.



BENEFIT CAR, TRUCK, AND MOTORCYCLE SHOW

The Cadiz Baptist Church Men's Brotherhood will sponsor the 29th Annual Benefit Car, Truck, & Motorcycle Show on Saturday, October 12, 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 18th Church in Bangladesh and "The Way" Youth Ministries in Trigg County.

There will be dash plaques and goody bags for all entries. Awards will be presented at 3:00 p.m. CLICK HERE to learn more!



Trigg County Hospital - 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 between the Justice Center and 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. 

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 will be available behind Cadiz Christian Church, the Emergency Operations Center lot on Jefferson Street, and at West Cadiz Park.



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.