High prices at the pump were a hot topic at the Fancy Farm picnic, but at least one voter said it shouldn't be the only issue of the campaign season.

"The cost of gasoline is of critical importance to Kentuckians right now but I'm not sure it should be the one issue Republicans should want to talk about," said Democrat Ben Ray of Frankfort.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and his Democratic opponent Bruce Lunsford traded blows over energy policy throughout the picnic. Supporters on both sides used costumes, billboards and flyers to lampoon the opposition.

Ray, 23, said he was disappointed that it looks like the campaign might focus solely on gasoline prices that topped an average nationally of more than $4 a gallon before dwindling.

He also said he was disappointed that McConnell and his fellow Kentucky Republican senator, Jim Bunning, left shortly after delivering their speeches.
"The two U.S. Senators did a disservice by popping in and out," Ray said. "They blew a great chance to get some good PR today by reaching out to average Kentuckians. They are or have become animals of Washington D.C."

Franklin County Republican leaders said they were unaware of any local members planning to attend the picnic this year.

This was Ray's first trip to Fancy Farm. He graduated from Centre with a degree in history. Although he's always been interested in politics, Ray said he's been following the races across Kentucky closely this year and decided to see what Fancy Farm was all about.

"I've always been a political animal," he said.

He said he was surprised by the ferocity of the speeches and enjoyed the atmosphere. Gov. Steve Beshear gave a particularly fearless speech, Ray said.
"He didn't hesitate to hit any Republican candidate he could," Ray said.
In addition to heckling, barbecue mutton and pork are also staples of the Fancy Farm picnic. Four generations of Eddie Carrico's family have been cooking meat for the event.

"This is the 128th year and I hope it goes another 128," he said. "I don't ever want to see it die."

There's a traditional division of labor and different families help prepare different items of the menu. The Hobbs family also helps with the cooking, the Elders sell barbecue by the pound and the Pendells sell barbecue by the sandwich.

"That's just the tip of the iceberg of who does what around here," Carrico said.
This year, Carrico, 61, his brothers and nephews cooked more 10,500 pounds of pork and 8,500 pounds of mutton. His great-great-uncle "Fats" Carrico was one of the first to help prepare barbecue for the picnic.

When they first started cooking, Carrico said they only slaughtered about 10 sheep out at their farm. Then, they brought it out to the picnic grounds in carts and wagons.

At the time, they only needed one large pit with some wire and a trench to shovel coals into. Now, Carrico said they cook more than 19,000 pounds of meat on a row of pits that's as long as a football field.

"We're not going to grow any more," he said. "We sell out of meat and it works out just about right."

The meat goes into the pits at 8 a.m. Friday and the Carrico and Hobbs families tend to it all day and night. Carrico said they purchased 56 bundles of hickory wood to burn in 7-foot tall smokers.

The wood burns to coals, which go under the pits. The combination of 90-degree heat and flames shooting from the top of the smokers means Carrico and his helpers are drenched in sweat.

Carrico said they keep cool by drinking donated soft drinks and sitting near three large fans.
"It's hot but you only do it once a year," he said. "We want the picnic to be a success."
It addition to the hickory smoke, the pork and mutton get its unique taste from a salt rub and vinegar-based barbecue sauce.
"We want it to be the old time barbecue it has been and always will be," he said.
Carrico has helped prepare the meat for more than 30 years and his father was on the job for 55 years. Now his younger nephews help out and this year his brother from Glasgow came in.
A lot of class and family reunions are also scheduled to coincide with the picnic. Carrico said his relatives in Glasgow and Atlanta even come home for the festivities.
"It's like a homecoming for everybody that lives away," he said. "You got to be here for the picnic."

Although the picnic is steeped in tradition, there was one new addition this year when a local bluegrass band was used to hasten the conclusion of a speech if a candidate went over their allotted time.

House Majority Floor Leader and master of ceremonies at the Fancy Farm Picnic Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, said he borrowed the idea from the Hillbilly Days festival in Pikeville.

Candidates also speak during that event, and if they go over their limit the band starts playing and drowns them out.

No Tools Loaned, a Frankfort-based Bluegrass band, entertained the crowd before the speaking began and also helped hold the speakers to the time limit. Bunning was the only one the band played over.

Scotty Campbell plays the banjo in No Tools Loaned and said it was a fun way to keep things moving.

"I got a tickle out of it," he said.