With the 49th Annual Trigg County Country Ham Festival nigh upon Cadiz and Western Kentucky, visitors and residents alike need to be aware of the who, what, where, why, and when of what’s become one of the region’s strongest festivals over the last half century.
During a recent visit with the WKDZ Country Club and WHVO Hoptown This Morning shows, Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism Executive Director Beth Sumner and Cadiz Mayor Todd King affirmed this weekend will be filled with activities for all — and beautiful weather to boot.
It all gets started at 6 AM Thursday, when doors open at the Trigg County Recreation Complex Lexie Bush Convention Center for the Kick-off Breakfast.
Six hours later, around noon, Sumner said U.S. 68 Business and Main Street will close to thru traffic.
Ample parking options, she added, will be available all four days — including those needing handicapped space.
Food and shopping vendors will begin rolling in Thursday morning and afternoon, and King said the Great American Carnival Rides will be open from 5-9 PM Thursday, standard hours Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 5 PM Sunday.
Sumner said the tradition of the Ham & Biscuit Eating Contest only continues to grow, and this year’s field — scheduled to compete at 11:30 AM Saturday near the Renaissance Stage — has plenty to play for when it comes to charity and non-profit philanthropy.
At the same time that contestants begin shoving their faces with carbohydrates and salted pork, several canoes will be shooting down from Fennell Bridge to the West Cadiz Park along Little River — in what should be an exciting return of the River Race.
Cadiz Police Chief Tyler Thomas, its lead organizer, tracked the route Wednesday afternoon in a jon boat. About 5.7 miles long, he made the run in 30 minutes and 22 seconds at an average 11.4 miles per hour, and he said anyone canoeing about 5 miles an hour should be able to complete it between one hour and 75-to-90 minutes. At present, nearly a dozen teams are expected to vie for the crown.
Meanwhile, Sumner once again confirmed that musical guests are aplenty.
Sumner and King said there are hundreds of “Big Pig Shindig” T-shirt available for sale, at $15 apiece.
The 2025 Trigg County Country Ham Festival Timetable
Thursday, October 9
6 AM: Doors open for Ham Fest Kick-off Breakfast at Recreation Complex
9 AM-Noon: 4-H and Extension Exhibits Accepted at Cadiz Baptist Church Annex
Noon: Main Street and U.S. 68 Downtown close to thru traffic
1 PM: Ham Fest Information Booth opens
2 PM: Vendor Load In begins
4-6 PM: Other Booth Load In begins
4-10 PM: Great American Carnival Rides open
Friday, October 10
8 AM: Main Street and U.S. 68 Downtown closes to vendor traffic
8 AM-4 PM: Cadiz Baptist Church Annex opens
9 AM-5 PM: WKDZ Mini-plex opens for live coverage and streaming
10 AM: Opening Ceremony, National Anthem at Renaissance Stage
10:30-11 AM: Cadiz Baptist Church Christian Academy and Trigg Tots Preschool perform at Renaissance Stage
10 AM-10:30 PM: Great American Carnival Rides open
10 AM-4 PM: Trigg County Quilter’s Guild Show at JMAM
2-3 PM: How to Cure a Country Ham at Renaissance Stage
3-4 PM: Broadbent B&B Foods: How to Cook Country Ham demo at Renaissance Stage
7-9 PM: Entice performs at Farmer’s Market Square
Saturday, October 11
7:30-11:30 AM: Kentucky’s Largest Ham & Biscuit begins
7:30 AM-2 PM: Trigg County Ham Show at Bank of Cadiz lawn
8 AM-4 PM: 4-H and Extension Show continues
8 AM: Main Street and U.S. 68 Downtown closes to public traffic
9 AM-5 PM: WKDZ Live Streaming continues
10 AM-10:30 PM: Great American Carnival Rides opens
10-10:30 AM: Opening Ceremony at Renaissance Stage
10 AM-4 PM: Trigg County Quilt Show continues
10 AM: Money in the Haystack at West Cadiz Park
11 AM-1:30 PM: Canoe Race at West Cadiz Park Boat Ramp
11:30 AM: Ham & Biscuit Eating Contest at Renaissance Stage
12:30-1:30 PM: Beard & Mullet Contest
1:30-2:30 PM: Decades of Style at Renaissance Stage
1-3:30 PM: Pedal Tractor Pulls at West Cadiz Park
3 PM: Broadbent B&B Foods Cooking Country Ham Demo at Renaissance Stage
4 PM: Hog Calling Contest at Renaissance Stage
5:30-7 PM: Rewind at Farmer’s Market Square
7:30-9 PM: Bryan White at Farmer’s Market Square
Sunday, October 12
11 AM: Church Service at Renaissance Stage, courtesy of Sean Stanfield and LifeBridge United Methodist Church
Noon-5 PM: Great American Carnival Rides open
