Planning for the Trigg County Country Ham Festival began in 1974 as a way to celebrate the heritage of the county.
Former Trigg County Agriculture Extension Agent David Fourqurean shared the history of the Ham Festival as recorded by his father John Fourqurean, who was the county Agriculture Extension Agent when the festival began. Fourqurean early discussion of a festival for Trigg County began in 1974.
click to download audioFourqurean says the following year planning began for the first festival that was truly a community effort.
click to download audioHe says several groups were involved in the early days of the festival with a variety of events.
click to download audioFourqurean adds another early event was a hog killing demonstration in the Oak Grove community.
click to download audioHe adds there was a program in the early days that provided education for the community about the swine business and country hams.
click to download audioFourqurean recalled the history of the George Bleidt-Marvin Broadbent, Jr. Spirit of the Ham Festival Award that is presented annually.
click to download audioAnd he mentioned other memorable events such as the planning and construction of the oven that cooks Kentucky’s largest ham biscuit, the hog trough race, and other activities.
Fourqurean was joined at the Trigg County Chamber Country Ham Festival Kickoff Breakfast by his father John Fourqurean and his family.
Ham Festival Kickoff Breakfast photos by Edward Marlowe and Jennie Watts
