Three weeks after its 48th celebration, officials with the Trigg County Country Ham Festival and its committee gathered Friday afternoon — in order to fully rehash what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to come for the 49th, 50th and beyond.
Topping the list: a growing desire to keep the main stage in the old Cee Bee parking lot.
Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism Director Beth Sumner, Cadiz Mayor Todd King and several others in the meeting noted the weekend’s entertainers enjoyed their performance spaces — but particularly enjoyed the main stage, which offered strong sound and lighting options.
Still, King said one question keeps coming to the city office.
Other possibilities suggested included the bolstering of the Renaissance Stage, as well as the addition of a flat-top wagon near the Justice Center — in order to better accommodate local and regional performers, while adding more options near the true center of the festival.
It wasn’t that long ago, King added, that visitors gathered around the old courthouse — and shot the breeze during the popular fall weekend.
Jamie Lewis, director of Cadiz-Trigg County Tourist Commission guest services, put forth a very unique suggestion — one that could potentially change the look of Main Street into more of a bazaar.
Cadiz Police Chief Tyler Thomas noted while this would be a really good idea for the main drag, side streets would have trouble with this model because most of them are too narrow.
Sumner also contended while she would be in favor of the idea, some vendors do need to be closer to water and electrical hookups, and any changes to the festival’s layout would need considerable execution.
And this stirred even more discussion, particularly from John Raymond Hopson, Shannon Booth and Tammy Mason.
What was very clear from Sumner, and the rest of the committee, is that deadlines for 2025 and onward are going to be much firmer. This will include vendor applications, the securing of entertainment options, the ordering of T-shirts, golf carts and assistance with traffic control, and more.
The committee will next convene December 11.
