As the annual Trigg County Country Ham Festival approaches, so, too, do the deadlines on many of the proud program’s inner workings.
And during Wednesday’s scheduled committee meeting, Renaissance On Main Director Brianna Hyde noted many of those deadlines are going to get pushed up — in order to create improved preparedness and make way for last-minute planning options.
Among the most important deadline change: vendor packets. They are now due July 31, a full month earlier than last year.
Hyde said one of the biggest complaints in recent years has been the gaps and spacing between vendors on some streets, and that’s unrelated to the restrictions once imposed due to COVID-19 concerns.
As of this week, Hyde added there are roughly 40 vendors on a waiting list to be a part of this year’s party.
Another major deadline all parties hope to push up: the content, print and release of the Ham Fest Guide from The Cadiz Record.
The proud special insert typically details the weekend events, parking locations, historical data and other fun nuggets about the festival. Last year, however, it didn’t include information about 4-H presentations, and hit newsstands after the always-anticipated annual kick-off breakfast.
Beth Sumner, Trigg Chamber membership director, brought attention to this concern.
All sponsorship promises, Hyde said, are due back by September 1, in order to better organize all of the funding available. She noted more than $4,200 has already been returned by interested businesses, and that’s alongside $20,000 from Cadiz-Trigg Tourism and another $5,000 from Wabash.
Other notes from Wednesday’s meeting:
— Hyde said she plans to post “Vendor Spotlights” on Facebook leading up to the fun weekend, in order to better alert locals and visitors about the possible shopping and eating opportunities that will be available.
— Hyde noted that PACS will not reconsider providing shuttle services until at least 2026, and that Med Transit of Hopkinsville will be on hand at the same cost to the city as last year: $1,185.
— Another approaching concern is downtown’s serious lacking of safe, secure handicapped parking. After discussions with the Cadiz Police Department, Hyde said it might be possible that Cadiz Baptist Church allows those in need to park all of Friday, and after 5 PM that Saturday following the popular car show.
— Pre-orders for this year’s T-shirt will be available online or through Hyde’s office at Cadiz City Hall.
