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Even as COVID-19 cases surge, the traditional start to the fall campaign season in Kentucky will go on as planned this weekend.The 141st Fancy Farm picnic will be held Saturday in Graves County. The church fundraiser always attracts politicians from across the commonwealth for "unique" political speeches, but sometimes less so on years when there are no statewide races on the ballot -- like this year. Who's opting outSome of the most powerful politicians in the state who have declined to go are Gov. Andy Beshear (D), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R).Beshear said along with it not being an important election year for the state, he's worried it'll be a super-spreader event for COVID-19. "I don't want anybody harmed at Fancy Farm and there's the opportunity for that to happen especially these sit-down dinners that get packed or packed in. That, in an area of the state that doesn't have a high vaccine rate and maybe has a larger group of unvaccinated individuals than you'd otherwise see. It's dangerous and I don't want anybody to get hurt," he said at a news conference this week.Lt. Gov. Jaqueline Coleman won't be there either.And they're hardly the only democrats opting out. Many are taking part in a counter-event in Louisville aimed at promoting vaccines. (Scroll down to learn more about it.)McConnell and Paul said they backed out because they will be in Washington, D.C., over the weekend working on the infrastructure bill.Charles Booker (D), who will run against Paul next year, also couldn't go as his baby is due "at any moment."Who's still inCongressman James Comer (R) has already been spotted in Graves County and Kentucky's Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) is likely to be in attendance as well.Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) told radio station WHVO he's looking forward to the event and will be bringing his pregnant wife.We've also heard Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles (R) and State Auditor Mike Harmon (R) will speak.Additional event detailsThe picnic is a fundraiser for St. Jeromes church and school.It starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 10 p.m. The political speaking starts at 2 p.m.Picnic goers can expect to eat "world famous" pork and mutton. The counter-eventMany Democrats who declined to go will attend a new counter-event called "FancyVaxx" in Louisville.The event was created with the intent to have something safer in the midst of the delta variant's rapid spread. It'll take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the IUE-CWA, 5153 Poplar Level Road.Free COVID-19 vaccines will be available, walk-ups welcome.Among speakers will be Congressman John Yarmuth (if in town), state Sen. Morgan McGarvey and Kentucky House Minority Leader Joni Jenkins, along with the majority of the Jefferson County Delegation and "most federal, state and local candidates for 2022 elections."The public can call 502-582-1999 or go to the LDP website and their Facebook page for more information.

Even as COVID-19 cases surge, the traditional start to the fall campaign season in Kentucky will go on as planned this weekend.

The 141st Fancy Farm picnic will be held Saturday in Graves County.

The church fundraiser always attracts politicians from across the commonwealth for "unique" political speeches, but sometimes less so on years when there are no statewide races on the ballot -- like this year.

Some of the most powerful politicians in the state who have declined to go are Gov. Andy Beshear (D), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R).

Beshear said along with it not being an important election year for the state, he's worried it'll be a super-spreader event for COVID-19.

"I don't want anybody harmed at Fancy Farm and there's the opportunity for that to happen especially these sit-down dinners that get packed or packed in. That, in an area of the state that doesn't have a high vaccine rate and maybe has a larger group of unvaccinated individuals than you'd otherwise see. It's dangerous and I don't want anybody to get hurt," he said at a news conference this week.

Lt. Gov. Jaqueline Coleman won't be there either.

And they're hardly the only democrats opting out. Many are taking part in a counter-event in Louisville aimed at promoting vaccines. (Scroll down to learn more about it.)

McConnell and Paul said they backed out because they will be in Washington, D.C., over the weekend working on the infrastructure bill.

Charles Booker (D), who will run against Paul next year, also couldn't go as his baby is due "at any moment."

Congressman James Comer (R) has already been spotted in Graves County and Kentucky's Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) is likely to be in attendance as well.

Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) told radio station WHVO he's looking forward to the event and will be bringing his pregnant wife.

We've also heard Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles (R) and State Auditor Mike Harmon (R) will speak.

The picnic is a fundraiser for St. Jeromes church and school.

It starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 10 p.m. The political speaking starts at 2 p.m.

Picnic goers can expect to eat "world famous" pork and mutton.

Many Democrats who declined to go will attend a new counter-event called "FancyVaxx" in Louisville.

The event was created with the intent to have something safer in the midst of the delta variant's rapid spread. It'll take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the IUE-CWA, 5153 Poplar Level Road.

Free COVID-19 vaccines will be available, walk-ups welcome.

Among speakers will be Congressman John Yarmuth (if in town), state Sen. Morgan McGarvey and Kentucky House Minority Leader Joni Jenkins, along with the majority of the Jefferson County Delegation and "most federal, state and local candidates for 2022 elections."

The public can call 502-582-1999 or go to the LDP website and their Facebook page for more information.

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Fancy Farm 2021: Who's going, who's not and the counter event - WLKY Louisville