Cadiz City Council Approves Ham Fest Committee Plan

City Council endorses governance agreement for annual Trigg County agricultural festival

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The Cadiz City Council has approved a plan to formally establish a Ham Fest Committee to oversee the annual Trigg County agricultural festival. The committee will become a 'public action agency' subject to open meetings and records laws, with the mayor retaining certain executive authorities and the council having legislative powers. While the council expressed some concerns about maintaining a consistent quorum with the 17-member committee, they agreed the plan provides a clear governance structure for the long-running event.

Why it matters

The Ham Fest is a major annual event for Trigg County, drawing large crowds and serving as an important showcase for the region's agricultural heritage and community. Formalizing the governance structure helps ensure the festival's continued success and community involvement.

The details

Under the approved plan, the Ham Fest Committee will have 17 members - 7 specific community officials and 10 others appointed to staggered 2-year terms. While the committee will take the lead on organizing the festival, the mayor will retain certain executive authorities and the city council will have legislative powers. City Attorney Allen Wilson cautioned that maintaining a consistent monthly quorum with the large committee size may be challenging, but Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism Director Beth Sumner noted attendance has been strong in recent years.

  • The Cadiz City Council will hold a special session on Monday, February 10th to formally introduce the Ham Fest Committee ordinance for first reading.
  • The second reading of the approved annexation and a Finance Committee meeting to discuss the city's General Fund budget will also take place at the February 10th special session.

The players

Allen Wilson

The Cadiz City Attorney who outlined the legal considerations and governance structure for the Ham Fest Committee.

Beth Sumner

The Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism Director who noted the consistently strong attendance at the Ham Fest in recent years.

Rayme Hopson

A member of the Ham Fest Committee who affirmed the proposed governance structure.

Todd King

The Mayor of Cadiz who emphasized the importance of timeliness in establishing the Ham Fest Committee.

Jack Lingenfelter

The Cadiz City Administrative Officer who outlined Trigg County's upcoming highway infrastructure plans.

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What they’re saying

“Nearly all wishes could be met through an agreeable ordinance.”

— Allen Wilson, Cadiz City Attorney (wkdzradio.com)

“Attendance, however, has been 'consistently strong' over the last couple of years, and likely longer.”

— Beth Sumner, Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism Director (wkdzradio.com)

“Timeliness in this endeavor mattered.”

— Todd King, Mayor of Cadiz (wkdzradio.com)

What’s next

A special-called session of Cadiz City Council will be held at 5 PM on Monday, February 10th for the first reading of the Ham Fest Committee ordinance, the second reading of an approved annexation, and a Finance Committee meeting to discuss the city's General Fund budget.

The takeaway

By formalizing the governance structure for the long-running Ham Fest, the Cadiz City Council has taken an important step to ensure the continued success and community involvement in this annual agricultural celebration for Trigg County.