One of the more interesting state political rituals is Kentucky’s Fancy Farm Picnic, held on the first Saturday in August in the far western part of the state.

Plenty of pork, mutton and political speeches are served up and there’s cheering and jeering of candidates for office who have come to view the picnic as a must-stop.

The two Democrats and two Republicans who are the major 2010 candidates for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Jim Bunning all spoke at last weekend’s gathering. You can find videos here of Democrats Daniel Mongiardo, the lieutenant governor, and Jack Conway, the state attorney general. You can find videos here of Republicans Trey Grayson, Kentucky’s secretary of State, and Rand Paul, an eye surgeon whose father is Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul.