Courthouse now gone was a beautiful 19th century building.

Carr's on Broadway was a popular spot before December 10th.

(July 2011) -Graves County Kentucky will become central Kentucky for politicos and their supporters. The St. Jerome's Picnic in Fancy Farm on Saturday will be the culminating event of a week of picnics, bean suppers, fundraisers, private meetings, golf outings and breakfasts held around the region. Candidates and their entourages will be motoring or flying down to see and be seen.

Even for those traveling down solely for the political hi-jinks, there are things to do and places to see in Graves County beyond speeches, heat and barbecue.

Visitors taking the long drive down the Western Kentucky Parkway and not taking in some of the sights, sounds and scenes outside of the political theatre are missing out on a town and a county with unique geographical and cultural appeal.

Mayfield

Mayfield, the "Pearl of the Purchase" is in the process of reinventing and marketing itself. Mayor Teresa Cantrell and Graves County Judge Executive Tony Smith and the business community got together in January for a Fireside Summit that resulted in a rebranding program. A new motto "Come Discover Our Hidden Treasures" and a new website City of Mayfield are the first fruits of that process.

Mayfield now has interesting new restaurants in Carr's Steak House and Chow 45. Carr's in downtown Mayfield offers very affordable meals in its brick walled high ceilinged renovated old building. It's the new gathering spot for both blue collar and white collar Graves' Countians. We won't spoil the experience by saying what Chow 45 offers. Just try it.

Mayfield's Ice House Gallery offers arts and crafts in the gift shop with prices no one back home will believe. The Gallery at 120 N. 8^th Street is open from 10- to 4 Tuesday through Friday and 10 -2 Saturdays.

Downtown stores like MayBerry Antique Mall

*Editor's Note: on Wednesday, December 8th, my husband took guests from Frankfort to MayBerry's. It's gone now.

and In Its Time Antiques are full of treasures. Even those not tempted into antique stores may be drawn in to make a purchase as I was this spring, when I parked in front of In Its Time. On display was a stained glass window hanging that followed me home - in the trunk of my car. The price was worth bragging about.

Fancy Farm

The Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday is just one event in several days of festival that features a mega-dinner in the Knights of Columbus hall, a 5 K race and one mile fun walk on Friday evening, and a new truck raffle. Funds from the Picnic have gone to senior housing, community projects, school events and an upgrade of the grounds from speaking on a real stump to the comparatively swanky pavilion that shades candidates and the early and lucky from the August sun. Fancy Farm homepage