Boone County hosted a sold-out senior picnic on Wednesday as the 4-H fairgrounds were transformed into Candyland.
The crowd of residents ages 55 and older was smaller than previous years. According to Boone County Public Information Officer Chris Courtney, the limit was placed at 600 tickets versus the 1,000-plus tickets sold in previous years.
The Boone County Senior Picnic is an annual tradition started by a former county commissioner who has become a local historic figure.
Former Boone County Commissioner Irene Patrick is recognized as the founder of the Boone County Senior Picnic. Patrick used to host potluck dinners in her backyard for Boone County’s senior citizens.
Beginning in 1978, Patrick served four terms in office. In June 2019, Sen. John Schickel (R-Union) sponsored a resolution that renamed a portion of Kentucky Route 20, locally known as Petersburg Road, in Patrick’s honor and memory.
This year’s picnic marked the 35th anniversary of the event. Vendors celebrated by running wild with the theme, creating carnival games to place picnic-goers in a fair of pinstripes and cotton candy.
