My dear departed friend Gale Denley said years ago of his first visit to the Neshoba County Fair: "It's a lot like what I always imagined Hell would be - it's hot, it's dusty and all my friends are there."

Gale has graduated to the Fair Eternal, but the political speaking he loved so much will continue in the fair's grand tradition.

The 2009 Neshoba County Fair will be held July 24-31 with political speaking scheduled July 29-30. Fair officials released the political speaking schedule earlier this week.



Light political year



Mississippi's next courthouse to statehouse general election is still two years away in 2011. Congressional elections are a year away in 2010. There are no judicial elections scheduled this year.

For that reason, the Fair Association has limited political speaking this year to only incumbent office holders who represent Neshoba County in either the executive, legislative or judicial branches of government.

Here's the lineup:

Wednesday, July 29

• 9:30 a.m. Eighth District Attorney Mark Duncan, D-Philadelphia (I).

• 9:40 a.m. Eighth District Circuit Court Judge Vernon Cotton, Carthage.

• 9:50 a.m. Eighth District Circuit Court Marcus Gordon, Union.

• 10 a.m. State Rep. C. Scott Bounds, D-Philadelphia.

• 10:10 a.m. State Sen. Giles Ward, R-Louisville.

• 10:20 a.m. Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall, R-Brandon.

• 10:30 a.m. Central District Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey, D-Union Church.

• 10:40 a.m. State Auditor Stacey Pickering, R-Laurel.

• 10:50 a.m. Attorney General Jim Hood, D-Houston.

• 11 a.m. Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, R-Brandon.

Thursday, July 30

• 9:30 a.m. Miss. Appeals Court Justice Kenny Griffis, District 3, Place 2.

• 9:40 a.m. Miss. Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens, District 1, Place 3.

• 9:50 a.m. Miss. Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr., District 1, Place 1.

• 10 a.m. Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, R-Vicksburg.

• 10:10 a.m. State Treasurer Tate Reeves, R-Jackson.

• 10:20 a.m. Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, R-Jackson.

• 10:40 a.m. Gov. Haley Barbour, R-Yazoo City.



Fireworks likely



Despite an "off" year with no active campaigns, political fireworks remain probable. And the politicking won't be limited merely to those with a spot on the speaking schedule.

The Neshoba County Fair remains the heartbeat of the state's love of politics as a full contact spectator sport. Active campaigns or not, expect sizeable crowds for the major speeches and come early on speech day if you want a good seat.

We'll be waiting for you. For more information, visit www.neshobacountyfair.org.



Contact Sid Salter at (601) 961-7084 or e-mail ssalter@clarionledger .com. Visit his blog at clarionledger.com. His talk radio show, On Deadline with Sid Salter, is broadcast on the SuperTalk Mississippi network.