In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the Trigg County Country Ham Festival was a fine celebration of comfort, community and culinary arts. But it was in need of some pizzazz.

Smith Broadbent III and the Trigg County Extension had the grand idea to chase the “World’s Largest Ham & Biscuit,” and it’s for this passion and many other festival staples that he was honored posthumously during Thursday morning’s Annual Ham Fest Kickoff Breakfast — as “Spirit of the Ham Festival” was handed to his surviving wife, Katie, and in his memory.

Cadiz-Trigg County Tourism Director and Ham Fest Committee Chair Beth Sumner said the true insight, innovation and inspiration first arrived courtesy of Casey County — where they often baked giant apple pies.

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Mixing the dough for the biscuit, Sumner added, is nearly impossible, and yet the novelty remains.

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While the ham & biscuit no longer holds the official world record, it’s still near-and-dear to locals and visitors alike. Long lines will gather on Main Street late Saturday morning, waiting for a taste history courtesy of The Way Christian Youth Center and Simple Blessings — and formerly Helping Hands.

Sumner said she believes this mid-80’s creation was the turning point for the festival’s popularity.

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Katie, meanwhile, was stunned.

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She remembers her husband getting “so excited” when it was festival time in Trigg County, and she still cherishes the picture of Smith next to the oven — wearing a chef’s hat as its chief designer.

When he first came home proclaiming a need to build it, she thought he was originally kidding.

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Curing and smoking country hams has become so popular in Trigg County that it has captivated an entire young and middle-aged generation to chase their own meat sweats, and Katie noted she loves seeing young 4-H students and others pursue pork excellence.

And it didn’t hurt, either, that she was front and center as Zoe Walker’s grand champion effort went to Wayne Hunt for $26,000, and Jennie Watts’s reserve champion haunch netted more than $13,000 between Toni Martinazzi and Mindy Hargrove.

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Sales for the festival’s large ham & biscuit open at 11:30 AM Saturday beside Bank of Cadiz, while multiple demonstrations on curing and cooking country hams will take place Friday and Saturday.