For the 11th year - or maybe the 12th, even the family isn't sure - the politically active Guiduglis will host 250 or more people Saturday for what has grown from a simple family gathering to one of Northern Kentucky's major political events.

Congressmen, governors, lieutenant governors, state legislators, county and council officials, party leaders, candidates for office, political activists and lots of regular folk have attended past picnics.

As usual, a big crowd is expected this year for a feast that includes six big trays of steaming pasta, mounds of bread, pounds of salad and 25 cases, at least, of cold beer.

"We try to downplay the politics of the picnic because it's not about speeches and rallies," said host Dave Guidugli, a Cold Spring councilman and union leader who hosts the picnic at his Darlas Drive home.

"It's about people coming together and getting a chance to meet or talk one on one with the people who holding or running for office," Guidugli said.

This year's picnic will be a tribute of sorts to two long-time Democrats who are stepping down from office this year: House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, who is leaving Frankfort after 18 years in office; and U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, a Boone County Democrat who is giving up his seat in Congress after three terms.

Before serving in Congress, Lucas was Boone County judge-executive and earlier sat on the Boone County Board of Education. Callahan was a councilman and mayor in Southgate before turning to state politics.

"Those two guys deserve some extra praise for all the work and time they've put in," Guidugli said.

Callahan, who celebrates his birthday Saturday, said he is humbled by the attention and appreciative of the gesture.

"It's very nice of them to think of Ken and I," Callahan said. "But really, I'd be there anyway. If you're involved in politics, or you want to be in politics, it's the place to be."

Along with Dave, several members of the Guidugli clan have successful political careers.

Dave's twin brother, Dan, is a Kentucky Appeals Court judge. Cousins Tom and Steve are, respectively, the mayor of Newport and a Bellevue councilman. And Dave and Dan's sister, Mariann Guidugli Dunn, is the former Campbell County property value administrator.

Though the Guiduglis are Democrats and the picnic has long been considered a Democratic gathering, Republicans are welcome. At last year's picnic Lt. Gov. Steve Pence, who was then running for office, created a mild stir when he became the first Republican to actively campaign at the event.

But other Republicans, including Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery and Assistant Kenton County Attorney Brandon Voelker, a Campbell County native, have attended past picnics.

"Republicans are invited," Guidugli said. "At least most of them are."

Democrats expected to attend are Nick Clooney, who is running for Lucas' seat against Republican Geoff Davis, and Dr. Daniel Mongiardo, the challenger to Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning of Southgate.

One of the politicians who helped make the picnic a significant event was former Gov. Paul Patton, a Democrat who served two terms from 1995 until last year. Patton attended about eight picnics as governor, and prior to that, lieutenant governor.

At the 1999 picnic he compared the gathering to the "family picnics, church socials, corn huskings, bean stringings and pie suppers" he recalled from growing up in the eastern Kentucky mountains.

"The Guiduglis represent Kentucky and America as well as any family I know," he said at the time. "They are close, they are well-respected in the community, they are involved."

Besides, Patton said, "anytime you find a crowd you're going to get aspiring politicians. We hunt crowds."

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E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com