If you needed evidence that Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards was not on his usual stumping grounds Thursday, you could find it in the "Beshear/Mongiado" signs lining the highway, the country and classic rock stations dominating the airwaves, and the buzz about next weekend's Civil War days -- complete with battle re-enactments and a ball.

Edwards spoke at a state park overlooking the Mississippi River outside Columbus, Ky., after residents "demanded" during a summer contest on Eventful.com that he visit there. Columbus, population 229, beat second-place Eureka, Calif. in the contest.

More than 1,200 people showed up for the event, many from out of state, and at least nine yellow school buses were among the vehicles parked on the grass coming into the park. Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina, used the opportunity to emphasize his rural upbringing.

"When I went away to college, I thought I was a hick in the big city," he said to laughter. "I thought it because it was true."