VisitLex

• Quote: “We help drive economic development — we’re marketers, promoters + salespeople. We do this to help improve the quality of life for Lexingtonians.”
• Need to know: VisitLex employees are not city employees.
• Important: Local city taxes do not fund VisitLex.
• Dive deeper: VisitLex is funded through the collection of transient room taxes, or taxes collected from short-term rentals — hotels, Airbnbs, and soon, campgrounds.

Lexington as a Brand

• Quote: “We are working towards making Lexington a recognizable brand. We want to show visitors that we are a progressive, modern + inviting city.”
• Consider: Lexington has two major defining features — a densely populated urban core with neoclassical architectural characteristics + a beautiful, easily-accessible rural landscape. Similar to old-world Europe.
• Branding: “Big Lex,” the blue horse we all know and love, was created to reflect our city’s historical legacy moving into a modern future. And yes, it’s also Kentucky blue.
  

Responsible Tourism

• Quote: “We’ve seen several surrounding cities grow in such a way, that locals argue they’ve lost their heart and soul. I think that’s because they failed to engage their citizens in the conversation.”
• Stay engaged: VisitLex wants to hear from you.
  
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• Back to the Library Booktacular Silent Auction | Mon., Oct. 17 - Sat., Oct. 29 | 12 a.m. | Central Library, 140 East Main St., Lexington | Bid on unique items like “Game of Thrones” scotch, a kid’s birthday party at the Kloiber Foundation STEAM Lab, and more to support Lexington Public Library.*
• October Court Day Festival | Mon., Oct. 17 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | City of Mt. Sterling, 33 North Maysville, Mount Sterling | This is the last day to enjoy Kentucky’s longest-running fall festival — local vendors, food, drinks, and more.

• Classic Films: High Noon | Tue., Oct. 18 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Beaumont Branch, 3080 Fieldstone Way, Lexington | This month’s screening invites citizens to gather to watch “High Noon,” a 1952 American Western film that won four Academy Awards.

• Blue Grass Community Foundation 365 Kickoff Party | Wed., Oct. 19 | 5-7 p.m. | West Sixth Brewing Barrel Room, 501 W. 6th St., Ste. 100, Lexington | Free | Learn about the best ways to give back to your community while sipping on local brews and hearing a presentation from Rob Perez, the owner of local eatery DV8 Kitchen.
• Yappy Hour Halloween Party | Wed., Oct. 19 | 5-7 p.m. | Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Road, Lexington | Free | This pop-up howl-oween party features a costume contest, food trucks, beverages, and plenty of playtime for pups.

• Brother Smith w/ The Minks & Clarke Sexton | Thu., Oct. 20 | 7 p.m. | The Burl , 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $15.00 | This local folk group is headlining in the Distillery District + bringing other local musicians along for the performance.

• 52º | Partly cloudy | 4% chance of rain

• We know, it’s only Monday — but go ahead and start planning for the weekend because the city’s annual Halloween + Thriller Parade will be taking place on Sat., Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. This year is the 20th anniversary of this annual event. 👻

• The UK football team defeated Mississippi State on Saturday — 27-17. After that victory, Mark Stoops is now the program’s all-time leader in AP Top 25 wins. The Cats are now 5-2 on the season + their next game will be against Tennessee on Sat., Oct. 29. (A Sea of Blue) 🏈
• Big Blue Madness, the annual event that kicks off the 2022-2023 UK basketball season took place on Friday night. Thousands of fans packed Rupp Arena to cheer on the Cats. Both the men’s and women’s team will play their first game of the season on Mon., Nov. 7, less than a month away. (UK Athletics)

• Did you know that 2022-2023 UK men’s and women’s basketball posters were released this weekend? You can snag one for free at your nearest Kroger location. The posters feature the full roster of each team. 🏀

• Keeneland, in partnership with Rubicon and City BBQ, recently paid respect to our city’s police + fire departments. It delivered its famous bread pudding and barbecue meals to 100+ unsuspecting police officers and firefighters — full bellies, and warm hearts. 💙
• The Lexington Fire Department welcomed its newest member last week — fifth grader Reese Tumlinson who is now Junior Fire Chief. Reese has been eating lunch with the chiefs, touring local businesses + meeting the mayor. 🚒 (WKYT)

• OBC Kitchen, 3373 Tates Creek Rd., just released a new seasonal menu item. The Autumn Salad is topped with butternut squash, craisins, and pumpkin seeds — served with turmeric hummus + goat cheese. Pair this with its Pumpkin White Russian for a seasonal dining experience. 🍽

• National Pasta Day — celebrate with pasta + breadsticks from Lexington-founded Fazoli’s. Pro tip: Start earning points for every dollar spent and get access to exclusive deals when you download the app. 🍝 *

• Upgrade your nightcap with the award-winning bourbon and libation mixers from Lexington-based distillery Blanton’s Bourbon. Our go-to is the single barrel bourbon, though we also love the barrel aged maple syrup with our pancakes. 🥃*

• Country Boy, 436 Chair Ave. | Mon., Oct. 17 | “Kentucky Jalapeno Smoked Porter,” a dark beer brewed with jalapenos from Stonehenge Farms
• Pivot, 1400 Delaware Ave. | Tues., Oct. 18 | “Apple Embodiment,” a hard apple cider brewed with black apples from Eckert’s Orchard
• Mirror Twin, 725 National Ave. | Wed., Oct. 19 | “South Fork Lager,” a Vienna lager brewed with malt from South Fork Malthouse
• Rock House Brewing, 119 Luigart Ct. | Thurs., Oct. 20 | “Watermelon Kolsch,” brewed with local melons
• West Sixth, 501 W. 6th St., Ste. 101 | Mon., Oct. 24 | “Shadrick Berry Sour,” brewed with blackberries from West Sixth Farm