Unique Kentucky waterway facts

• Next to Alaska, Kentucky has more navigable miles of water than any other state in the US.
• Kentucky is the only state to have rivers that border three of its sides — the Mississippi to the West, the Ohio to the North + the Big Sandy to the East.
• Kentucky has the largest artificial lakes east of the Mississippi — Lake Cumberland in volume and Kentucky Lake in surface area.

Places to paddle

• Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens Boonesboro Rd. | That’s right, you don’t have to leave the city limits for this one. Lexington Parks and Recreation even offers boat rentals.
• Laurel River Lake, KY 192, London | Hop on I-75S for one hour to discover what our reader Andrea W. calls “some of the cleanest and prettiest areas around.”
• Ft. Boonesboro State Park, 4375 Boonesboro Rd. | Head down to Richmond to launch from this state park’s boat ramp. Paddle six miles downstream to end your float at Proud Mary’s BBQ restaurant.

• Shaker Village, 316-398 Shakers Landing Rd. | Paddle underneath High Bridge + explore the Kentucky Palisades
• Grayson Lake State Park, 314 Grayson Lake State Park Rd. | Paddle along the lake’s cliff-lined shores, explore secret coves + see if you can find the famous Grotto Falls waterfall.

• Bike to Work Breakfast | Friday, May 19 | 7-9 a.m. | Town Branch Trail, 101 E. Vine St., Lexington | Free | Kick off your Friday celebrating National Bike to Work Week by joining fellow biking commuters for coffee, snacks, bike information, and a free tune-up station.
• Diversity’s Perspective: Art Gallery | Friday, May 19-Friday, May 26 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St., Lexington | Free | This exhibit features works of all techniques, of artists from different backgrounds, sharing their love for beautiful imagery.
• Food Truck Fridays | Friday, May 19 | 6-9 p.m. | Shilito Park, 300 W. Reynolds Rd., Lexington | Free | Sample some of Lexington’s best food trucks, including Pasta Garage, The Flying Waffle, Bella’s Shaved Ice, West Sixth Brewing, Chocomania Louisiana Passion, and Taqueria de la Cruz.

• Founder’s Day | Saturday, May 20 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | McConnell Springs, 416 Rebmann Ln., Lexington | Free | Experience the frontier life of 1775 with historical reenactments, traditional music, colonial crafts + hands-on activities
• Bluegrass BBQ Fest | Saturday, May 20 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | MoonDance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St., Lexington | $7-$10 | Get your grub + groove on with two days of bourbon, music, BBQ, and more in a family-friendly atmosphere.
• Lexington Philharmonic presents “Bloom” | Saturday, May 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St., Lexington | $11-$75 | As summer approaches, celebrate the end of spring with this concert that pays homage to the renewal and rejuvenation that the season brings.

• Craft Beer Week Maker’s Market | Sunday, May 21 | 2-6 p.m. | Rock House Brewing, 119 Luigart Ct., Lexington | Free | Sip on local brews + shop from more than a dozen local artisans and vendors with food trucks and music from DJ Lee.
• Crystals & More with Sandy McManus | Sunday, May 21 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Lexington Salt Cave, 309 N. Ashland Ave. Ste. 180-B, Lexington | $55 | End the weekend by taking a wellness journey, where you’ll learn about the benefit of halotherapy and reiki in an intimate setting.

• UK’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) has begun accepting applications for the summer semester. OLLI is a non-credited program dedicated to adults 50+ who want to take a variety of educational classes, including computers + technology, culture, history, and wellness courses. (UKNOW)

• Congratulations to Winburn Middle School teacher Jennifer McCall who has been chosen for the National STEM Scholar Program. Through the initiative, teachers receive training, national networking opportunities, and support for school projects. (The Lane Report)

• Nourished Folks will host the Creative Harvest Workshop Series in collaboration with Studio Mel Designs this Sunday, May 21 from 2-4 p.m. Attendees who sign up can enjoy artistically-designed snacks, learn how to carve vegetables, and experience their food in a whole new way. Tickets start at $65.

• Cutter Boley, a Lexington Christian Academy quarterback, has signed with UK. The four-star athlete — who ranked as the No. 12 recruit in the 2025 class by Rivals.com — chose his home base over notable teams like Tennessee and Florida State. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
• The Lexington Counter Clocks are asking you to nominate an active duty or veteran personnel for its Hometown Heroes campaign. Nominate your heroes and they will be recognized at an upcoming home game.

• Nonprofit organization Equestrian Events is seeking a new Executive Director. The new director will work with board members to oversee daily operations, aid in putting on events such as Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, and work with local tourism organizations to help bolster the region as a premier destination.

• What could your $1 buy you — a camera, a boat… a house? Play the Kentucky Lottery’s Cash Ball 225 for $1 per play and win up to $225,000 daily. Bonus: You can even play online.*

• Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Unlock your home equity.*

• Quick, who’s the next person you’ll buy a gift for? We’ve got 25 gift ideas that will spark joy + are perfect for every budget. One of our favorites? A heated back and neck massager to relieve pressure and tension.

May

• Heartless Bastards (Indoors) | Friday, May 19 | The Burl | 8 p.m. | $25
• Year of October | Friday, May 19 | Al’s Bar | 10 p.m. | $10
• Breaking Benjamin w/ Bush | Saturday, May 20 | Rupp Arena | 7 p.m. | $26-$79
• Mama Said String Band Album Release Show (Indoors) | Saturday, May 20 | The Burl | 8 p.m. | $12
• Avatar | Sunday, May 21 | Manchester Music Hall | 7:30 p.m. | $30

June

• Noah Thompson | Friday, June 2 | Manchester Music Hall | 8 p.m. | $30
• Boz Scaggs | Monday, June 5 | Lexington Opera House | 8 p.m. | $79-$99
• Eric Gales | Saturday, June 10 | Manchester Music Hall | 8 p.m. | $20-$40
• Thomas Rhett | Thursday, June 22 | Rupp Arena | 7:30 p.m. | $29-$129