09.21.2023

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38° | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:54 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

It’s our party and we’ll cry if we want to

City announces year-long birthday celebration in 2025

The former Lexington courthouse with a 250 birthday banner

Get ready for a lot of Lexington-focused celebrations next year. | Photo by Amy Wallot

In just about 15 months, Lexington will celebrate its bicentennial — aka its 250th birthday. To commemorate the occasion, city officials and the planning committee announced they are organizing a year-long party.

“Thanks to the work of this commission and with the input from our residents, 2025 will be a year full of events and programs celebrating our rich history. It will take time to organize, but this group will do a great job in making sure our residents and visitors have opportunities to learn and discover all that has made, and still makes, Lexington a great city,” said Mayor Linda Gorton.

Mayor Linda Gorton, Eunice Beatty, and Kip Cornett standing outside the old courthouse — Mayor Linda Gorton with event co-chairs Eunice Beatty + Kip Cornett. | Photo by Amy Wallot

The commission is led by co-chairs Eunice Beatty and Kip Cornett and includes a committee of members from organizations including VisitLex, LexArts, UK, and Casa de la Cultura de Kentucky.

There will be extra emphasis on the month of June, which organizers said will be dubbed “Come Home” month. Why June? This is when Lexington was believed to be named by William McConnell and other explorers who set up camp at what is known today as McConnell Springs.

“We’re inviting anyone who has lived here, has family here, or would like to see all we have to offer to travel here for a month-long cultural experience,” said Mayor Gorton.

Like any well-organized birthday party, we can’t start without a theme and invitations — and this is where you come in.

Residents are encouraged to partake in the 250th birthday branding competition by submitting designs for the “official 250 Lex brand logo.” Read the expectations and send your submissions via email.

Events

Thursday, Sept. 21

Here the Dogwood Sings: Watercolors by Pat Banks | Thursday, Sept. 21-Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Eastside Branch, 3000 Blake James Dr., Lexington | Free | See work inspired by the countryside surrounding this artist’s home along the Kentucky River.
Beyond the Red Doors | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, 251 W. Second St., Lexington | Free | Get an in-depth look at all this historic building has to offer including classes, a tour, and the Skydome Art Gallery.

Friday, Sept. 22

Happy Birthday Henry | Friday, Sept. 22 | 5-7 p.m. | Headley Whitney Museum, 4435 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington | $15 | Eat cake, sip champagne, and explore the major exhibit in honor of Henry Faulkner’s 100th birthday.
Belle’s Champagne Social | Friday, Sept. 22 | 7-9 p.m. | Belle’s Cocktail House, 156 Market St., Lexington | $31.80 | Sip your way through various champagnes + bubbly while soaking in the last few summer sunsets on the rooftop.
Festival Latino de Lexington | Friday, Sept. 22-Saturday, Sept. 23 | Times vary | Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, 120 N. Limestone, Lexington | Free | Celebrate all things Latin American culture at this annual event featuring live music, dance performances, food, and more.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Birthday Celebration Poppy & Pomelo + Wick and Mortar Studio | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Poppy and Pomelo, 526 E. High St., Lexington | Free | Celebrate this local shop’s birthday with discounts, sweet treats, and pop-up vendors.
Roller Derby Bout - ROCK Returns | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 4-9 p.m. | Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St., Lexington | $10-$20 | See the return of the Roller Derby of Central Kentucky athletes as they take the rink in their first Lexington bout in four years.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Number

3,102. That’s how many acres the Urban Growth Management Master Plan Committee will recommend for the Urban Service Boundary expansion. The recommendation, which includes land near Winchester, Athens-Boonesboro, and Parkers Mill Roads, will now be reviewed by the Urban County Planning Commission. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Civic

Tuesday was National Voter Registration Day, the perfect reminder to make sure you’re all squared away to complete your civic duty. In order to vote in the upcoming state election, you must be registered by Tuesday, Oct. 10. Check your status.

Announced

Lexington is now the Official Gateway sponsor for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (KBT) tourism program. Through the partnership with the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, VisitLEX will receive brand recognition on the KBT website, marketing materials, itineraries + more.

Edu

Congratulations to Cassidy Elementary, which was designated as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. The award is given based on a school’s academic performance + progress in closing the achievement gaps on assessments. Cassidy is one of seven honorees in Kentucky this year.

Cause

By stopping in + sipping on West Sixth Brewing beers this Saturday, Sept. 23, you’ll also be supporting local nonprofit International Book Project. A portion of sales will benefit the organization, and members of the team will be on site to share more about its mission between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Concert

UK’s Creative Arts Living Learning Program is hosting a benefit concert at the Singletary Center on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. The event will include digital education illustrations, a silent auction, and musical + dance performances. The event is free but donations will be accepted to support the people of Maui. (LEX18)

Finance

Economic turbulence and high inflation may have you feeling cautious about making donations. The good news: there’s a range of options to ensure that your charitable donations don’t grind to a halt — see how.*

Gallery

Blending art + culture

See the Blend 2023 art exhibit at the Central Library

Abstract art hanging in the central library including a giant piñata

See the colorful works of Latin American artists in Lexington | Photo courtesy of LAB

The Main Gallery, located on the first floor Downtown’s Central Library, has unveiled a new exhibit that celebrates our diverse culture and talented artists — Blend 2023.

Organized by Latino Art Blend (LAB), a collective of Hispanic artists, the exhibit features various pieces of work including photography, painting, and textiles. This annual showcase highlights the work of artists who are from Latin American countries or have a direct connection to them.

And that is the goal of LAB — to showcase the quality work of Ibero-American artists who have ties to countries where Spanish or Portuguese is the primary language.

See the exhibit for yourself, which will be on display until Sunday, Nov. 12.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

Speaking of birthdays, cue the confetti, because next week LEXtoday turns two. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy writing it. We want to hear from you — what is your favorite thing about LEXtoday? Do you have a favorite story? How would you describe LEXtoday in three words? Share it all.

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