10.02.2023

Today’s Forecast

85º | Sunny | 8% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:34 a.m. | Sunset 7:19 p.m.

🎃 Go big or gourd home

Try this: LEXtoday’s 2023 pumpkin carving contest

Jack-o'-lanterns are sorta our thing here in Lexington. | Photo courtesy of @tsglexington + @transylvaniauniversity

Carve some time into your schedule. We’ve got a festive contest for you to take part in this spooky season — the LEXtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Whether you planned to carve a pumpkin this season or not, this is your excuse to run to the nearest pumpkin patch or garden store, pick out your perfect pumpkin, and get creative. Don’t forget the carving kit.

The rules + details:

Create your own pumpkin masterpiece; carve, paint, shave, use stickers, or get creative in a way that is fun for you.

To make a submission, take a picture of your pumpkin + submit it here, along with a name for your art, a short description, your name, and your email address. Submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.

While traditional pumpkin carvings and designs will be accepted, bonus points will be awarded to original and locally-themed designs. (Think: local landmarks, businesses, and icons.) Any submissions with offensive language or artwork will not be accepted.

Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in our newsletter on Friday, Oct. 20. These finalists will go head-to-head for the chance to be crowned best jack-o’-lantern of 2023 — you, our readers, will be the ones to vote — and the winner will be announced on Friday, Oct. 27.

Want some pumpkin art inspo before you get started? Here are a few no carve ideas as well as some pumpkin carving pro tips.

Asked

Upload a photo of your pumpkin

Spill your guts

Events

Monday, Oct. 2

Fall Break African Drumming Lessons | Monday, Oct. 2 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Dunbar Community Center, 545 N. Upper St., Lexington | Free | Challenge your rhythm and learn the basics at this African drumming session.
Parks & Recreation Trivia | Monday, Oct. 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Pivot Brewing, 1400 Delaware Ave., Lexington | Free | Calling all beautiful tropical fish: test your knowledge on the classic NBC comedy for a chance to win a gift card.

Tuesday, Oct. 3

Banjos & Bourbon Sunset Soiree | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Dudley’s on Short, 259 W. Short St., Ste. #125, Lexington | $150 | Discover the sophisticated Southern cuisine that has made this restaurant a Lexington staple, plus enjoy live music from Grass Mash.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

Suits That Rock | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 6 p.m. | Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St., Lexington | $25-$50 | Legal professionals and like-minded community members are invited out for a night of live music and philanthropy in support of Legal Aid of the Bluegrass.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Edu

Today marks the first day of Fall Break for Fayette County Public Schools. If you’re staying in town, be sure to check out our guide to kid-friendly activities around Lexington.

Cause

Come to the bark side. Lexington Humane Society’s Bark Bash Costume Contest is returning this year, and you’re invited to enter your ferocious pooch. Categories include most creative, spookiest, best duo, and virtual winners. The howlin’ festivities take place Oct. 21 at Moondance Amphitheatre.

Drink

Ready for a barrel of fun? Smiley Pete Publishing will host the inaugural Lexington Bourbon Week from Thursday, Nov. 9 through Saturday, Nov. 18. Sponsored by Heaven Hill, the festivities will see 15+ bars serving up exclusive cocktails made with our favorite spirit. Keep an eye out for the menu.

Announced

Ale-8-One is taking us back to the start. In honor of its 121st anniversary, the regional soda brand will relaunch Roxa Kola, the flavor first released by the company over a century ago. Grab an iconic glass bottle starting Wednesday, Nov. 1. (AP News)

Try This

Hauntings, Bigfoot, and even goblins — a new tourism project is showcasing some of Kentucky’s scariest phenomena. Kentucky After Dark highlights 12 of the state’s most paranormal locations, including Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville + White Hall in Richmond. (Smiley Pete Publishing)

Finance

One platform is unlocking the $1.7 trillion “billionaires asset class” for everyday investors. Introducing Masterworks, an award-winning platform for investing in blue-chip art. Investors have benefited from 16 sales with returns including 13.9%, 27.3%, and 35.0%. Interested? LEXtoday readers can skip the waitlist and join.†*

† Past performance is not indicative of future returns; investing involves risk. See disclosures masterworks . com/cd

State

💰 Bets are on

All bets are on: Everything you need to know about sports betting in Lexington

The Caesers Sportsbook Lounge is now open at Red Mile, where you can enjoy drinks + bar bites while placing your bets. | Photo by LEXtoday

We are almost three weeks into legalized sports betting in Kentucky — and just five days in for online + mobile wagering. Want to dip your toe in the wagering waters? Here’s a quick look at what to know:

What’s new

Previously, horse racing was the only sport Kentuckians could place bets on, but now the world of wagering is open to a whole gamut of sports. Anyone 18+ can place a bet online through approved online sportsbooks — including companies like FanDuel and DraftKings, among others.

In-person betting

In-person sports betting began on Sept. 7, allowing Kentuckians to wager on sports like the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball.

As part of the new law, only horse race tracks are currently permitted to open retail betting lounges. At the moment, that means just one location for Lexington: Red Mile Gaming + Racing. Willing to travel? Here’s a full list of locations for in-person wagering in Kentucky.

The Buy

The Buy 10.2.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These Halloween glass can cups. Because Halloween ghosts have never looked cuter. Plus, they’re sold from a Star Seller on Etsy (read: smooth shipping + great reviews).

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

Happy October, y’all. With just a few months before the end of the year (holy moly), we are eager to get out and take in as much as Lexington has to offer this holiday season. So, let us know what experiences you’d like to learn more about in and around the city.

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