Plus, get to know Lexington's Irish sister city.
 
03.15.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER
Visit Cincy

Today’s Forecast

64º | 73% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:48 a.m. | Sunset 7:45 p.m.
 

All green, everything

Celebrate Irish culture every day in Lexington
LEX_Irish row mccarthys failte
Upper Street is filled with Irish-owned businesses. | Photo by LEXtoday
From the historical stone fences and the horse farms they surround, to a host of businesses on Upper Street — the Irish influence in Lexington is as deep as the Irish brogue is fast.

Since Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day (don’t forget your green) we’re taking a look at how we can celebrate Irish culture on this holiday + beyond.

Fun fact: City Editor Molly has dual citizenship with Ireland as her father was born + raised in Kilkenny.

The first-ever Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held downtown in 1980. It was led by founder + longtime organizer Bill Enright. In September of that same year, the Bluegrass Irish Society was incorporated as a public, charitable, and educational organization.

Three boyscouts and a man carrying a green sign that says Bluegrass Irish Society walking through a downtown street.

The 40th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival was held in 2019. | Photo by Ed Roller

The group — now led by Megan Moloney and Liza Hendley Betz — has been in charge of planning our St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival for decades. The festivities will take over downtown tomorrow, March 16 from 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. Expect music throughout the day from the likes of William Sutherland Reid Pipes & Drums + Celtic Blue.

Among other vendors, including local businesses and nonprofits, the festival will feature performances from two Irish dance schools — McTeggart Irish Dancers + Bluegrass Ceili Academy. Interested in learning a jig yourself? The schools offer lessons for both children + adults.

You don’t have to limit yourself to just one day. There’s plenty of places to enjoy Irish culture every day in Lexington.
 
Events
Friday, March 15
  • Art, Cocktails & Music | Friday, March 15 | 3-8 p.m. | CannaBuzz Bar & Dispensary, 938 Manchester St., Lexington | Free | See works from 12 regional artists and enjoy live music from Ben Lacy while sipping infused mocktails + cocktails.
  • National Espresso Martini Day + Espresso Candles | Friday, March 15 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Poppy & Pomelo, 526 E. High St., Lexington | $38-$50 | Sip your coffee cocktail (and smell it too) by pouring your own scented candle.
Saturday, March 16
  • Somatic Sound Bath | Saturday, March 16 | 2-3:30 p.m. | The Sound Healing Center of Lexington, 333 E. Short St., Ste. 320, Lexington | $50 | This sound healing experience tailored for mothers will help release emotional energy stored in the body.
  • St. Patrick’s Day Ceili at Pivot Brewing | Saturday, March 16 | 7-10:30 p.m. | Pivot Brewing, 1400 Delaware Ave., Lexington | $7-$40 | Support the McTeggart Irish Dancers at this evening of Irish social dancing, live music, revelry, and brews.
Sunday, March 17
  • A Night of Ballet | Sunday, March 17 | 2-4 p.m.| Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, 141 E. Main St., Lexington | $18-$30 | Pirouette over to see this ballet performance featuring a variety of styles and pieces, with original choreography.
  • The Leo Genovese Trio | Sunday, March 17 | 6-7:45 p.m. | Transylvania Mitchell Fine Arts Center, 350 N. Broadway, Lexington | $30 | GreenRoom Exchange and Origins Jazz are bringing Leo Genovese + his world class trio for an evening of original compositions.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Red Mile
 
News Notes
Number
  • $151.6 million. That’s the current projected cost for building the new Henry Clay High School. Construction on the 322,569-sqft building — with an auxiliary gym + full health clinic — is expected to begin in 2025. The new school will be located on its current Fontaine Road campus. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Open
  • Goldfish Swim School is officially open at 2520 Nicholasville Rd., Ste. 30 next to Malibu Jack’s. The year-round swim school offers indoor instruction for children ages four months to 12 years old. Free water safety presentations are also available for any school or community organization.
Announced
  • Trey Kennedy, famous on social media for his hilariously accurate impressions, is coming to the Lexington Opera House on Thursday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this stop of his “Grow Up” Tour go on sale today.
Cause
  • Jake’s Book Drive 4.0 is returning to the International Book Project Monday, March 18-Friday, March 22. Held in memory of late City Councilman Jake Gibbs, gently used books of all types can be donated, which will be given to local nonprofits like Kentucky Refugee Ministries + Habitat for Humanity.
Arts
  • Head to the patio at The Jockey Bar (131 Cheapside) tonight at 5 p.m. for the unveiling its temporary art installation “Art, Ales, and Advocacy.” Here you’ll see 10 hand-painted bourbon barrels featuring the work of artists including Kayla Webber, Wylie Caudill, and Lennon Michaslski.
Drink
  • The Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild (KBBG) and Holly Hill & Co. are teaming up for a new series. The Thirsty Fox will host KBBG’s tastings on the third Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Membership + registration are open for the next event, Wednesday, March 20.
Wellness
  • Heads up, Lexington: Don’t miss Luxe Lounge Med Spa’s March specials, including a refresh facial, a new skincare routine facial, and contouring filler discounts. Psst... Sign up for the 12-month Beauty Bank membership program this month and get a free lip flip or lash lift + tint.^
Finance
 
Travel

🇮🇪 Our Emerald Isle sibling

Meet Lexington’s sister city County Kildare, Ireland
LEX_kildare irish national stud gardens
The Japanese Gardens at the Irish National Stud were created in the early 1900s. | Photo courtesy of @irishnationalstudandgardens
Keeping with the Irish theme, today we’re introducing you to one of Lexington’s sister cities, County Kildare. Fun fact: St. Brigid — who formed a monastery in Kildare — is a patron saint of Ireland along with St. Patrick + St. Columba.

Just as we are considered the Horse Capital of the World, County Kildare is the epicenter of the thoroughbred industry in Ireland.

It’s home to the Irish National Stud & Gardens, a six-month residential course which gives students hands-on experience during a thoroughbred breeding season. And if you visit one or central Kentucky’s hundreds of horse farms, you’re likely to bump into one of their alumni — like City Editor Molly’s dad.

This year marks 41 years of the sister city partnership, which offers a student exchange for both high school + University of Kentucky students, as well as virtual exchange for elementary school students.
The Buy

The Buy 3.15.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The ultimate car vacuum kit, which plugs right into your car’s 12v aux outlet. The mini vacuum + parts come in a compact case, so you can easily and neatly store them in your trunk.
Share LEXtoday
 
ReferralGIF1-LEX.gif

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_16}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_16}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
 
The Wrap
 
Molly Thompson in a black shirt

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
Consider this your official heads up. If you want to see the cherry blossoms blooming at The Lexington Cemetery, now is the time.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY