06.03.2024

Today’s Forecast

83º | 24% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:15 a.m. | Sunset 8:56 p.m.

🥒 Pickleball, y’all

Your guide to picking up pickleball in Lexington, KY

A group of men playing pickleball under lighted courts.

It’s not uncommon to see the courts packed at Kirklivington Park. | Photo by Paul Hooper

Imagine a net shorter than a tennis net, mix in a paddle bigger than a ping pong paddle, and top it with a court the size of a badminton court — and that’s how you make pickleball, the fast-paced game that’s sweeping the nation.

Why the pickleball craze?

Known as the fastest-growing sport in the US, the game first got its start in 1965 and has since skyrocketed in popularity the last few years — growing to millions of players, 38,000 courts, and 47 major tournaments across the country.

The sport came to Lexington ~11 years ago thanks to Ron Eversole, an administrator at Tates Creek Christian Church, who learned about the sport on a trip to Florida. He decided to build a court at the church, encouraged friends to try the sport, and the rest was history.

One of those friends was Dan Ewing, who is now the president of the Kentucky Pickleball Association. “It is the most social sport I have ever played. You have an opportunity to get to know people you otherwise would never cross paths with,” Dan said.

A group of people playing pickleball — Pickleball is great for all ages and levels of athletes. | Photo by Amy Wallot

Where to play

Lexington’s first pickleball-specific facility, Pickleball Paddock is getting closer + closer to coming to fruition. Located at 968 Enterprise Ct. — off Alexandria Drive + Old Frankfort Pike — follow along for updates on its opening day.

In recent years, Parks & Recreation has answered the call to create more accessibility to the sport throughout the city. The following parks have dedicated outdoor courts:

Gardenside — 1 court
Kirklevington — 12 courts
Meadowthorpe — 2 courts, painted over tennis courts
North Lexington YMCA — 10 courts
Whitaker Family YMCA — 1 court
Lexington Senior Center — 1 court, reserved for members/guests
Cardinal Run North — 10 courts, coming soon

Pick up that paddle

Events

Monday, June 3

Litter-Ally Kentucky: Collage en Plein Air | Monday, June 3-Sunday, June 30 | 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Eastside Branch Gallery, 3000 Blake James Dr., Lexington | Free | See the unique landscape works by John Andrew Dixon made from recycled paper.

Tuesday, June 4

Paint and Sip | Tuesday, June 4 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Pinot’s Palette Fayette Mall, 3851 Mall Rd., Ste. 110, Lexington | $35 | Kick back and relax as you brush up on your painting skills with a calming beach scene.

Wednesday, June 5

Yoga + Trivia | Wednesday, June 5 | 6-8 p.m. | Old North Bar, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington | Free | Treat your body and mind to some fun with back-to-back yoga + trivia.

Thursday, June 6

Thursday Night Live | Thursday, June 6 | 5-8 p.m. | Fifth Third Bank Pavilion, 251 W. Main St., Lexington | Free | Head downtown for the perfect post-work wind down featuring live music, ice-cold beverages, and local food.

Friday, June 7

Golden Hour: $5 Friday | Friday, June 7 | 5-8 p.m. | Harkness Edwards Vineyards, 5199 Combs Ferry Rd., Winchester | Free | Soak in the sunset among the vines while sipping specially priced wine, sangria, and cocktails.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Community

Have a summer of fun at Lexington Public Library

a gif featuring images of summer fun at Lexington Public Library

Kickstart a summer of fun with help from Lexington Public Library. | Photos by LPL staff member Jeremy Midkiff; GIF by LEXtoday

Calling all bookworms: Lexington Public Library is celebrating the start of summer reading this week. The Summer at the Library Kickoff Party features a petting zoo, a free book fair, special appearances from favorite book characters, activities, and more.

The fun doesn’t stop there. The library is also hosting a series of free, kid-friendly events throughout the summer, including:

STEAM experiences
Interactive performances
Arts and crafts
And more

Explore the full lineup and escape the hot Kentucky sun with a trip to the library.

Plan your summer fun

News Notes

Eat

A new, but similiar food concept has arrived to The Void Sake Co. Kowai, a Japanese fusion food truck, is officially open, taking over the former Nebutori food truck. Head to 819 National Ave., Ste. 120 to try from its menu, including bites like wagyu hot dogs topped with shisito peppers and kewpie slaw + more.

Lexingtonian

Graphic artist Robert Beatty has been tapped by one of the biggest movie production companies right now on the scene. Beatty has designed a release of merchandise for A24 inspired by CRT televisions. Browse the collection.

Weather

A new weather app from UK’s Agriculture Weather Center aims to better support Kentucky’s farming industry. In partnership with the school’s Ag Engineering + Center for Computational Sciences, Weather Alert is GPS-enabled, allowing farmers to receive alerts + make informed production decisions based on their county.

Read

Our friends at the Lexington Herald-Leader are moving toward a more digital-focused operation. Starting Monday, Aug. 5, the publication will transition to a 24/7 digital product with three print editions weekly. Editor-in-chief Richard Green said that the change comes as advertisers and readers both lean away from print.

Plan Ahead

Explore the beautiful, rolling hills of Horse Country right in Lexington’s backyard with Meet the NEIGHbors, Visit Horse Country’s community-based event returning on Saturday, June 15 + Sunday, June 16. Book a free tour to meet famous stallions, foals, and yearlings, and peek behind the scenes at a real equine medical clinic.*

Eat

🍩 Do-nut panic

How to celebrate National Donut Day in Lexington

Please, refrain from licking the screen. | Photo courtesy of @north_lime

Do you go nuts for donuts? Then, like us, you probably know that National Donut Day is this Friday, June 7. If you knead a rundown of the best shops to snag a sweet treat, we’ve got you covered.

Donut Days, 185 Southland Dr.
Travel into downtown for a donut-palooza, featuring flavors like blueberry + apple cider. Plus, buy 10 donuts and get two free.

North Lime Donuts, 3101 Clays Mill Rd. + 101 W. Loudon Ave.
Head to either location to try the National Donut Day specials: Vegan blackberry-filled, gluten-friendly French toast, or the Rapstachio for a fruity + nutty treat.

OMG Donuts, 3449 Buckhorn Dr.
Not only can you snag a delicious cookies + cream smoothie here, but add a dozen donuts to that order, and you’ll get a glazed one for free.

Spalding’s Bakery, 760 Winchester Rd.
Yeast the day at this nearly century-old institution known for its iconic glazed + specialty cake donuts.

The Buy

The Buy 6.03.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Summer slides for Father’s Day. The OOFOS slides are easy to slip on and engineered to reduce stress on feet, joints, and back, so they’re perfect for Dad. Bonus: Grab a pair for yourself.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

Did y’all hear Syers Browning made Southern Living’s list for The Best Home Decor Stores In The South? The Warehouse Block shop was highlighted for owner Janice Leake’s warmth and eagerness in helping customers find exactly what they’re looking for.

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