An Ofrenda or “offering"— like the one seen here at LASC — is an altar decorated with marigolds and photos of loved ones who have died. | Photo by LEXtoday
Día de los Muertos (aka Day of the Dead) is a holiday that remembers and honors the lives of loved ones who have died. Observed today + tomorrow, it originated in Mexico, with roots tracing back 3,000 years to Aztec and pre-Aztec Indigenous peoples. To this day, it’s celebrated in communities with Mexican heritage and all over Latin America.
If you’re interested in commemorating the day, here’s a few celebrations happening around town:
Day of the Dead Open House, Friday, Nov. 1
RADIOLEX will be open to the public from 5 to 7 p.m. and encourages locals to bring photos of their loved ones to add to the altar. Light refreshments will be served.
Annual Day of the Dead Celebration, Friday, Nov. 1
Join the Living Arts + Sciences Center for a photography display by Michael Andrews and a community-created Ofrenda while Artist in Residence August Castillo shows off his skills. The event will take place 5-8 p.m.
Ofrendas are a way to connect with the spirits of those who have died. | Photo provided by LASC
Day of the Dead Festival, Saturday, Nov. 2
Head to the Moondance Amphitheater from 5 to 9 p.m. to honor those who have died. There will be live music, an Ofrenda contest, food trucks, local vendors, and more. Don’t forget to dress as a Catrin or Catrina.
Day of the Dead at Lost Palm, Saturday, Nov. 2
From 1 to 4 p.m., the rooftop lounge will host two tattoo artists, food and drink specials, and face painting at this event. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Neighbors Immigration Clinic.
Día de los Muertos Celebration, Saturday, Nov. 9
This celebration of life and death at Carbajal’s Garden Center in Lawrenceburg will include traditional dance, food, and live music. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best calavera makeup and attire.
Day of the Dead Alter, ongoing
Bring photos to the Marksbury Family Branch of the Lexington Public Library to help Casa de la Cultura de Ky build an Ofrenda honoring deceased loved ones.
Events
Events
Friday, Nov. 1
Friends Book Cellar Book Sale | Friday, Nov. 1-Saturday, Nov. 2 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Central Library | Free | Support the Lexington Public Library system by shopping 50,000+ used books, CDs, and DVDs.
Akaash Singh | Friday, Nov. 1-Saturday, Nov. 2 | Times vary | Comedy Off Broadway | $30 | Laugh out loud with the comedian + podcaster seen on MTV, HBO, and Netflix.
A Cult Classic Halloween | Friday, Nov. 1-Saturday, Nov. 2 | 8 p.m. | The Burl | $20+ | Dress as your favorite cult classic character for this two-night Talking Heads experience with music from Same as it Ever Was.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Closing Day: Kentucky Children’s Garden | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Arboretum | $4 | It’s the garden’s final day of operation for 2024 with programming to study native Kentucky animals through skulls and fur.
Glow Ride | 5:30-8 p.m. | Coolavin Park | Free | Light up the night at this educational festival followed by a two-mile glowing bike ride.
“Dracula: The New World” | Saturday, Nov. 2-Sunday, Nov. 10 | Times vary | The Spotlight Playhouse, Berea | $11+ | This chilling take on the vampire legend blends gothic horror with the haunting atmosphere of the Appalachian Mountains with an all-new background soundtrack.
Sunday, Nov. 3
Percussion Ensemble Fall Concert | 3-4:30 p.m. | Singletary Concert Hall | Free | Director Matthew Geiger leads the “Reflections and Dreams Looking Back and Looking Forward” performance.
“Don’t Fear Your Roar” Launch Party | 3-5 p.m. | Lexington Theatre Company | Free | Author Darian Sanders provides an inspiring message at this book launch with conversation, live music, and light refreshments.
Plans for a three-county park will not move forward after Georgetown City Council rejected the proposal. Scott, Fayette, and Madison counties would have shared the 500-acre business park. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved $2.1 million for the project — that funding’s new use is TBD. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Sports
Lexington Sporting Club is opening its Endline Club in sections 113-117, a space designed to give fans a premium viewing experience. The climate-controlled club offers ticket holders lounge spaces, multiple TVs, and all-inclusive food and soft drinks. Tickets are now on sale.
Closing
That’s a wrap for 2024. The Ginkgo Tree Cafe at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate is closing for the season today. The outdoor lunch patio will reopen in spring 2025.
Cause
Local nonprofit Believing in Forever launched its annual “A Coat To Keep The Cold Away” drive. The campaign has a goal of collecting + distributing 3,000 winter coats to Central Kentucky youth in need. Support the effort by making a monetary donation or purchasing a new coat through Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Biz
Boonedogs is serving up a new schedule. The bar and restaurant — where locals relish the beer and acclaimed hot dogs — will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Outdoors
John’s Run/Walk Shop is looking for more people to support its West Sixth Farm 10K Trail Run tomorrow. If you want to help keep the event moving, sign up to serve as a volunteer. The run supports KYMBA and the Kentucky Resources Council.
Job
Looking to make some holiday cash while helping deliver gifts? UPS is hosting its annual “Brown Friday” virtual information session today, 7-11 a.m. in preparation for the gift surge. The company plans to hire 400 seasonal employees in the Lexington area. (LEX18)
Finance
Inflation may be cooling, but car insurance premiums aren’t. Why? All insurance is now priced in real-time — so repair times, parts shortages, and credit scores all play a part in the final price. Take Money’s questionnaire on your best car insurance experience to see if you can save.*
The Buy
The Buy
A whole room space heater. Save $30 on a small but mighty space heater with a focus on safety — it has tip-over protection, a cool touch case, and will automatically shut off if overheated.
It’s November, and it might not feel like it, but it’s ice skating weather. The Rink at Triangle Park opens for the season tomorrow, and if you want to glide by for a skating session, it’s $18 for one hour (skate rentals included).
Answered
Answered
We asked: Are Skittles the most popular Halloween candy in Kentucky?
Turns out, Kentucky is nuts for peanut butter cups. | Photo via canva
Before Halloween, we stated “Skittles are the most popular Halloween candy in Kentucky.” Then, we asked you to identify if this was a trick (false claim) or treat (true). Based on guesses from LEXtoday readers:
65.9% thought this statement was a trick
34.1% thought this was a treat
The majority of readers are correct, we tried to trick you. According to Mental Floss, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the most popular candy in the Bluegrass State (based on data from 2007 to 2023).
