Bourbon barrels in front of a rick house. | Photo courtesy of @whiskeylore
Made in Lexington. Yep, that sure has a nice ring to it. From clothing and accessories, to snacks and other fun finds, we’ve rounded up 13 things homegrown in and around LEX.
Mingua Beef Jerky
This famous jerky was born just up the road in Paris by farmer Ronnie Mingua. He had one goal in mind: create a snack from premium cuts of meat with no artificial ingredients. Now, the family-owned business can be found all across the nation.
No false advertising here. | Photo by LEXtoday
Big Ass Fans
Look up in nearly any warehouse-style building, and you’ll likely see a huge fan spinning. That’s thanks to our very own self-explanatory Big Ass Fans, which is the largest producer of high-volume, low speed fans in the world. Robert Beatty
A staple in Lexington local music scene, you’ve likely also seen Robert’s work used in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and as the cover art for some of the world’s most famous musicians.
Lexington Tattoo Expo | Thursday, July 3-Sunday, July 6 | Times vary | Central Bank Center | $20+ | Tattoos artists from around the world will gather at this four-day event where attendees can get inked onsite.
Sunset Reggae @ the Cellar | 6-9 p.m. | The Cellar At Signature Club | Free | Enjoy live tunes from Positive Reaction at this community reggae night.
Fourth of July Festival | 10 a.m. | Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza | Free | Live music, children’s activities, and local vendors are on the agenda for this community festival celebrating the Fourth of July.
Fourth Fest on Four Mile | Friday, July 4-Sunday, July 6 | 12 p.m. | 3685 Four Mile Rd., Winchester | $55+ | The Fourth of July festivities will continue all weekend long on the Kentucky River — food trucks, craft vendors, live music, and of course fireworks are on the agenda.
Saturday, July 5
Fourth of Ju-Luau | 12-5 p.m. | Ethereal Brewing | Free | The fourth annual Fourth of Ju-Luau party is back — attend for special beer releases, tiki slushies, and more.
Meal with Strangers-Saturday Brunch Series | Saturday, July 5-Saturday, June 27 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | A Restaurant in Lexington | $13 | Register for this unique dining experience where you’ll meet new people and enjoy a delicious brunch — registration does not include the price of your meal.
FoodChain Farm Tours | Saturday, July 5, Saturday, July 12 | 1-2 p.m. | 501 W 6th St Suite 105 | $5+ | Tour this aquaponics farm to learn the history and mechanics of aquaponics — tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults.
Monday, July 7
Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show | Monday, July 7-Saturday, July 12 | Rolex Stadium | $15 | Help support the Junior League + join 1,000 world recognized competitors by enjoying a full week of equestrian events, from Legacy Night to Family Day.
Music Open Mic Night | Monday, July 7-Monday, Aug. 4 | 5 p.m. | Kenwick Table | Free | Bring your (tuned) instrument to this musically inclined performance opportunity with an all ages audience. Sign ups start at 5 p.m.
Are you drooling yet, Lexington? | Photos courtesy of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Pull up a chair at The Trustees’ Table and taste 200 years of tradition — reimagined.
Chef Amber Hokams and Farm Manager HP Lovelace bring guests a true seed-to-table experience, crafting a family-style menu using seasonal ingredients grown just steps away in the Shaker Village garden. Dig into Kentucky classics like Mrs. Kremer’s Fried Chicken, Country Catfish, Johnny Cakes, and the Fried Chicken & Biscuits Platter served with Shaker Village honey.
Each day brings a rotating selection of fresh-from-the-earth sides — okra and corn one day, beets and collards the next. Pro tip: Don’t skip dessert. Their famous Shaker Lemon Pie is served daily.
Whether it’s your first visit or a beloved tradition, every meal here connects you to the land, the season, and the people who tend it. Located just 40 minutes from Lexington, The Trustees’ Table is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Your next family tradition starts there.
UK’s Jaxson Robinson is headed to the NBA. Robinson will be joining the Cleveland Cavaliers after agreeing to an Exhibit 10 contract. (Sports Illustrated)
Coming Soon
Howdy, Cavender’s. The popular Western-wear retailer announced it will be opening its first Kentucky location in Lexington’s Fayette Mall this fall. Shoppers can expect well-known boot brands, as well as hat shaping and boot fitting. (Lexington Herald Leader)
Two researchers at the University of Kentucky are working to develop therapy that targets post-heart attack inflammation using a well-known antibiotic, azithromycin. Learn more about the two-phase project, which has received a $1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Ranked
No. 13. That’s where Lexington ranked on FinanceBuzz’s list of most boring cities in the US, and we couldn’t disagree more. As Harvey Danger taught us, “If you’re bored, then you’re boring” — besides, haven’t they seen our events guide?
Finance
Even “1883" couldn’t script a gold run like this: An ounce of gold is expected to cost $4,000 in 2026. Diversify your portfolio with a gold IRA — no pickaxe required.†*
Older Adults
Your fifties + beyond is a great time to build wealth. Beyond basics like bulk shopping and retirement accounts, here are 14 financial benefits seniors are entitled to (but often forget to claim).*
Shop
Mood’s rapid onset THC gummies deliver gentle body relaxation with a strong but balanced, clear-headed euphoria — all in as little as five minutes. Get 20% off.†*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
As Lexington artist Kayla Weber said, “there’s no better time to refresh your walls and add a little red, white, and bluegrass to your home.” I’m eyeing the “Colorful Horse” series for our little boy’s room.
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