In 1962, the Red River flooded — causing an event that would come to be known as “The Great Flood of Clay City.”
The event caused community members + government officials to begin advocating for the construction of a flood control dam.
The Dam
Congress approved the motion to build a dam + began to provide funding.
The $12-million dam was supposed to serve three major purposes: flood control, water supply + recreation
If completed, the dam would have created a 2,100-acre lake that submerged two-thirds of The Red River Gorge underwater.
The voices of the Gorge
1967: Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, an adamant conservationist, led a group of hikers + journalists on a two-mile hike through the Clifty Wilderness portion of Red River Gorge — expressing his concern for the dam while hiking.
1971:UK hired Wendell Berry, a local farmer + environmentalist, to write a book called “The Unforeseen Wilderness” to advocate for the preservation of the gorge.
There is now an established hiking trail that passes right through the heart of the gorge. It’s called the “Douglas Trail” in honor of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.
Events
Events
Friday, July 11
Brunch at Granddam with Free Valet Parking on Fridays | Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Granddam at The Manchester | $15+ | Indulge in craft coffee, cocktails, brunch favorites like jalapeño chicken and waffles + free valet parking.
Sound Healing Meditation with Adam Sutherland | 7-8:30 p.m. | The Sound Healing Center of Lexington | $25 | Ground yourself in the present moment + deepen your sense of calm at this communal meditation class.
42nd Street performed by The Lexington Theatre Company | Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13 | Times vary | Lexington Opera House | $40+ | Follow starry-eyed Peggy Sawyer’s big dreams of the spotlight in this love letter to Broadway.
Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show | Friday, July 11-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.
Saturday, July 12
Community Yoga at Greyline Station | 10-11 a.m. | Greyline Station | Free | All levels are welcome at this donation-based community yoga class — bring your own mat if possible.
Second Saturday Gaming | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Eastside Branch | Free | The whole family can drop-in to learn to play board games, like chess and others that can be borrowed from the Lexington Public Library.
Meal with Strangers-Saturday Brunch Series | 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 | 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.
Lost Palm Rooftop Sessions | 8-11 p.m. | Lost Palm at The Manchester | Free | Grab a table at the rooftop bar, enjoy some shareable plates, and dance the night away to the sounds of a live DJ.
Sunday, July 13
Sunday Morning Yoga with Molly Thompson | 9:30-10:15 a.m. | The Fountain Hall | Manchester Events | $15 | Treat yourself to a wellness boost with a 45-minute yoga class then brunch at Granddam for a complimentary mimosa.
An unforgettable trip to the Big Apple awaits. | Photo provided by Blue Grass Airport
Nights on Broadway. World-famous museums. Broadway shows. Fifth Avenue shopping. The magic of New York City is calling.
New York and the unforgettable experiences await you. No hassle. No connecting flights.
Whether a spontaneous weekend escape or an overdue getaway, your adventure starts at Blue Grass Airport — with daily non-stop flights to New York LaGuardia Airport via Delta Air Lines.
The Distillery District is rolling out a new parking policy. Guests can still park for free, but will need to have their parking validated by participating businesses in order to avoid being charged. You’ll have 40 complimentary minutes before needing to secure validation, which extends your time by two hours. (LEX18)
Biz
Xerox acquired Lexmark International, a Lexington printing + manufacturing company operating since 1991, in a $1 billion deal on July 1. At Lexmark’s prime, it was reporting $5 billion in profits. Fans of industrious history and vintage photography might enjoy a walk down Lexmark’s memory lane. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Real Estate
Floor-to-ceiling arched windows, hardwood beams, and historic fireplaces — you can find all of these in the historic pink home with ties to Henry Clay on Market Street. The 1816 home just hit the market, and we’re loving all 2,855 sqft. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Ranked
No. 9. That’s where Lexington landed on Coworking Cafe’s list of 2025’s Best Cities for Balance, work-life balance, that is. The horse capital of the world jumped two spots since last year due to its average sub-40 hour workweeks and mild commutes. We scored points for health insurance coverage + air quality.
Edu
WKYT shared start dates for the upcoming school year. All local districts and universities are due to start classes in August, except for Estill County + Transylvania University, which start after Labor Day. But summer’s not over yet — check out our list of kid-friendly activities across town.
State
Kentucky ranked No. 25 on CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business 2025” list. The ranking accounts for factors like the area’s economy, business friendliness, and cost of living. Wanting a crash course in Lexington’s business sector? Check out these leading industries. (CNBC)
Mailbag
When you subscribed, you may have received an email asking for your favorite nearby restaurant — and yes, we’ve been reading every response. This week, Reader Lisa V. shouted out BRU Burger, Mara A. recommended Dudley’s on Short, and Cindy R. shared her love for Bella Note.
Try This
What do pottery classes, yoga under the stars + science experiments have in common? They’re part of The Living Arts & Science Center’s upcoming lineup of events. The LASC’s Fun-Stitute is the place where learning and fun for all abilities + ages (yes, you adults, too) meet. We’ll see you in class, Lexington.*
Eat
McDonald’s is spicing up its menu and bringing the summer heat with new Spicy McMuffin breakfast sandwiches — made with all the classic ingredients + spicy pepper sauce. Can’t make it before the 10:30 a.m. cutoff? Try these brunch spots around Lexington instead.
It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day. Don’t miss out on great discounts before the deals end tonight:
🔌 38% off: A No. 1 best-selling smart plug you can control with your smartphone, your voice, or preset timers.
🩳 62% off: A three-pack of Calvin Klein men’s boxer briefs rated 4.6 stars.
🎒 36% off: A brilliantly basic adidas backpack in black, rated 4.8 stars and perfect for work, travel, or school.
🌴 23% off: A summery outdoor rug that’s big enough to cover your whole patio.
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.
We love digging through old newspaper clippings and archive photos — if you’ve got some ephemera to share, and the story that goes with it, be sure to drop us a line: hello@thelextoday.com
Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas on the day of his historical hike through ‘The Red.’ | Photo courtesy of micro film at the Lexington Public Library
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