36th Annual Roots and Heritage Festival Celebrates Culture

Lexington, KY, September 4, 2025

News Summary

The Roots and Heritage Festival kicks off in Lexington, celebrating African American culture with a vibrant mix of food, performances, and community engagement. This year’s event emphasizes unity and youth participation, featuring a Heritage Parade and a gospel celebration. Organizers encourage volunteers and creative ideas to enhance the festival experience. As one of the largest celebrations in the area, it honors the contributions of African Americans and invites the community to come together in a spirit of peace and inclusivity.

Lexington, KY – The 36th annual Roots and Heritage Festival kicks off this weekend, beginning on Friday and concluding on September 7. The festival celebrates African American culture and serves as a platform for community engagement, with organizers emphasizing its peaceful and inclusive nature. This year, the festival promises a vibrant mix of food, information, and entertainment over three days.

The inaugural festival took place in 1989 as a one-day event on Elm Street between Third and Fourth Street. Since then, it has grown significantly, evolving into one of the largest celebrations of African American achievements and culture in the Lexington area. Festival chair Kimberly Baird has highlighted this growth, noting the importance of honoring the contributions of African Americans of all ages, particularly in a time when external recognition is often limited.

This year’s festival will feature an African-American marketplace filled with local vendors, live performances across various genres, and a special emphasis on youth engagement. Devin Carama, the director of OneLex, has pointed out the festival’s crucial role in promoting a message of nonviolence among young people. The festival aims to foster a safe environment, ensuring that no conflicts arise during the festivities.

On Saturday morning, the festivities will include a Heritage Parade at 9:30 a.m., followed by a band showdown, which aims to showcase the musical talents of local artists and groups. The festival will close on Sunday with a celebratory gospel performance that highlights the rich musical traditions of the African American community.

Organizers are welcoming volunteers and creative ideas to enhance this year’s activities. Interested individuals can reach out via email at [email protected] for more information on how to participate. The festival stands as an essential event for the Lexington community, encouraging residents to come together to recognize and celebrate their cultural heritage.

The Roots and Heritage Festival has become a cornerstone of Lexington’s cultural landscape since its humble beginnings. With a focus on promoting unity and pride among community members, this weekend’s event is poised to continue that tradition, inviting all to part take in the festivities and celebrations throughout the three days.

Key Festival Highlights

• Event Name: 36th Annual Roots and Heritage Festival
• Dates: September 6 – September 7, 2023
• Location: Lexington, KY
• Main Features: Food, marketplace, live performances, youth engagement initiatives
• Special Events:
  • Heritage Parade – Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
  • Gospel Celebration – Sunday
• Contact: [email protected] for volunteering and participation details

Background Information

The Roots and Heritage Festival is steeped in rich tradition, starting as a single-day celebration intended to showcase local African American culture. Over the years, it has expanded its scope and scale, engaging more participants and audience members through well-planned activities and community-focused initiatives. This continuous effort aims to foster a strong sense of unity and pride within Lexington’s African American community.

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Additional Resources

• WKYT: Roots and Heritage Festival Returns
• Wikipedia: African American Culture
• Kentucky.com: Roots and Heritage Festival Coverage
• Google Search: Roots and Heritage Festival
• LEX18: Family Reunion at Roots and Heritage Festival
• Encyclopedia Britannica: African American History
• WTVQ: Festival Kicks Off
• Google News: Lexington Roots and Heritage Festival

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.