News Summary
Lexington is gearing up for a year-long celebration to mark its 250th anniversary. Festivities include a special ‘Back to School and Big Cake Celebration’ featuring horse shows, pony rides, and food trucks. Events honoring local businesses and cultural activities are also planned, including a picnic with music from the ’80s. The celebrations reflect the city’s commitment to its history and community involvement, making it a year to remember for residents and visitors alike.
Lexington is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary throughout the year 2025, marking a significant milestone in the city’s history. The series of festivities will include daily features sharing interesting historical facts, with the first major event taking place on August 2, 2025, at the Kentucky Horse Park, focusing on education and local businesses.
The event, titled “Back to School and Big Cake Celebration,” is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m.. Admission will be free for all public and private Fayette County K-12 students, their families, teachers, and school staff. This special celebration aims to honor the educational community while providing entertainment for families.
Attendees can expect a variety of attractions, including horse shows, pony rides, meet-and-greet opportunities, and a selection of food trucks. The first 250 children to arrive will receive complimentary cupcakes to mark Lexington’s 250th birthday. Furthermore, party favors such as popcorn, candy, and themed 250Lex t-shirts will be distributed to add to the festive atmosphere.
Following the initial celebration, the focus will shift from August 11 to 15 to honor small businesses as part of the annual “Salute to Small Business Awards.” Commerce Lexington will recognize the contributions of local businesses with daily visits to award-winning establishments, as well as Facebook Live segments to engage the community.
On August 12, a panel discussion in the @330 Series will feature representatives from the award-winning small businesses, discussing their experiences and the importance of their contributions to the local economy. To further honor small businesses, the Lexington Legends will host a “Salute to Small Business Night” at the ballpark on August 13, promising to be a highlight of the community celebrations.
Adding to the cultural festivities, the Lexington Philharmonic will present a special event titled “Back to the 80’s Picnic with the Pops,” where attendees can enjoy the hits from that iconic decade, led by Music Director Melisse Brunet. Additionally, the historic Kentucky Theater will continue its summer film series, showcasing a selection of classic films every Wednesday for just $6.50 per ticket. Upcoming screenings in August include titles like “Notorious” on August 6, “All That Jazz” on August 13, “Blade Runner” on August 20, and “The Big Lebowski” on August 27.
The year-long celebration features numerous other activities and events, with plans extending well beyond August, showing a commitment not just to remembering the city’s history but also to involving the community. As part of the 250th anniversary celebrations, new ‘250 LEX’ welcome signs have been installed along major thoroughfares in Lexington, welcoming both residents and visitors to partake in the festivities.
This important milestone, referred to as a semiquincentennial, is expected to foster a strong sense of community, encouraging local participation and seeking contributions from residents to ensure the celebration reflects the diverse culture and history of Lexington.
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Lexington Prepares for 250th Anniversary Celebrations
Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Know Your Kentucky
- Wikipedia: Lexington, Kentucky
- Spectrum News: Lexington Launching 250th Anniversary Celebration
- Google Search: Lexington Kentucky 250th Anniversary
- WKYT: 250Lex Announces Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kentucky
- VisitLex: Lexington a Must-Visit Destination in 2025
- Google News: Lexington Kentucky
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.
