June is homecoming month in Lexington. See events planned, ways to celebrate

Organizers for 250Lex’s June events have enough planned to make any Lexingtonian want to “Come Home.”

As part of the year-long celebration of Lexington’s 250-year founding, organizers named June homecoming month. And what better way to get those who may have moved away to travel back to town than to host some spectacular events?

Organizers have put together a jam-packed calendar of events with something for everyone — there’s something happening nearly every day in June.

The month starts off with Railbird, Lexington’s own music festival with two days of music on three different stages.

On May 31 and June 1, music will take over the Infield at Red Mile and feature performances by Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Shaboozy and the Red Clay Strays. It promises to be another stellar show coupled with unique bourbon experiences curated by Justin Sloan and Justin Thompson of Justins’ House of Bourbon. Tickets are available at https://www.railbirdfest.com.

Speaking of bourbon, June is also the month for the Big Ass Bourbon Tasting at LexLive. From 5 to 9 p.m. on June 11, Lexingtonians can join together to set a record for the world’s largest bourbon tasting. LexLive will attempt to get 2,025 bourbon lovers together to try a bourbon flight while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, live music and giveaways. Tickets are $25 per person and are available on Eventbrite.

Lexington’s annual Pride Festival will also take place in June. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, the Pride Festival will take over Oliver Lewis Way to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Lexington and Kentucky.

While the festival means something different to everyone, organizers said, it represents belonging, freedom, safety, acceptance and love. The day will feature live performances, speakers, vendors, community booths, activities, food and drinks. Now in its 17th year, the festival is free and open to the public.

Leslie Miller, VP of Marketing and Communication with VisitLex, said there’s so much more going on this month.

“Those are some of our signature events, that are always so much fun, but in celebration of our city’s 250th Anniversary, there are so many other fabulous events and activities going on throughout the city,” she said. “Some things that come to mind include ‘Meet the NEIGHbors’ with Visit Horse Country offering free tours to the public, Swahili Day, Porchfest, ‘Cheers to 250Lex, It’s ShowTime’ and so much more.”

PorchFest is a Lexington event that has grown over the years, Saraya Brewer with Smiley Pete Publishing said. The two-day event June 7 and 8 is a “choose your own adventure” style event where individuals host low-key, intimate musical performances on their front porches, lawns, or driveways. Neighbors and others are encouraged to attend as many performances as they’d like throughout the weekend.

“There have been lots of successful neighborhood porch fests across the country, including a really great and popular one here in the Lexington neighborhood Kenwick — but city-wide porch fests are a bit less common, as far as we can tell,” she said. “There have been tons of fantastic events lined up as part of the 250Lex celebrations all year long, but we feel this one is unique in that it provides an opportunity to bring the city’s 250th birthday celebration directly into the homes and neighborhoods across the city.”

Brewer said there are about 40 participating locations, including Talon Winery, Hicks & Funfsinn Law Offices, Emporium Vintage & Antiques, the Southland Drive Farmers’ Market, Camel Club and Ashland Terrace. The Hound 96.1 FM’s station manager will host a party featuring performances by some of the station’s employees and their bands, she said.

For those who like the movie scene, The Kentucky Theater will present a 250Lex series of movies connected with Lexington residents — including “The Hustler,” written by one-time Lexington resident Walter Tevis; “Good Night and Good Luck,” directed by Lexington native George Clooney; “Double Jeopardy,” starring one-time Lexington resident Ashley Judd; and “Take Shelter” starring Lexington native, Michael Shannon.

Sports fans can also toast the Lexington Legends anniversary weekend in June. On June 6 and 7, the Legends will hold “Come Home Weekend” at Legends Field and the team will be celebrating their 25th anniversary season. Tickets are available at lexingtonlegends.com.

Other events in June include Swahili Day celebrating the Swahili culture in Lexington; “Cheers to 250Lex, It’s ShowTime” — a cabaret-style show showcasing the history of Lexington through fashion; and Paint the Park, with free painting in Thoroughbred Park.

“There are so many great events happening in June, and we believe it is one of the best times to experience Lexington,” Miller said. “We are encouraging our locals to break out of their group chats and invite their friends and family to come visit us, whether they are coming home or visiting for the first time.”

For those Lexington residents wanting to get in on the parties, VisitLex is offering welcome kits to bring a little bit of Come Home to their own porches. The kits residents with things to welcome visitors home with a variety of Lexington-themed items, including a visitors guide, tour maps and blue horse swag. Kits can be requested at VisitLEX.com/250lex/cmon/.

“Kits are available while supplies last and must be picked up by June 6th,” Miller said. “We love having our local community stop by and see us! We also have postcards that can be utilized to help invite your friends and family to Lexington.”