October 250Lex events celebrate Lexington as the horse capital of the world
Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history — some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.
October is traditionally a time for spooky spirits, but this year in Lexington, the month will focus on the equine spirit too.
For the year-long celebration of Lexington’s founding 250 years ago, the 250Lex Commission decided the theme for the month of October would be the city’s equine heritage. Coinciding with the fall meet at Keeneland, events will feature horses, Lexington’s love of them, and the city’s reputation as the horse capital of the world.
The city’s history will be chronicled in a special feature from KET. At 7 p.m. on Oct. 13, KET will show “Lexington: 250 Years” at the Kentucky Theater. From the city’s establishment on the banks of Town Branch Creek through the Civil War, the Great Depression and world wars, the three-hour documentary will take viewers through the city’s past.
Narrated by actor and Lexington native Josh Hopkins, the movie is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6, and seating is first-come, first-served. The film will later be televised on KET on Oct. 20.
You can’t celebrate equine month without the start of the fall meet at Keeneland. Running from Oct. 3 to Oct. 25, the meet will feature 22 stakes races over 17 days, worth a record-breaking $10.85 million in purses.
The meet begins with a weekend of 11 races, eight of which are Challenge Series qualifiers for specific Breeders’ Cup races that will run Oct. 31 through Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
On Oct. 14, Black Soil KY will host author and equestrian Chanel Minnifield to talk about her debut book, “Yes, That’s Vegan: Rooted & Balanced,” and her current goal of becoming the first Black American to ride in the Olympics. Guests will enjoy a recipe prepared by Minnifield from her book using local produce from Black Soil Ky.
The event runs 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 14 at Black Soil, 820 Lane Allen Road Suite. 176. Tickets are free, but the doors to the event close promptly at 6 p.m., organizers said.
At the end of the month, from Oct. 22 to Nov. 2, the Kentucky Horse Park will host the National Horse Show. Ranked as one of the top shows in the U.S. by the North American Riders Group, the hunter/jumper event will feature junior and amateur owner jumpers and top Open Jumpers from America and around the world participating in a full array of hunter divisions.
There will be plenty of spooky things to lead up to Halloween as part of 250Lex too.
On Oct. 12, the Mary Todd Lincoln House will host a history walk through the Lexington Cemetery. The self-guided tour will focus on Lexington’s divided loyalties during the Civil War and will feature museum staff stations along the route to share stories from the time.
Tickets are $10 online, with walks at 2, 2:30 and 3 p.m., which begin at the Henry Clay Monument in the cemetery.
On Oct. 26th, it’s time for the Thriller! Lexington. Possibly the oldest Thriller Parade in the country, the Lexington Thriller parade started in 2002. Part of the city’s Halloween parade, it has become a must-do event for Halloween and zombie lovers throughout the area.
The event has been named a Top 10 Halloween Destination by USA Today, and has been featured in the Top 25 Best Halloween Festivals Across the U.S by Oprah Magazine. Organizers are still looking for zombies too. You can register to be one, and sign up for Thriller rehearsals, at LexingtonKY.gov.
Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.