Lexington sponsors full week of events honoring Veterans. Here’s when and where
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Veterans Festival scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12 at Masterson Station Park has been canceled due to inclement weather.
Lexington is gearing up for a full week of celebrations and events to honor military service veterans.
The events during the “Week of Valor” range from a 5K run, galas, boxing exhibitions and a full-day festival.
Veterans Resources United of Central/Southeastern Kentucky (VRUCK), the city of Lexington, the Kentucky National Association of Black Veterans (NABVET), the Lexington Veterans Affairs Health Care System and several other organizations have planned multiple events from Nov. 6-12 as part of the “Week of Valor.”
“It’s great to see so many supporting the veterans community here in Fayette County,” said. Rev. James Thurman of VRUCK, a coalition of service providers and advocates.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, whose family includes retired and active-duty military, asked residents to show up and show support for veterans.
“My family has always been part of the military, with my husband retiring from the Army and our two children currently part of military families,” Gorton said. “It is important that Lexington honors and thanks our veterans and those who support them.”
Here’s some of the events planned for the week of Nov. 6-12. To find out more go to vruck.org/event/week-of-valor:
- Nov. 6 at 1 p.m.: 5K race at the Veterans Administration Hospital Sousley Campus on Leestown Road
- Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.: Gala Honoring Military Women at the Downtown Hilton in Lexington.
- Nov. 8 at 8 a.m.: Special golf event at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville.
- Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.: “Legends” boxing exhibition at 120 Payne St
- Nov. 12 Veterans Day Festival at Masterson Station Park
The city’s Commission on Veterans’ Affairs is helping organize the Lexington Veterans Festival at Masterson Station Park on Nov. 12.
The festival is open to the public, and will include military displays, inflatables, resources for veterans, food trucks, music and more. The festival will begin at 11 a.m. The Veterans Festival announced Nov. 11 that the festival at Masterson Station Park was canceled due to rain and snow. The group hopes to reschedule the festival sometime in mid 2023.
“Thanks to the dedication and creativity of the members of the Commission on Veterans’ Affairs, we believe this year’s Veterans Festival will honor those who have served our country and also inform and inspire others in the spirit of service,” said Brian Engle, chairman of the Commission on Veterans’ Affairs. “This is very much an event for everyone, and we hope to see everyone there.”
This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
