Two June 250Lex events celebrate the city like only Lexington can

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.

As part of the year-long celebration of Lexington’s 250-year history, June will see two big events designed to toast the city in a way only Kentucky can — with bourbon and a fashion show that pays tribute to several of the city’s landmarks.

“What’s a celebration about Lexington without bourbon? I don’t know about you, but I really don’t want to find out,” Mayor Linda Gorton said Tuesday during a press conference. “Bourbon is more than a drink here in the Commonwealth — it’s a part of our history, woven throughout Lexington’s 250-year-old story.”

Held at LexLive on Wednesday, June 11, the Big Ass Bourbon Tasting aims to be a record-breaking bourbon tasting. Attendees will not only get to participate in the world’s largest bourbon flight tasting, featuring bourbons from LF Heritage Distilling, Bespoken Spirits, Maker’s Mark and RD One Spirits, but will also get free food, musical entertainment from Honeychild, and maybe a celebrity sighting or two.

“Lexington is the gateway to Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, so it made a whole lot of sense to have a birthday bash surrounded by some of the best bourbons in town,” said Cameron Jones, LexLive’s director of sales and marketing. “Get your tickets and come on down. Twenty-five dollars gets you free food, free parking, we have some awesome celebrity guests in the mix, as well as just a great birthday bash. There’s no place better to celebrate 250 years of our city.”

Tickets are $25 per person and are available at lexlive.com.

Just a few days later, the “Cheers to 250Lex: It’s Showtime” will showcase the things that make Lexington special through fashion, music and dance, 250Lex co-chair Eunice Beatty said.

“This entertaining show salutes Lexington’s 250th birthday with a double stage, lighted runway, vocalist, live band, talented models and a few surprise moments,” she said. “It will be the most awesome salute to Lexington with both fashion and music.”

William Parris, owner of Uniqueness Unlimited Productions & Entertainment, is producing the event with models, local musicians, vocalists and a choreographed cabaret-style show.

The night will be one to remember, he said. From 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Central Bank Center on Friday, June 13, the “Cheers to 250Lex: It’s Showtime” event will incorporate fast-paced musical choreography with some of Lexington’s unique features.

“Once you have your bourbon on Wednesday, we’re asking you to come on Friday for the biggest entertainment you’re going to see in Lexington, Kentucky,” Parris said. “There’ll be dancing and singing, and we are bringing some of the highlights of Lexington landmarks and we are going to incorporate them into the fashion show.”

The celebrations are just two of the events throughout the month of June. 250Lex commissioners are asking Lexingtonians to invite friends and family to “Come Home” to Lexington to celebrate the city’s anniversary along with residents.

“June is certainly going to be lots of fun, and everybody’s invited to join in as much as you can,” Gorton said. “Make your plans, invite your friends, invite your family. There’s going to be a lot of people coming in to join us.”

More information about the events planned for the month of June for the 250Lex celebration can be found at 250Lex.com.

Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.