Lexington Kicks Off 250th Anniversary with New Year’s Eve Bash

Lexington is poised to celebrate its 250th founding anniversary, beginning with a community-wide New Year’s Eve party on December 31, held at the Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena. Sponsored by Maker’s Mark, the festivity will include free activities, providing an entertaining welcome to the new year.

The New Year’s Eve celebration kicks off at 5 p.m., featuring indoor activities for children, including inflatables and basketball at Rupp Arena, along with programming from the Lexington Children’s Museum. At 9 p.m., the event will transition outdoors, featuring free live music performances by local artists such as Tee Dee Young and Honeychild, complemented by food trucks and various vendors.

Following this inaugural celebration, January will spotlight wellness through a series of fitness events hosted by the YMCA of Central Kentucky on January 4-5. These family-friendly activities will take place at several YMCA locations across the city. According to Stephanie Arnold, executive director of philanthropy for the YMCA, registration is required. Sponsors for January’s events include University of Kentucky Healthcare, Baptist Health, Lexington Clinic, and CHI St. Joseph Health.

February will shift focus to local history, featuring a Sunday night supper series and other activities coordinated by the Lexington History Museum. In March, programming will revolve around education, with the organization 250Lex collaborating with public and private schools to engage students. A weekend-long scavenger hunt will challenge residents to explore and learn about Lexington’s history.

Mayor Linda Gorton announced these events during a news conference, emphasizing the city’s readiness to commence its year-long celebration leading up to the 250th anniversary in 2025. Gorton stated, “2025 is right around the corner and we are ready to hit the ground running…literally.”

The Lexington 250th commission, comprised of various community members, has meticulously planned events for each month throughout the celebration. Future monthly themes will include music and the written word in April, diversity in May, homecoming in June, culinary in July, business in August, sports in September, equine in October, arts in November, and concluding with a focus on the future in December.

Residents are encouraged to visit www.250lex.com for more information on events and registration details. This year-long initiative promises an enriching exploration of Lexington’s past, present, and future as the city commemorates a significant milestone in its history.