Our Life Together

Summer Checklist.

There are many great events happening around Lexington in the summer. While my favorite season is spring, my favorite time of year is summer. There is just so much to do! Here are some things on our summer checklist that we hope to enjoy between now and fall…

Music:
+Thursday Night Live – Free live music downtown at Cheapside Park every Thursday from 4:30-8:30pm. Come August 12th when Faith in Action will be the featured non-profit organization of the night!
+Big Band & Jazz at Ecton Park – Free live jazz/big band music, bring a lawn chair and be prepared for crazy crowds and parking far, far away. Lots of dogs.
+Southland Jamboree – Free live music, more folk and bluegrass in style. Bring a lawn chair. BBQ concessions on site. Located next to the bowling lanes.
+Tunes in the Vines and Jazz on the Porch – Vineyards featuring live music!

Arts:
+KCTC Summerfest – My #1 favorite summer event… outdoor theater at the UK Arboretum! I even had the experience of being an Assistant Stage Manager for The Taming of the Shrew for this summer theater series in 2001. We bring a blanket, a picnic dinner, and enjoy pre-show music followed by the feature as the sun sets. Beautiful, enjoyable atmosphere, and offering a great variety of performances for all tastes. There is always a Shakespearean production and two others. This year will feature The Merchant of Venice, Pride & Prejudice, and the musical Rent. Tickets are $10 and worth every penny. We already purchased season passes for 2010. Join us on one of the Friday night performances!
+Ballet Under the Stars – Only Trevor has been to this event, but we hope to go together this year. After 2 years in a country that reveres the ballet, I’ve learned that it is really not *that* boring!
+Woodland Arts Fair – Tons of artisans, a great event, albeit also very crowded. I tend to prefer Mayfest that occurred over Mother’s Day weekend this year.
+Gallery Hop – We’ve missed the June event, but are looking forward to attending in the fall. Last time we attempted going, we neglected to remember it ended at 8pm instead of 9pm and didn’t arrive downtown until 7:45pm just as things were closing down… whoops.

Recreation:
+Paddle boats at Jacobson – We enjoyed this on my birthday this year! For $3, you get a paddle boat for 2 people on the lake at Jacobson park for half an hour. It was plenty of time to roam around on the water, and catch sight of several birds.
+Lexington Legends – While I’m not a baseball fan, it’s still fun to go and eat a hot dog at least once every summer. We’ll be there Saturday July 17th to support Faith in Action as the organization in the Community Spotlight for the evening.
+Second Sunday – Community bike rides the 2nd Sunday of the month. The last Second Sunday ride was at the airport, as we previously chronicled here. Upcoming bike rides this summer will go to Masterson Station Park, Jacobson Park, and Beaumont Center.
+Hiking Spots – There are many parks to hike. From the Red River Gorge to Raven Run, McConnell Springs to Shakertown, there are plenty of woodlands and breath-taking nature spots to explore! We’re hoping to both hike and camp several times this summer. Here’s a great list of hiking destinations around Kentucky.

Other:
+Bluegrass 10K and July 4th festivities – Yep, lest we haven’t already told you enough, we’re running with a team of friends at the Bluegrass 10K on Saturday July 3rd to raise money for Compassion’s Child Survival Program. Fourth of July festivities will be around downtown the whole day as well.
+Summer Classics at the Kentucky – Several classic movies showing on Wednesday afternoons and evenings throughout the summer. I’m hoping to check another one off my list of the AFI Top 100 – “From Here to Eternity” showing on August 25th.

We hope this list inspires you to get out in the community and have some fun!
Want to know how we know so much going on? We read the Southsider/Chevy Chaser! Free publications available at coffee shops, Paneras, and other restaurants around town that lists events around town at the back.