MAY IS BIKE MONTH!
In May 2022, the City of Lexington is hosting its inaugural Bike Month. Bike Month celebrates riding a bicycle — for transportation, exercise and/or fun — while reminding drivers to slow down, pay attention and share the road. Bike Month will include in-person, virtual, and self-paced events hosted by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, along with community partners. Events will be free to the public and occur from May 1 – 31.
MAY AT ASHLAND, THE HENRY CLAY ESTATE
The Dining Room at Ashland is incredibly decorated for a short time and is a must see. In the Spring of 1892, Henry Clay’s great-granddaughter Nannette got married at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate. Throughout May, her elegant wedding gown will be on display, along with gifts the couple received, exquisite decorations, and a jaw-dropping table spread.
It was hailed as one of the weddings of the decade in 1892. 300 guests from far and wide
attended, filling up Lexington hotels. Locals took the streetcars out to Ashland all night to get a glimpse of the wondrous sight of electric lights newly introduced to the mansion. Today at Ashland, on special display Nannette’s petite ivory wedding gown, a lavish table spread with the finest china, silver, and crystal, a wedding cake, a selection of the many fine gifts received, and roses, garlands, and lights as Nannette had used in 1892.
Nannette’s wedding will be on exhibit at Ashland through the end of May.
How to see it:
- Take a Signature Henry Clay tour that’s offered multiple times daily, or
- Schedule a private Women’s Voices tour for your group and hear in greater detail all about
Nannette and her wedding. Call 859-266-8581 x202 or email Phil Janes pjanes@henryclay.org to schedule.
- BONUS: Ashland’s stunning Peony Garden will be in bloom early May!
WEDNESDAY MAY 4
Is The Force strong in you? Grab your lightsaber and tell your Wookiee friends about Lexington’s first May the 4th Be With You Celebration on Star Wars Day from 6 – 10 p.m. at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park. Activities include a people’s parade, food trucks, performances, live music from the movie, a photo booth, and Star Wars themed printmaking, along with a DJ and party at 9 p.m. (Bring your lightsabers!) This event is free and open to the public, with no registration required. Dark side or rebel scum, all forces will unite for a night of fandom fun!
SATURDAY MAY 7
Happy Derby Day!
Locals can celebrate the Kentucky Derby at Keeneland, with over 1,000 tvs, access to wagering, food,drink specials and live music in the Paddock. Gates open at 10 a.m. and parking is free. All tickets must be purchased in advance.
SUNDAY MAY 8
Mayfest Arts Fair presented by Central Bank returns to Gratz Park May 7 through May 8 downtown. Mayfest is a juried art fair with a focus on a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Included are up to 100 Artist Vendors, performances by musicians, dancers, strolling performers, food concession vendors, and family activities. Attendance at the two-day event, pre-pandemic, averaged 25,000.
EKU Center for the Arts presents Shen Yun at 2 pm. Shen Yun’S unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, inspiring journey through one of humanity’s greatest treasures—the five millennia of traditional Chinese culture. Enter a world where maidens danced with ethereal grace and generals fought with athleticism. Where timeless tales of valor and virtue were born. Featuring one of the world’s oldest art forms— classical Chinese dance—along with patented scenographical effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom.
TUE MAY 10
Come join Peppa Pig on an exciting camping trip in the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep, and Gerald Giraffe. With lunchboxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa and friends are excited about their outdoor adventure, full of singing, dancing, games, and surprises. Little piggies everywhere will love this 60-minute live musical experience. 6 pm Lexington Opera House.
SATURDAY MAY 14
The Madison County Public Library is proud to partner with Berea Kids Eat to bring the community the first annual Awesome Possum Festival, Saturday May 14th from 2pm to 6 pm at Glades Gardens in Berea. Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day. Events include local music from Steve Johnson and the New Beckham County Ramblers, locally-sourced treats, super fun possum-themed arts and crafts courtesy of local artists Jessica Dawn Holly and Winterberry Studio, and a visit with Dopey the Possum himself, courtesy of Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge. This event is free and open to the public.
Join Kentucky Ballet Theatre for the performance of the original Beauty and the Beast classical ballet, at the Lexington Opera House. The ballet is scheduled on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 7 pm, & Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 2 pm. The story is set in a small French village where Belle lives with her father Marcel. The plot is full of magical twists and turns complete with an evil spell, and a mysterious castle. The story unfolds and centers around the enchanted characters of the handsome Gustav, Belle, and of course the Beast. The audience will enjoy their interactions together, and finally breaking the evil spell revealing the true power of love.
MAY 27
Woodford Theatre presents Guys and Dolls (through June 12). Guys and Dolls ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950. It won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks and Oliviers. Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball, romantic comedy taking the audience from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.
