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Samuel Collins Hicks

Newsletter Editor

Sam is a poet and essayist living in Lexington, KY. With experience in theatre, education, and advertising, Sam takes pride in using his communication skills to build community. When he’s not writing, Sam enjoys long walks downtown, movies at the Kentucky Theatre, and naps with his cat.

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A big pavilion filled with vendor booths.
Live
Your guide to Lexington’s farmers markets
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up seven farmers markets around Lexington.
August 26, 2025
 · 
Molly Thompson
Two plates featuring avocado toast with lettuce + paprika with a coffee mug and orange juice from Beau's Cafe.
Live
Lexington’s best gluten-free restaurants
No matter why you’re avoiding it, you can find gluten-free restaurants throughout the Horse Capital of the World.
June 18, 2025
 · 
Molly Thompson
Mayor Linda Gorton standing in front of a podium speaking
City
Council approves Mayor Gorton’s budget for fiscal year 2026
The approved budget includes a $300 million investment in public safety, as well as significant investments in city infrastructure.
June 17, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
The Tates Creek Community Center, a one story brick building with a green roof. On top of the roof are several large, dark solar panels.
City
Lexington to go net zero by 2050
Lexington has just 25 years to achieve net zero emissions by avoiding the use of oil and plastic products and focusing on renewable energy.
June 12, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
Two people clinking glasses of bourbon together.
The history of National Bourbon Day
Grab a glass and some ice — this is a good story.
June 12, 2025
 · 
Aayat Ali
A full moon rising over the Natural Bridge State Resort Park.
Tats, Tunes, and Intention Setting: 3 ways to celebrate Friday the 13th
Break a mirror, walk under a ladder, and pet that black cat, because we’ve got three charming ways to witness Friday the 13th — good luck only.
June 10, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
The Explorium's Healthy Me gallery with a massive model of a mouth.
Free Cutural Pass keeps kids engaged all summer long
Prevent your student’s summer slump with everything from live music to art classes, thanks to the free Cultural Pass from LexArts.
June 5, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
A packed audience at the Kenwick Table look on as a speaker stands at the microphone reading from a piece of paper.
Arts
Share your spirit at LEX’s 5 best open mics
From musical Mondays to teens trying trochees, these open mics will have you signing up for more in the Horse Capital of the World.
June 3, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
1775 Mooreland Hot Homes Lakewood Great Room Book Case Bookshelves
Real Estate
Hot Homes: This Lakewood estate says “let’s play”
Fresh on the market, this house combines elegance, comfort, and a sense of fun into one lucky Lakewood, Lexington home.
June 2, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning sign
Arts
LEX get lit(erary) during Lexington Poetry Month
Celebrate Lexington Poetry Month this June by registering for the LexPoMo Challenge and writing your name in the history poetry books
May 27, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
East High Street Pilot Area
Pedestrian safety pilot program comes to High Street
One of Lexington’s busiest intersections is getting a face lift in an attempt to increase pedestrian safety and boost neighborhood foot traffic.
May 27, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
Pikeville Pride flood
Stay safe during severe spring storms
We’ve got the resources LEX residents need to stay informed, report storm damage, and help each other recover from this spring storm state of emergency.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
Five people help hang up an American flag.
Events
What to do this Memorial Day Weekend in Lexington
Memorial Day is Monday, May 26 and we’re rounding up events to commemorate and honor the day.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Aayat Ali
lex-placeholder-renderings
Travel and Outdoors
Gatton Park on the Town Branch is finally (almost) ready
Lexingtonians are ready and raring to experience this long-awaited outdoor oasis of culture and community, starting August 2025.
May 19, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
AVOL Walk Lexington Emma Curtis
AVOL + LEX fight HIV/AIDS
AVOL Kentucky’s annual event celebrates hope, community, and support for those impacted by HIV.
May 15, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
Two hanging posters detailing the Marquis de Lafayette's 1845 visit to Lexington, KY.
Celebrate revolutionary Marquis de Lafayette’s bicentennial visit
200 years after his visit to the county that bears his name, the Marquis de Lafayette will be commemorated with two new historical markers.
May 14, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
The facade of Henry Clay's mansion
Live
Neighborhood Guide: Ashland Park and Chevy Chase
From where to eat + drink to its humble beginnings, we’re sharing all there is to know about the Ashland Park and Chevy Chase neighborhoods.
May 13, 2025
 · 
Molly Thompson
Two plates with burgers and cheese covered fries next to two milkshakes
Food
Where would you film an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in Lexington?
Here are the greasy spoons, late night diners, and fried food favorites we think Guy Fieri should spotlight the next time he’s in the Horse Capital of the World.
May 12, 2025
 · 
Molly Wilson
Purple Coneflower Lexington Official Flower
Travel and Outdoors
LEX make that garden grow
We’ve got a round-up (no pun intended) of everything you need to know to grow a garden in the Horse Capital of the World.
May 9, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
The Lexington Philharmonic and Lexington Singers performing onstage together under purple lights.
Music
Lexington Philharmonic releases 2025-2026 season
The Lexington Philharmonic returns to the performance stage with a season of world premieres, local collaborators, and worldwide musicians.
May 8, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
An outside shot of the Kentucky Theatre at night in Lexington KY
Summer Classics return to the Kentucky Theatre
Enjoy discounted tickets at this annual movie festival featuring family friendly animation, film noir, blockbusters, and other summer classics.
May 6, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
A windowed storefront with the name "Institute 193" painted on the window. It is a gallery, with several paintings hanging on the wall.
Small Business Week has arrived in LEX
Join us at LEXtoday in celebrating small businesses from Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10.
May 2, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
The facade of Rupp Arena.
Play
Give these Lexington live music venues a listen
We’ve made a concert-ed effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
May 1, 2025
 · 
Aayat Ali
Horses + jockeys racing on a turf track
Culture
Kentucky Derby events around Lexington
How to celebrate the run for the roses in Lexington.
April 29, 2025
 · 
Aayat Ali
An intersection with cones going down the middle and detour signs, construction machinery, and piles of rocks.
City
2026 LFUCG budget spotlight: Complete Streets
If approved by council, funding for the Complete Streets program would cover infrastructure upgrades and construction, plus safety and awareness.
April 22, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
earth-day.jpg
Volunteer
Celebrate Earth Day in Lexington
Dig into our guide for investing in our planet via local, national, and global Earth Day initiatives.
April 21, 2025
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
A view of the Legends Field from the center field.
Sports
Play ball: Lexington Legends 2025 season preview
Learn all about the return of the Lexington Legends for their 2025 season, beginning with a pre-season exhibition on Tuesday, April 22.
April 18, 2025
 · 
Molly Thompson
A few gifts overlaid on a patchwork background, including a Carharrt lunch box and a jewelry dish.
Sponsored
What to buy for parents: Your 2025 gift guide for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Including Oprah’s favorite eye mask and a No. 1 best-selling beard trimmer.
Sponsored by
Mayor Linda Gorton State of the City 2025.jpeg
Mayor Gorton submits LEX’s 2026 budget for approval
Lexington’s latest budget has improvements planned for parks, emergency vehicles, snow preparedness, and solar studies.
April 16, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
A computer-generated image of The Railyard, a new development with both retail and residential space.
Real Estate
The Railyard: bringing mixed-use space to Delaware Avenue
The former industrial site will become a center of housing, retail, and employment known as The Railyard.
April 15, 2025
 · 
Samuel Collins Hicks
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