A free public event. An intimate conversation with celebrated poet, Nikki Finney, in town for our literary celebrations. There will be a short reading of selected works and a Q&A with the audience.

Come experience all the show-stopping tunes you love from Broadway’s biggest hits, including Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Annie, Jersey Boys, The Sound of Music, Chicago, CATS, A Chorus Line and The Lion King performed by some of New York’s top vocalists. It’s the ultimate showtune extravaganza!

Join us for an author talk featuring two Kentucky authors – Wes Blake and Rick Childers! Both authors will discuss their careers, read sections from their books, and answer audience questions.

The Kentucky Great Writer Series features writers with a Kentucky connection who have one or more works of high literary quality. This special 250LEX Edition will feature the current and former Kentucky Poets Laureate of Lexington and be emceed by former Kentucky Poet Laureate Richard Taylor of Frankfort.

A Shark Tank model sponsored by Toyota.

Don’t miss the “250LEX Entrepreneurial Showdown”. High school and undergraduate college entrepreneur teams will compete for cash prizes as they pitch their ideas to five judges. This event is free and open to the public.

A live performance by local Hip Hop artists and an original live art piece that will be started at the 1st library location and continued in the next 2 locations. This program embodies what it means to be a connected and unified community through the love of musical and physical art.

Burn the Mic is a vibrant platform amplifying the voices and creativity of writers and spoken word artists in the heart of Kentucky. This dynamic series provides a welcoming space for poets, storytellers, and wordsmiths to share their narratives, fostering a sense of community and celebration. The Carnegie Center is a recipient of a 250LEX Community Grant, supporting several new and expanded literary programs.

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and musician Tyler Childers will perform “On The Road” in the University of Kentucky‘s Kroger Field in Lexington, KY on  April 19, 2025.

The Lexington show will take place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, with special guest Kentucky icon Wynonna Judd and Kentucky’s own S.B. Goodman. 

Kentucky Writer’s Day is held on the birthday of KY Native, Robert Penn Warren. On this day, Kentucky’s new Poet Laureate is announced.

Tom Eblen, a former Lexington Herald-Leader columnist who now manages the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame, will lead The Lexington Writers Walk at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, which is Kentucky Writers Day. In this historic walking tour around Gratz Park, Eblen will tell stories about the many famous writers and literary figures who lived in this neighborhood and downtown Lexington over the past 250 years. The tour includes a free copy of an illustrated booklet about The Lexington Writers Walk. Meet in Gratz Park behind the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, home of the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame. On display inside the Carnegie Center that evening will be an exhibit of literary broadsides printed by Kentucky’s legendary Larkspur Press.

The Kentucky State Poetry Society invites you to an eclectic and dynamic poetry reading. Members and nonmembers alike, come, mingle, share a poem, and celebrate our literary community, National Poetry Month and Lexington’s 250th anniversary!

We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive sneak peek at FoodChain’s Neighborhood Green Grocery! This community grocery store, located alongside FoodChain’s teaching kitchen and indoor farm, will provide fresh, local and affordable food options—ensuring everyone, no matter their income, has access to high-quality ingredients and prepared meals.
Slated to open in early 2026, you’ll get an early look at the space and learn how this innovative project is tackling food insecurity, supporting local farmers and creating a sustainable, zero-waste shopping experience. Join us on April 29 for a tour, delicious bites and a chance to hear from FoodChain’s team about the impact of this initiative. Space is limited! RSVP by Thursday, April 24.