Lexington Local Pulse: Hot Friday, infrastructure updates, BreyerFest, and community volunteers

Good morning, this is Lexington Local Pulse for Friday, July 11, 2025. We wake up today to mostly clear skies and warm air across Lexington. Temperatures are climbing toward a high near 90 degrees by late afternoon, so let's plan for a hot and sunny Friday. Light breezes from the southwest will bring some relief, but keep the sunscreen handy and stay hydrated if you're headed outside. The rest of our weekend looks similarly toasty, with clear mornings and clouds drifting in after noon. Occasional light rain is possible late Saturday, but nothing that should cancel your plans. Turning to city hall, leaders this week discussed ongoing infrastructure repairs along New Circle Road and a new proposal for improved crosswalks near the University of Kentucky campus. They're seeking public input next Tuesday at the downtown council chambers, so neighbors who walk or bike should consider joining that meeting. Lexington is bustling with excitement this weekend, especially at Kentucky Horse Park. BreyerFest returns today through Sunday, celebrating 75 years of Breyer model horses. Over 200 real horses will be on display, with special guests like Olympic equestrian Will Coleman and the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team drawing horse lovers from across the country. There are live music performances, Super Dogs shows, and a bustling artisan market with one-of-a-kind collectibles for the whole family. If you can't make it in person, the festival offers a virtual experience with live broadcasts all weekend. Also at Kentucky Horse Park, the Junior League Charity Horse Show continues today and tomorrow, running from 9 am to 5 pm. This is the largest outdoor Saddlebred show in the world and a Lexington summer tradition. On the real estate front, Gilbane Development just announced the launch of MXWL, a brand new purpose-built student housing complex set to offer 655 beds near the University of Kentucky. The project aims to ease the housing crunch for students and will begin leasing for the upcoming academic year. In job news, companies like Bacardi are paying on average just over $68,000 a year in Kentucky, and there’s new demand for skilled roles like hardware technicians, with hiring continuing this week for several tech and manufacturing positions around town. Lexington schools had reason to celebrate this week. Henry Clay High’s robotics team won regional honors in the state STEM competition, and a Lafayette High School runner broke the city record at last night’s meet—congrats to both teams for making us proud. For new business, downtown saw the debut of Bluegrass Harvest, an urban farm-to-table cafe, on Short Street yesterday, while a longtime favorite, Moon Dance Bakery, closed its doors on High Street after twenty years. Locals are already sharing their favorite memories and pastries. In sports, the Lexington Legends are back in action tonight hosting a weekend series at the ballpark on North Broadway, with first pitch at 7:05. Expect a lively crowd as the This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.