Jason Isbell, lots of festivals and T-rex costume races: Lexington’s best weekend events

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Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events and happenings around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need fun things to do including local festivals, fairs, ,live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, University of Kentucky games,foodie events, art shows, classical music performances family-friendly events and more including T-rex costume races at the Red Mile.

Vintage Market Days at the Kentucky Horse Park

Vintage Market Days will host a “Fall In The Bluegrass” themed flea market at the Kentucky Horse Park on Sept. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sept. 8 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $11.26-$16.40. 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. VintageMarketDays.com.

Festival of the Horse in downtown Georgetown

Celebrate Central Kentucky’s horse culture and history when the Festival Of The Horse returns to the streets of downtown Georgetown for the 43rd time Sept. 6-8. There will be parades, live music, craft vendors, food, beer, a chili cook-off, a celebration of horse heritage and more. 100 E Main St, Georgetown. FestivalOfTheHorse.org.

Roots & Heritage Festival on Elm Tree Lane

The annual Lexington Roots & Heritage Festival will bring a parade, live music, vendors, kids activities and more to the city’s east end along Elm Tree Lane from Sept. 6-8. facebook.com/RootsFestKY.

UK Volleyball at Memorial Coliseum

The UK volleyball team will square off against the Penn State Nittany Lions (Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. on SEC Network), the James Madison Dukes (Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.) and the Ball State Cardinals (Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.) this weekend at Memorial Coliseum. Free (JMU)-$15. Avenue of Champions. UKAthletics.com.

Spirit Strolls at Shaker Village

Take a lantern-lit walk through the cemetery at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill with stops for epic tales along the way when Spirit Strolls return to the site on Sept. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. $10-$15. 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg. ShakerVillageKy.org.

UK Men’s Soccer vs. Wisconsin at the Bell Soccer Complex

The UK men’s soccer team will go up against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Bell Soccer Complex on Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. $7-$10 or free for children five and under. 556 Wildcat Ct. UKAthletics.com.

Jason Isbell Concert at Rupp Arena

Southern storyteller Jason Isbell, who last month performed at the Democratic National Convention and in 2023 made his major on-screen acting debut in “Killers Of The Flower Moon,” will perform in concert at Rupp Arena with support from Alejandro Escovedo on Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit from $53. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com.

He’s played Lexington for 30 years. Now he’s opening for Jason Isbell at Rupp.

Burl County Fair

The second annual Burl County Fair will bring carnival games, face painters, live music from the likes of Keller Williams, Cole Chaney and Kelsey Waldon, and more to the sprawling Distillery District complex on Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. From $15. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Waveland Art Fair at Waveland State Historic Site

The 10th annual Waveland Art Fair will commence at Waveland State Historic Site on Sept. 7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sept. 8 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 with children 12 and under free. 225 Waveland Museum Ln. facebook.com/events/1014451449845840.

St. Andrew Heritage Festival at St. Andrew Orthodox Church

Enjoy traditional Middle Eastern and Slavic food, music, dancing and more during the annual Heritage Festival at St. Andrew Orthodox Church on Sept. 7 from 12-8 p.m. and Sept. 8 from 12-5 p.m. 1136 Higbee Mill Rd. StAndrewLexington.org.

Pasta Making & Wine Class at Harkness Edwards Vineyards

Harkness Edwards Vineyards will host a pasta making and wine class with Sweet and Sassy Ashley’s on Sept. 7 from 3-4:30 p.m. $57. 5199 Combs Ferry Rd, Winchester. Facebook.com/events/1163957514957676.

UK Football vs. South Carolina at Kroger Field

Mark Stoops and the UK football team will open SEC play against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kroger Field on Sept. 7 at 3:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC. From $58. 1540 University Dr. UKAthletics.com.

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Symphonic Stroll at Josephine Sculpture Park

The fourth annual Symphonic Stroll, an immersive and collaborative performance between the Lexington Philharmonic and Lexington Ballet Company around the Josephine Sculpture Park, will take place on Sept. 7 from 4-8 p.m. $11-$25 or free for children 10 and under. 3355 Lawrenceburg Rd, Frankfort. LexPhil.org.

Roller Derby Double Header at the Central Bank Center

The Roller Derby of Central Kentucky will face off against Charlotte at the Central Bank Center on Sept. 7 at 5 and 7 p.m. The event also includes a partnership with ScareFest where attendees are encouraged to show up in costume for a chance to win prizes along with other horror themed hijinks. $10-$15. 430 W Vine St. CentralBankCenter.com.

Swiftie Sing Along at Moondance Amphitheater

Join other Taylor Swift fans for a night of group singing, friendship bracelets and memories during a Swiftie Sing Along at Moondance Amphitheater on Sept. 7 from 6-9 p.m. $5. 1152 Monarch St. LexingtonKy.gov.

‘From Paris To Paris’ Opening Reception at the Paris Photo Gallery

Less than a month removed from the Summer Olympics in Paris, France, photography from the event by some of the world’s best will be on display in a new exhibit, “From Paris To Paris,” at the Paris Photo Gallery from Sept. 7 through Nov. 24. An opening reception will take place on Sept. 7 from 6-9 p.m. featuring several of the photographers featured on site, light refreshments and more. Free. 723 Main St, Paris. ParisPhotoGalleryKy.com.

Creek Clean-Up in the Distillery District

The 2nd Annual Goodfellas Pizzeria Creek Clean in partnership with Keep Lexington Beautiful, Ethereal Brewing, Wise Bird Cider Co., and Barrel House Distilling, will take place in the Distillery District on Sept. 8 from 1-3 p.m. Free. 1170 Manchester St. Facebook.com/events/848732994029731.

UK Women’s Soccer vs. UCLA at the Bell Soccer Complex

The UK women’s soccer team will take the pitch against the UCLA Bruins at the Bell Soccer Complex on Sept. 8 at 12 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPNU. $7-$10 or free for children five and under. 556 Wildcat Ct. UKAthletics.com.

La’Shelle Allen Concert at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

Grammy Award winning blues and jazz musician La’Shelle Allen will perform at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate on Sept. 8 from 3-4:30 p.m. 120 Sycamore Rd. HenryClay.org.

Lexington SC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC at Lexington SC Stadium

The Lexington Sporting Club’s USL Super League women’s team will hit the pitch for its second match of the season — and the first at its new hometown stadium — against the Tampa Bay Sun FC on Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. From $20. 200 Shrives Dr. LexSporting.com.

T-Rex Races at The Red Mile

Suit up in your finest T-rex costumes, slip your track shoes on and get ready to race over to the Red Mile for T-rex races benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of the Bluegrass on Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. $30 to race (costumes required). 1200 Red Mile Rd. RedMileKy.com.

India Day at Moondance Amphitheater

The Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society (BIACS), in partnership with LexArts, will host India Day from 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St. The free event will have food, dance, face painting henna art cooking demonstrations games and more celebrating the culture of India. biacs.org

Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .