Bites of the Bluegrass

01/21/2025

How did a food tour in Montreal inspire a thriving business in Lexington? 🍽️ Erin Goins, founder of Bites of the Bluegrass, shares how her passion for food and history led to creating Lexington’s most engaging tours. From the Downtown Walking Tour to bourbon-filled adventures, each experience uncovers the city’s hidden gems while supporting local businesses. Tune into this episode of Small Business Bestie to hear Erin’s journey and discover how you can explore Lexington like never before! 🐎✨

Check out Erin's Socials Here!
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/erin.goins.14/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/walkthedress/
Visit Lex- https://www.visitlex.com/guides/post/erins-guide-to-lexington/

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01/20/2025

Born in Owensboro, KY, Moneta Sleet Jr. was not just a brilliant photographer, but a pivotal figure in chronicling the African American experience. Sleet studied photography and graduated cm laude from Kentucky State University before earning a master’s degree in journalism from New York University.

In 1955, Sleet took a job with Ebony magazine where he would capture photos of nearly every black celebrity over the next 41 years. He caught the attention of civil rights leaders and travelled alongside Martin Luther King Jr. for 13 years, with historical moments like MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial, the march from Selma to Montgomery, and the Montgomery bus boycott.

Sadly, that would include the powerful image of King’s grieving widow. When Coretta Scott King found out that no African American photographers had been assigned to cover her husband’s funeral service, she threatened to bar all photographers unless Sleet was part of the press pool. Sleet’s photo of King’s dignified widow clutching his youngest daughter, Bernice, made Moneta Sleet the first African American man to win a Pulitzer Prize (Gwedolyn Brooks had won for poetry in 1950) and the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism.

01/19/2025

On March 5, 1964, thousands of Kentuckians joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, and other civil rights leaders for a historic march on Frankfort. Together, they gathered to demand an end to segregation and the passage of a statewide civil rights law.

The march drew over 10,000 people, a powerful statement in a time when the fight for equality often met fierce resistance. Dr. King delivered an inspiring speech on the steps of the Capitol, reminding the crowd of the importance of unity and perseverance in the struggle for justice.

This moment in Kentucky’s history was part of a larger movement that changed the course of the nation, and it’s a reminder that progress comes when communities come together with courage and conviction.

01/16/2025

January 16, 1920: The Day America Went Dry

Today marks the anniversary of Prohibition officially going into effect—a law that changed the course of American history. But here in Lexington, the story gets even more fascinating with the rise of the city’s “bootleg kings.”

Before Prohibition, Isaac “Ike” Miller and Lawrence Piercy led law-abiding lives. Miller, a farmer in Cardinal Valley, was known for his hospitality, while Piercy was a local celebrity patrolman posing with his Indian Motorcycle. But after the Volstead Act passed in 1919, these two became some of the most flagrant violators of Prohibition laws in the state.

Miller turned his farm into a “blind pig” supply depot for local bootleggers and modified his Chandler Tour Car to smuggle whiskey in burlap flour sacks. His escapades included car chases, raids, and a mysterious headline: “Who Shot Ike Miller?” After countless violations, he ended up in an Atlanta penitentiary, passing away shortly after his release.

Piercy, meanwhile, formed a gang of “whiskey bandits” who staged raids on distillery warehouses, stole cars loaded with whiskey, and even kidnapped victims. His criminal spree ended with a 15-year sentence after a kidnapping and shooting in Madison County. Police later revealed Piercy was the prime suspect in Miller’s shooting.

Lexington’s law enforcement fought hard against the illegal trade, sometimes paying the ultimate price. Officer JJ Estes was killed in 1927 while chasing a bootlegger, his name now memorialized near the central library.

Prohibition wasn’t just a ban—it was a spark that ignited bold rebellion and unforgettable tales. Raise a (legal) glass today to the wild history of the Bluegrass! 🥃

01/07/2025

🎉 Lexington is turning 250 this year, and the celebration is kicking off with a focus on wellness ! Today, we honor Dr. Mary E. Britton, the first African American female physician in Kentucky and a trailblazer in health, equity, and justice.

Born in 1855 in Lexington’s Gratz Park neighborhood, Mary Britton attended Berea College before studying medicine at the American Medical Missionary College in Michigan. A Seventh-Day Adventist, she specialized in hydrotherapy and holistic medicine, practicing out of her home on North Limestone, which still stands today.

Dr. Britton was also an outspoken suffragist, journalist, and civil rights leader, founding the Colored Orphan Industrial Home and advocating for working mothers. She made history both in medicine and as a leader in her community, leaving a legacy that still inspires.

01/03/2025

A spirited hotel in Lexington Kentucky's historic distillery district boasting 124 rooms.

12/23/2024

As the holiday season rolls around, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and looking forward to all that’s to come in the new one. As a travel editor and list enthusiast, this often involves

12/22/2024

❄️ Cold weather? No problem! Our food tours are just as fun in the crisp winter air. There’s something magical about hopping from place to place, warmed by new friends, hearty laughs, and incredible dishes waiting at every stop.

🍴 Take this Irish bread pudding with Bailey’s custard from —pure cozy perfection. And don’t worry, we’re only outside for 10 minutes at a time, so you’ll stay toasty while soaking in the charm of Lexington.

Join us for a winter food adventure like no other! 🌟

12/21/2024

🎄✨ Meet Kyla Collins of Sissy Cooks It Up – A Cookie Queen ✨🎄

If you don’t know Kyla yet, let me introduce you to one of Lexington’s most talented cookiers. And, her cookie talent is just the beginning!

We met Kyla years ago when our kids were little and hit the jackpot. She was a real-life Mary Poppins with us for 4 years, sprinkling magic all over their childhoods. Her creativity knows no bounds—whether it was crafting custom Harry Potter capes with heartfelt inscriptions, stuffed animals from a favorite book that couldn’t be bought from a shelf, or bringing their wildest toy ideas to life (think baby doll bunk beds with custom bedding or felt food restaurants better than TV shows could dream up).

Now, she’s channeling that endless creativity into cookies that are more than delicious—they tell stories, make people feel seen, and capture moments in edible art. 🎨🍪

Kyla’s cookies have made it to some of the biggest names around (Lizzo even shared her custom set on social media!) because she has a way of making each creation extra meaningful. So, it’s no surprise that Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge wanted her on the show! She stepped way out of her comfort zone to compete, and we couldn’t be more proud of this talented Lexington gal. 🌟

🎥 Stream the show and cheer on Kyla as she brings her signature magic to TV! You’ll fall in love with her cookies and her heart (and also, buy her cookies)💙

12/13/2024

12/13/2024

12/09/2024

Our wonderful city just keeps getting more and more attention … and it’s well deserved! Recently, Southern Living recognized Lexington as a top place to visit in the South. And, US News & World Report released its Best Places to Live listing, with Lexington ranking 15th best in the nation! As we continue to see growth and new visitors coming to our city, our focus is on keeping Lexington a great place to live, work and play.

12/08/2024

✨ Got something special in mind? We’ll bring it to life! ✨

For Monica’s birthday, she wanted a celebration as bold and inspiring as she is. So, we curated a Leading Ladies of Lexington tour, spotlighting the city’s incredible women’s history while supporting women-owned restaurants along the way. 💃🍴

Whether it’s a custom tour, private event, or unforgettable experience, we’re here to make it happen. Tell us your vision, and we’ll create something truly unique. 🎉

12/05/2024

🎄✨ Join our friends at , Friday December 6th, from 4-7 PM for a holiday market you won’t want to miss! ✨🎄

🎩 Make an appointment with to create your dream custom hat.
🎨 Pick up a hand-painted ornament from the talented and have it personalized for the perfect keepsake!

Just in time for the holidays, this is your chance to find gifts with meaning—and maybe even something special for yourself. 🎁

I adore sentimental ornaments, and looking at my hand-painted Saxony Farm ornament from last year brings back the warmth and joy of the season and that beautiful Kentucky farm. If you’re like me, you’ll treasure these unique pieces for years to come!

📍 Saxony Farm
🕓 4–7 PM
📅 December 6th

12/04/2024

🎄✨ Kentucky + Christmas ✨🎄

These photos may look very different, but they all share a common thread: a connection to Kentucky and Christmastime.

Join us on a walking food & history tour that celebrates the holidays with great food, fascinating stories, and the pride of calling Kentucky home. It’s the perfect way to:
🎅 Make memories with loved ones.
🍽 Treat out-of-town guests to a unique holiday experience.
❤️ Feel that special sense of home for the holidays.

✨ Great food, good company, and a festive stroll—bundle up and let’s make this season magical.

12/03/2024