LEXINGTON, Ky. — One of Lexington’s oldest cultural festivals returned for its 34th year this weekend in downtown Lexington.
The Roots and Heritage Festival celebrates African-American culture with food, vendors and performances from Friday through Sunday afternoon. Entreprenuer Isaac Edmonds was one of many vendors at this weekend’s Roots and Heritage Festival in Lexington.
“There’s been a ton of vendors and a ton of people have come out, and it’s been a blessing to have people come through and see what they can order on live," Edmonds said.
It’s the first time Edmonds is selling his athletic wear, Collective Conception. He started it just this year after his nieces were bullied at school. It’s clothing with a positive message.
“They were basically making fun of her because of her skin color and for me it’s like the world needs more unity. We need to be more unified as a whole," Edmonds said.
It’s a similar message volunteers who put on the Roots and Heritage Festival promote.
“It’s an opportunity for one part of the community in Lexington to showcase us and our history for all of Lexington," said Cheryl James, co-chair of hospitality for the festival.
James said it takes place on Elm Tree Lane and Third Street, a historically important Black neighborhood near the Lyric Theater.
“That’s where nationally recognized artists could come and perform and people who looked like those artists could go see them. When the artists performed in other venues, a lot of times people that looked like them weren’t able to enter those venues," James said.
James said the neighborhood was also home to many Black professors, lawyers and doctors. She said the festival brings up to 10,000 people out.
Work began Thursday to get everything set up, but despite the three long days, James said she looks forward to it every year.
“It is a labor of love," James said. "This operation happens from the efforts of volunteers, it is all volunteers."
From food, music and clothing, there’s something for everyone. Edmonds said it’s been a great way to promote his business and message.
“It’ll be a yearly thing, definitely be a yearly thing. I want to come here as much as I can out here with my people and bring a positive light," Edmonds said.
The festival culminated Sunday with a gospel performance at the historic Lyric Theater.
The festival also features a parade on Saturday during the event. It has many participants including marching bands from Lexington and Louisville.
Roots and Heritage Festival takes place every second weekend in September.