Annual Christmas Open House larger than ever

There was a bit of hogging the spotlight at Sunday’s annual Christmas Open House in Uptown Lexington when a new pig was unveiled, marking the 20th anniversary of the start of Pigs in the City.

The annual event saw close to 1,000 visitors during the afternoon long event, and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Watkins, who performed the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree in the center, noticed the increase in attendance.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had this many people come out,” he said, smiling. And he noted one more thing: “I believe I’m the first Black person to light the tree, and I take great pride in that,” he said.

The unveiling and tree lighting topped off a day of shopping at local stores and sipping hot chocolate, cider, or wine and nibbling on treats throughout uptown.

The event was started “as a way to help our merchants ahead of Black Friday,” said Uptown Lexington’s Executive Director Travis Stewart. “We wanted something to get people in town to see what our merchants have to offer so when they are ready to go shopping that Friday, they already have us in mind.”

A number of shops were open for the 1 - 6 p.m. event, and most said business was brisk. The shops were all given local peppermint puffs to give out to shoppers from the Red Bird Candy Company and the smell of kettle corn filled the air from West 3rd Avenue up to West 1st Street. Roads were blocked off so people could walk in the roadway, and at about 5:30. DJ Chilly led a growing group of both children and adults in a number of line dances, including the Electric Slide, still popular.

In addition to shopping, visitors could take a horse-drawn carriage ride or a spin on the Christmas train, all sponsored by Uptown Lexington. Even at 5:30 p.m. there was a line half a block long for the rides, and a staff person said tickets had long been sold out, and the last ride would be a six, so those in line were people who had already purchased tickets.

After line dancing, members of the cast of Rudolph, a performance by Lexington Youth Theater, who were in full costume for the event, engaged attendees in Christmas carols. Just prior to lighting the tree, Stewart called attention to a draped figure on the square across from the tree. Members of Uptown Lexington unveiled the newest pig, painted with images of all the original Pigs in the City, which began in 2003. The artwork on the new addition was done by David and April Everhart of Art 101 in Lexington. Stewart then turned the mike over to Watkins, who counted down to the tree lighting, which was met with cheers and applause.

“I am delighted to be here,” said Watkins. “I think this is a wonderful reminder that we are still a small town, still a family in a lot of ways.”

The anniversary pig will reside at the offices of Uptown Lexington, 13 East 1st Avenue.

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