Advancing Kentucky: UK alum Laura Farnsworth strengthens her community by bringing people together

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 22,  2024) — Laura Farnsworth, a 2006 graduate from the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, has been planning events since she was a UK student living in Blanding Tower and serving on the Resident Student Government committee.

It was a hop, skip and a jump from pizza and ice cream night at UK to a college internship with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce to the job she currently holds as director of development and events for the Downtown Lexington Partnership (DLP). Her experience has been built on a foundation of development, fundraising administration and event production.

Farnsworth has been with the DLP for the past 16 years and her enthusiasm for bringing the community together for fun events has not waned.

The DLP is a nonprofit organization that creates a dynamic urban core that enhances Lexington’s appeal as a place to live, work and play. In her role, Farnsworth plans and produces popular downtown events and programs, including Central Bank Thursday Night Live, the annual holiday parade, the ice-skating rink at Triangle Park and the Mayfest Arts Fair in Gratz Park. The DLP also manages more formal, ticketed events, including State of Downtown, an annual update on the health of downtown Lexington, and DLP’s Annual Meeting & Awards of Excellence Celebration.

Farnsworth says her favorite part of her job is the people she meets.

“I see the same people, many dedicated, die-hard people that don’t necessarily live downtown, who come downtown every Thursday night for Thursday Night Live. They’ll drive their car, pay to park, go to dinner, buy a beer at the event, and believe in what they are experiencing. It feels fun, it feels safe, and it really impacts on what I do. It’s good motivation.”

Central Bank Thursday Night Live is a big attraction to downtown Lexington that offers live music, food, beverages and art. The event runs for 28 weeks every year from April through October at the Fifth Third Pavilion in Tandy Park.Thursday Night Live will celebrate 30 years in Lexington next year.

When it comes to collaborating with people, students from her alma mater stand out.

“Overall, hands down, working with UK students every year on the Christmas parade is so fun because there is so much enthusiasm. It’s hard not to get swept up in that. People are an absolute blast and it’s a pleasure to do what I do because of them,” she said.

Farnsworth says people often think her favorite event is Thursday Night Live  and although she recognizes the importance of the event, her favorite event is the Mayfest Arts Fair that happens every year on Mother’s Day weekend.

“I think there’s just something so magical about Gratz Park,” Farnsworth said. “We have about 80 artists, food vendors, free children’s activities and live music, and when you pull all of that together, it’s just magic.

"A lot of multigenerational families come out. I’ve seen children who were coming when I started that are now in college and they’re coming back so that’s really been a cool one for me to mark progress.”

The events Farnsworth plans and brings to reality have a huge impact on the Lexington community that extends far beyond just providing great entertainment. Each event brings together people from all walks of life to experience the rich traditions and culture Lexington has to offer. And the economic impact on downtown businesses cannot be overstated.

“People have a place to come that is free to attend and is fun but all of our downtown event owners are shop keepers, bar owners, restauranteurs, the staff at those restaurants...those Lexingtonians have the added benefit and value of bringing those people into their businesses.”

Some events that Farnsworth plans have caught the attention of some notable people including former President Bill Clinton who stopped by Thursday Night Live in 2016 while out campaigning for his wife Hillary Clinton. She recalls that day as a “very cool moment” in her career but there have been many.

“On a smaller scale but equally as important was the announcement of Lexington’s 250th birthday celebration happening next year,” Farnsworth said. “It’s going to be 12 months of insane, cool programming.”

Farnsworth’s says her motivation every day when she goes to work is creating an environment where people can live and exist.

“A big part of what I do personally and what we do here at DLP is uplift the environment and create this synergy. There are always a lot of events going on in my world and my duties are always changing and evolving but it’s always pointed at that North Star of what we do to uplift our environment.”

What you may not know about Laura Farnsworth

Farnsworth describes herself as an “absolute gym rat” — a seven-day-a-week gym enthusiast who participates in a fitness competition called HYROX, a world-wide competition series that consists of running and eight functional fitness stations. She travels to large cities to participate and says it’s the same thing every time so she is trying to beat her own time and get stronger. Just this past weekend, she set a third personal record at HYROX Chicago. She also used to box and is considering taking up the sport again in the spring.

“I can’t imagine a day without being in a gym. Every day is not perfect but every day is progress.”