Downtown Lexington comes alive in spring
Spring has sprung in downtown Lexington where a host of happenings have the revitalized heart of the town hopping.
Already underway is the Lexington Medical Center Icehouse Live Concert Series, which is offering free performances from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday night through May 25 at the Icehouse Amphitheater.
“Downtown Lexington has seen unprecedented growth following the opening of the Icehouse Amphitheater which continues to be a driving catalyst for new development on Main Street,” Lexington Mayor Steve MacDougall said.
The outdoor venue is so named as it stands where, in the times prior to home refrigerators, the town’s icehouse operated.
Town Administrator Britt Poole said the Icehouse, which opened in October 2016, came about as part of the city’s vision plan for bringing back the downtown.
“A significant amount of time and effort went into making our downtown a place people want to visit,” Poole said.
With the vision plan in place, Lexington has seen residential and commercial growth downtown, as well as the number of restaurants rising from just two to 18.
The $5 million cost to build the Icehouse was recouped by 2022 in terms of its economic impact, Poole said. One of the top tourist attractions in the Midlands, 300,000 to 350,000 people are coming downtown for Icehouse concerts and events each year, Poole said.
“Whenever there are events at Icehouse, people fill the downtown area and get to experience all that we have to offer,” MacDougall said.
According to Lexington Downtown Promoter Walker Brewer, the Icehouse has been averaging about 100 events each year since 2020.
Along with the spring concert series, Lexington Medical Center is also sponsoring shows Thursday nights in the fall from Aug. 31 through Oct. 5.
The Icehouse hosts touring acts, too, where admission is charged. Heading to town Friday Aug. 18, will be Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry fame.
“And our Farmers Market is off the charts,” Poole said.
This year’s market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from May 20 through Sept. 30, with the exception of July 1.
Artisans selling pottery, jewelry and soap are among the merchants. Seasonal produce typically includes cucumbers, peas, green beans, squash tomatoes and peaches — which South Carolina produces more of than Georgia, Brewer said.
Brewer said the number of vendors setting up at the market has been capped at 40 each week. The market takes part in the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Certified SC program, which promotes the benefits of shopping and eating local, fresh produce.
At the Icehouse this past spring was Lexington’s 12th annual Wine Walk. It featured wines from 30 vendors, food trucks selling pizza, barbecue and southwestern fare and music from Going Commando. Proceeds from the event help to fund the expansion and renovation of Virginia Hylton Park, Brewer said.
That park, named after a noted former town council member, opened in 1991. Hylton led the effort to create the park, which sits behind the Lexington Municipal Complex.
Attractions include a paved walking trail, special needs playground and Twelve Mile Creek with an overlook and waterfall, along with picnic shelters with grills.
A covered stage area can also be reserved for special events. The expansion will more than double its current size and make the park nearly 15 acres.
Already completed downtown is Lexington Square Park. A joint initiative between the town, county, Lexington County Law Enforcement Officers Association, Lexington Beautification Foundation, Lexington County Bar Association and Dennis Corporation, the park features landscaped grounds, a water fountain and the Lexington County Law Enforcement Memorial.
And by the end of the year, the Old Mill Walking Trail should be completed, providing a spot for people to stay active and to access other activities in town.
Town leaders have said the one-mile trail will go around a pond, connect by means of a sidewalk to Gibson Pond Park and Hylton Park and thus lead to other attractions including the Icehouse and a dog park.
“There is no better time than now to be a part of this wonderful and vibrant community,” Mayor MacDougall said. “Come out and visit downtown Lexington. You certainly will be glad that you did.”
To learn more, visit icehouseamphitheater.com, www.lexsc.com, www.facebook.com/TownofLexingtonSC and www.facebook.com/icehouseamphitheater.
