07/04/2026
Tonight was a bittersweet night in downtown Lexington. Our annual Freedom Food Festival has always been about celebrating community…neighbors gathering together, sharing a meal, raising a glass, and enjoying everything that makes this town special. Tonight, we did all of those things with much heavier hearts after learning of the passing of our Mayor Frank Friedman.
Frank loved this town. He believed in our downtown, supported small businesses, and genuinely cared about the people who called Lexington home.
Almost every time we’d see each other, he’d send me off with the same words: “I hope your weekend is wild and crazy!” It never failed to make me smile.
As I looked around BRT tonight watching families, friends, visitors, and neighbors fill our streets, I couldn’t help but think that this is exactly the kind of community Frank worked so hard to help build! A place where people come together, and sometimes get wild and crazy!
So tonight, while our weekend may still be wild and crazy, we’re missing one familiar face.
Thank you, Frank, for believing in this town, for believing in small businesses like ours, and for making Lexington a better place. We’ll miss your smile, your kindness, and your unwavering support.
Rest easy, Mr. Mayor. We raise a glass for you tonight.
