Since its origins in 1989 as a small neighborhood street fair, the Roots & Heritage Festival has grown to the status of a major, highly popular cultural event which literally attracts thousands of festival-goers from across the state and beyond.

The colorful pageantry of the festival, combined with its high quality offerings of cultural/educational programs, has earned it recognition as one of Kentucky’s Top Ten Festivals to attend by the Kentucky Tourism Council.

Roots & Heritage Festival events take place throughout the month of September and consist of a wide variety of exciting, culturally enriching activities. The calendar includes art exhibits, literary readings, midnight basketball, a golf tournament, film presentations, children’s programming, theater, a comedy night, a health fair and ball, a nationally renowned speaker, and the ever popular two-day street festival.

As the centerpiece of the Roots & Heritage Festival, the two-day street festival recaptures the powerful spirit of Lexington’s African American cultural history. Set along historic Elm Tree Lane, the three-day street festival kicks off with a high-stepping parade and continues throughout the afternoon and evening. With its fascinating African Marketplace, children’s programs, and two stages of high quality entertainment, the street festival presents the best in African American cultural expression.

STAGE I, the main stage for live performances, has featured many internationally renowned artists, including author Alex Haley, jazz great Les McCann, blues giants Little Milton, Trudy Lynn, the late Johnny Copeland, as well as R&B favorites Jerry Butler, the Delfonics, the Manhattans, Bobby Womack, Jeffrey Osborne and Freddie Jackson.

Howard Hewitt, Miki Howard, and Zapp have been part of the celebration on Stage I during the street festival. Legendary rhythm & blues vocalists, Bobby "Blue" Bland has also performed at the Stage I Jazzy Blues Night.