LEXINGTON, Ky. — Bluegrass Community and Technical College hosted a special Navy Week event on Thursday, April 9, providing students and community members with an opportunity to learn about careers and service opportunities in the United States Navy.

The event marked part of Lexington's historic first Navy Week, held April 6-12. The U.S. Navy is in Lexington for the first time, marking its 250th anniversary with concerts, community service and career outreach across the city.

According to the Navy, Navy Week offers free, family-friendly events in cities from coast to coast, and the program connects Americans with the sailors, technology, and missions that keep the nation safe. Navy Weeks bring a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel to a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to connect communities across America with their Navy.

Throughout the week, sailors participate in a wide range of events across Lexington, including Keeneland Spring Meet, community service projects, athletic engagements and live performances. From jazz and R&B performances at the Kentucky Horse Park to service members visiting children at the Lexington Children's Museum, the Navy has brought a series of events to the city.

The 2026 event is particularly significant as it coincides with America's 250th anniversary. In 2026, the Navy Week tour celebrates America's 250th birthday with the "Road Trip to 250" theme, visiting 12 cities — including seven first-time host communities. "Lexington Navy Week is about building lasting connections," said Cmdr. Julie Holland, director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach. "We're not just here to showcase what the Navy does, but to engage directly with the community, inspire future generations, and demonstrate the values of service, teamwork, and leadership."

BCTC is a two-year public institution in Central Kentucky that currently serves approximately 11,400 students across seven campuses. The college also maintains a Military and Veteran Student Services Center that offers on-campus support and provides referrals to tutoring, counseling, disability and career services.