BIKERS HELP WITH 2005 THUNDER
2004-10-11T15:36:23
750 riders gather in fundraising effort for Derby Festival event
The second annual Thunder into Louisville motorcycle rally on Saturday, Oct. 9, was a huge success, with about 750 bike riders taking advantage of a perfect fall day to help raise funds for Thunder Over Louisville, the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies. The event, which was produced by FOX 41 WDRB TV, attracted 200 more riders than last year’s inaugural rally.
The motorcycle “Poker Run” featured five stops, beginning at Louisville Harley Davidson and finishing at Caesars Indiana. Participants paid a $15 entry fee and received a special pin in addition to their shot at the $1500 purse.
Poker Run Winners:
- 1st Place ($750) - Robert Hundley of Louisville won the top poker hand with a heart flush, ace high.
- 2nd Place ($500) - David Harned of Cox Creek with a diamond flush, jack high.
- 3rd Place ($250) - Ronnie Atzinger of Louisville with three kings.
In conjunction with the motorcycle run, additional funds for Thunder Over Louisville are also being raised with the raffle of a Harley Davidson FXD DYNA Super Glide motorcycle. The raffle is sponsored by Jack Daniel’s, Louisville Harley Davidson and FOX 41 WDRB TV.
Raffle tickets cost $10 and are available at WDRB TV, the Kentucky Derby Festival Office and Louisville Harley Davidson. The bike will be on display in the near future at the Harley Davidson location at 1700 Arthur Street and also at upcoming events. The drawing will take place at the Derby Festival Chow Wagon on May 6, 2005.
“We couldn’t have ordered better weather and everybody had a great time,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “We’re very grateful to WDRB and Phil Campbell of Louisville Harley Davidson for once again helping to organize this event. It is with corporate support and additional fundraising efforts such as this that helps keep Thunder Over Louisville free to the public.”
Rally sponsors were: Louisville Harley Davidson, Caesars Indiana, Sam Swope Auto Group, Jack Daniel’s, Dairy Queen, S & S Power Sports and Walnut Ridge Pool & Patio. WLRS 105.1 FM provided race day updates and remote broadcasts.
The motorcycle rally coincides with the kick-off of the Derby Festival’s grassroots Thunder Funder Program, which utilizes contributions from local companies and individuals to help raise money for Thunder Over Louisville, the largest single-day event in the region. The 2004 Thunder Over Louisville, themed “A Broadway Thunder,” entertained more than 500,000 people with a daylong air show and nighttime fireworks. The show was sponsored by Caesars Indiana, Ford Motor Company, and UPS. The 2005 show is scheduled for Saturday, April 23 and will be the sixteenth annual production. For more information on the Derby Festival’s Thunder Funder Program, call the Festival Office at (502) 584-6383 for a brochure.
