MEIJER TO SPONSOR THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE

2007-02-01T10:20:48

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that Meijer is the newest sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies and the largest annual fireworks show in the United States. Meijer, a Michigan-based retail and grocery supercenter, has been a Derby Festival sponsor since 2004, when it took title sponsorship of the Meijer Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon.

“Obviously, with our previous involvement on the road races, we have enjoyed a great relationship with the Kentucky Derby Festival,” said Frank Curnutte, Kentucky Market Director for Meijer. “We look forward to sponsoring such a major event as Thunder Over Louisville. It’s a great opportunity for us and the entire Meijer family.”

Meijer has committed to a three-year agreement to sponsor Thunder Over Louisville through the 2009 event. The family-owned company was founded in 1934 and now has 176 stores throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky. Meijer employs more than 62,000 team members.

“We’re thrilled that Meijer has committed to be a major sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “The growth and success of the Meijer Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon demonstrates Meijer’s commitment to supporting the community and the entire region. We are very grateful for this extension of their sponsorship of the largest single-day event in the Southeast.”

Thunder Over Louisville - the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies - is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2007 Thunder Over Louisville, themed “The Magic of Thunder,” is set for Saturday, April 21 and will be the  will be the 18th annual production. The show is sponsored by Caesars Indiana, E.ON U.S., meijer and UPS. 

The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two-week period and has a local economic impact of more than $93 million. Thunder alone contributes $31 million of that estimate to both sides of the Ohio River.