SOUTHERN INDIANA BUSINESSES SHOW SUPPORT FOR THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE

2004-03-23T09:59:40

Businesses in Southern Indiana presented the Kentucky Derby Festival with nearly $20,000 at a press conference today at the Southern Indiana Visitors Center in Jeffersonville.  The press conference was held to recognize “Sunny Side” Thunder Funders – businesses that are supporting the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville.  The money donated will go directly into the production of the Saturday, April 17th show.

Jim Keith, Executive Director of the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau, presented a check to Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry on behalf of the Convention & Tourism Bureau and the following “Sunny Side” Thunder Funders: Buckhead Mountain Grill, Caesars Indiana (also a presenting sponsor), John Jones GM City, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse/Bob Trinkle, KingFish, Rocky’s Italian Grill, Schimpff’s Confectionary, and Warren Campbell.

“We are happy to make this unique opportunity available to Southern Indiana businesses and collectively show our support to the Kentucky Derby Festival for Thunder,” said Keith.

Berry said the Derby Festival needs as much support as possible to stage Thunder, which will be held on Saturday, April 17, with the Air Show beginning at 3 PM and the fireworks at 9:30.

“We are very grateful for the Southern Indiana businesses and individuals that have stepped forward to help sponsor the largest single-day event in the Southeast,” said Berry.   “It just demonstrates that you don’t have to be a large corporation to help support this treasured community event.  For as little as $100, you can help produce Thunder”.

Continued Berry, “It’s not too late! Businesses and individuals can do their part by joining the Festival’s Thunder Funder Program. The program is an avenue the Derby Festival has created to help support a one-day event that provides an economic impact in excess of $31 million. Thunder Funder packages are still available by calling the Derby Festival Office at (502) 584-6383.  And viewing opportunities are also available starting at $600.”

The presenting sponsors of Thunder are:
Caesars Indiana, Ford Motor Company and UPS.

“Make no mistake,” said Berry.  “Our three presenting sponsors are true saviors of Thunder Over Louisville.  They have stayed with us since the 2000 show. And every penny that we can raise will go right into this great event.”

Thunder Over Louisville - the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies - is one of the more than seventy events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 325 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.  This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.