THUNDER INTO LOUISVILLE RETURNS WITH A ROAR
2004-09-15T18:48:15
WDRB to produce fund-raising event on Oct. 9
The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that WDRB TV will once again produce “Thunder Into Louisville” – a motorcycle rally on Oct. 9 to raise funds for the 2005 Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies. The motorcycle “Poker Run,” which will include five stops, will begin at the Louisville Harley Davidson dealership at 1700 Arthur Street and end at Caesars Indiana.
The inaugural event last November was a huge success. More than 500 entrants participated. The event raised an estimated $10,000. In conjunction with the motorcycle run, additional funds were also raised with the raffle of a one-of-a-kind Harley Davidson Sportster with a customized “Maker’s Mark paint job.” The raffle tickets were $10 each and helped raise more than $20,000. In all, more than $30,000 was raised for the 2004 Thunder Over Louisville air show and fireworks extravaganza.
“Thunder Over Louisville is a true community treasure and FOX 41’s event, Thunder Into Louisville is our way of helping to make sure we have Thunder for many years to come,” said WDRB General Manager Bill Lamb. “It will be a great motorcycle run with an awesome ending thanks to Caesars Indiana. They’re giving our group an entire deck of the casino boat for our post-ride party and they’re bringing in Blue Oyster Cult. I’m really excited about this year’s event.”
Thunder Into Louisville Poker Run and Motorcycle Rally
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 9 (rain date Oct. 16)
- Cost: $15 for a single rider and $30 for a tandem
- Includes: Limited edition metal Thunder Into Louisville lapel pin, 1 (one) Poker Hand per entry, 1 (one) $10 Caesars Indiana Connection Card, and Discount tickets to the Blue Oyster Cult concert at Caesars Indiana
- Registration: 9 – 9:45 AM on Sat. Oct. 9, or in advance at the Kentucky Derby Festival or Louisville Harley Davidson
- Prizes: $1500 purse (First Place - $750, Second - $500, Third - $250) and prize drawings from sponsors will be awarded at the rally’s finish party at Caesars Indiana.
For more details about the poker run, go to www.derbyfestival.org or pick up a brochure at Louisville Harley Davidson. Rally sponsors are: Louisville Harley Davidson, Caesars Indiana, Sam Swope Auto Group, Dairy Queen and S & S Power Sports. WLRS 105.1 FM will provide race day updates and remote broadcasts.
The motorcycle rally will coincide 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.
