THUNDER INTO LOUISVILLE SET TO RUMBLE TOMORROW
2005-11-04T08:54:23
WDRB to produce third annual event on Nov. 5
The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that WDRB TV will produce the third annual "Thunder into Louisville Poker Run" - a motorcycle rally on Nov. 5 to raise funds for the 2006 Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies. The Derby Festival is also pleased to welcome a NEW sponsor for the Poker Run - Bluegrass Harley-Davidson. Caesars Indiana, FOX41 and Jack Daniel's return as sponsors of the event.
The motorcycle "Poker Run," which will include six stops, will begin at the Bluegrass Harley-Davidson dealership at I-64 and Blankenbaker Parkway. The stops this year include Just Trucks/Suzuki (Sam Swope), S & S PowerSports, Shooters Supply, Covenant Industries, Fargo Trucks, Jack Daniel's at FOX 41 and Caesars Indiana.
"Thunder into Louisville just gets more fun as the number of riders grows each year. It grew by 50% from its first to second year and we expect it to grow another 25% this year. If the weather cooperates we should have well over 1000 people riding in this thing," said WDRB General Manager Bill Lamb. "I can't wait to ride in it myself. It's just too bad I'm not eligible to win the poker hand! At $1,750, it's one of the biggest poker run jackpots anywhere. It's all fun and it's all to benefit the incredible Kentucky Derby Festival."
More than 750 entrants participated in the 2004 fall Poker Run. The event, along with the raffle of a Harley Davidson, raised nearly $20,000 for the 2005 Derby Festival Opening Ceremonies.
Thunder into Louisville Poker Run and Motorcycle Rally
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 5 (rain date Nov. 6)
- Cost: $15 for a single rider and $30 for a tandem
- Includes: Limited edition metal Thunder Into Louisville pin and one Poker Hand per entry. Caesars Indiana will provide entertainment and a special gift.
- Registration: 9 - 9:45 AM on Saturday, Nov. 5, or in advance at the Kentucky Derby Festival, Bluegrass Harley-Davidson, or FOX41 WDRB TV.
- Prizes: $1750 purse for top three "best hands" in the Poker Run (First Place - $1000, Second - $500, Third - $250). Disc jockeys from WSFR 107.7 FM and WDRB talent will give away prizes from rally sponsors.
For more details about the poker run, go to www.derbyfestival.org or pick up a brochure at Bluegrass Harley- Davidson. Rally sponsors include: Bluegrass Harley-Davidson, Caesars Indiana, Covenant Industries, Fargo Trucks, FOX 41 WDRB-TV, Jack Daniel's, Just Trucks/Suzuki (Sam Swope), S&S PowerSports, Shooters Supply. WSFR 107.7 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 2005 Thunder Over Louisville, themed "Thunder Rocks," entertained around 300,000 people with a daylong air show and nighttime fireworks. The show was sponsored by Caesars Indiana, Chase, Ford Motor Company, and UPS. The 2006 show is scheduled for Saturday, April 22 and will be the seventeenth annual production. For more information on the Derby Festival's Thunder Funder Program, call the Festival Office at (502) 584-6383 for a brochure.
