January 27, 2015 Louisville, KY. This year’s Great Bed Races moves into high gear with Thorntons as the new title sponsor. Set for Monday, April 27, at Broadbent Arena, more than 40 teams are expected to race their decorated beds on wheels around the figure-eight course. Team registration is now open online at www.kdf.org.
“Thorntons is proud to once again be a partner of the Kentucky Derby Festival,” said Jeff Keune, Chief Marketing Officer of Thorntons, Inc. “The Great Bed Races and Marathon/minimarathon are a great fit for Thorntons because they highlight the fun and activity of Festival season. We love working with KDF because their events have all of Louisville travelling from place to place to join in the fun and Thorntons is people’s favorite place to stop when they are on the go. We invite everyone to stop by Thorntons to get all of your game day supplies for tailgating at the Bed Races and throughout the Derby season!”
In addition to the Great Bed Races, Thorntons will also be the Official Coffee of the Kentucky Derby Festival, which they will be sampling at the Marathon/miniMarathon Race Expo and in the Runners Reunite area at the finish line of the road races. Thorntons has also been a supporter of the Pegasus Pin Program since 2010, selling Pegasus Pins at their locations.
The races feature two 600-feet divisions – the Fun Division and the Champions Division. Teams also compete for prizes for fastest times and most outrageous costumes and decorations.
“Sports fans know Thorntons gets you to the game, so this year the theme of the Great Bed Races is ‘Ultimate Game Day’,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO. “Teams always get creative with their bed decorations. This year, the beds could reflect anything from favorite sports teams to preparing for game day and planning a tailgate party, as well as other favorite games like Candy Crush or even Monopoly. “
The dormitory area will be staged outside Broadbent Arena and will open at 11:30 a.m. for participant tailgating and a complete fun-filled day. The participating teams will have an opportunity to showcase their costumes and bed in a pre-race parade around the racing surface, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The first heat begins at 7 p.m. Admission is a 2015 Pegasus Pin. Contributing sponsors are: AAA East Central, with Media Partner: 107.7 The Eagle. Broadcast special on WAVE 3 TV.
About Thorntons Inc.: Founded by Kentucky native James H. Thornton in 1971, Thorntons Inc. is one of the leading independent gasoline and convenience chain retailers in the U.S., currently operating throughout the Midwest under the brand name Thorntons. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Thorntons operates 180 gasoline and convenience stores, car washes and travel plazas in six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida. Thorntons distributes its petroleum products through its wholly owned Thornton Transportation Company and operates a river bulk storage terminal in Louisville. For more information visit www.thorntonsinc.com and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thorntonsinc and Twitter at www.twitter.com/thorntonsinc.
About Kentucky Derby Festival: Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
