LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Derby Museum is excited to announce Churchill Downs Racetrack as a supporting partner for the upcoming 30th Anniversary Kentucky Derby Museum Gala. This year the Museum’s signature fundraising event to kick off Kentucky Derby season will be held on Friday, April 29, 2016.
“We are thrilled to partner with Churchill Downs Racetrack for Kentucky Derby Museum’s milestone celebration,” Kentucky Derby Museum President Patrick Armstrong said. “As we mark 30 years of our marquee event, this partnership will truly elevate the Gala experience to the pinnacle of elegance.”
A featured element of the partnership with Churchill Downs Racetrack allows the Kentucky Derby Museum to kick off the 30th anniversary Kentucky Derby Museum Gala celebration with a grand cocktail party in the racetrack’s exclusive venue, The Mansion. The black-tie event will then continue at the Kentucky Derby Museum with dinner and dancing.
“The Mansion is an important addition to the experience and tradition of the Kentucky Derby, and we’re very pleased to provide guests of the 30th anniversary Kentucky Derby Museum Gala an opportunity to enjoy this special venue,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “The cocktail reception in The Mansion will be a wonderful start to the celebration of three decades of the Derby-time celebration that benefits the work of this important institution in our community and region.”
The Downtown Band, from Nashville, Tennessee, will provide live music as attendees dance the night away in The Great Hall of the Museum. Members of the band have performed in over 40 countries and for celebrities including Steve Forbes, Lionel Richie, David Letterman, Carrie Underwood, Jay Leno, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman. (Listen to The Downtown Band here.)
Rhonda Jo Conner is the 2016 Kentucky Derby Museum Gala Chair. She also serves on the Kentucky Derby Museum Board of Directors.
“My fellow Gala Committee members and I are thrilled and honored to take part in what has become not only a Kentucky tradition but “the event” not to miss as we kick off Derby week,” 2016 Gala Chair Rhonda Jo Conner said. “What a wonderful way to cap off an unbelievable year in Thoroughbred Racing with American Pharoah’s Triple Crown win. We look forward to celebrating our 30th anniversary Gala and Kentucky Derby 142!”
The fundraising efforts of the Gala will benefit the Kentucky Derby Museum’s educational programs. These programs are designed to educate, engage, and excite students in Pre-K through 12th grade with resources related to the equine industry and the Kentucky Derby. In addition to the in-house education programs, the Museum’s traveling Education Outreach bring learning opportunities into schools across the Commonwealth. This month, the education department will hit a major milestone by reaching students in each of Kentucky’s 120 counties with these programs.
To purchase tickets for the 30th Anniversary Kentucky Derby Museum Gala or for more information, contact Erik Brown at [email protected] or 502-992-5903.
The Kentucky Derby Museum would like to thank the members of its 2016 Gala Committee for their hard work and dedication to planning this milestone event. **
**Editor’s note: Photo of the 2016 Gala committee is attached. Pictured (left to right): Elizabeth Remmers, Susan Vogt, Michelle Hertzman, Tricia Murphy, Kathy Oyler, Rhonda Jo Conner (Chair), Kelly Koetter, Missy Varga, Julia Carstanjen, Kathy Cox
Not pictured: Laura Frazier, Linda Jackson, Rashna Carmicle, Rosemary Hocker, Wendy Novak, Cindy Carcione, Kim Staffieri, Kelly O’Daniel, Barbara Sweet, Charlotte Korfhage, Michelle Wheeler
# # #
About Kentucky Derby Museum (DerbyMuseum.org)
Kentucky Derby Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Louisville, Kentucky has a commitment to ENGAGE, EDUCATE and EXCITE everyone about the extraordinary experience that is the KENTUCKY DERBY.
CONTACT:
Lindsay English
Communications Manager
(502) 814-3030
Cell (502) 777-6148
[email protected]