Run for the Rose' 86'd

Do not know if this has been mentioned, heard about it last night, explains why I have not received our entry ballot....was no mention at the KDF meeting last month either ??
Anybody have any other details ?

Alan,

Nothing on the web about it being cancelled, and the KRA site still hypes it as their annual event. It is not, however , on the list of Official Derby Events- I swear it used to be. What did you hear?

As an aside: how the hell is "APASSIONATA "The Beginning": April 27-29, 2012 at Freedom Hall" an "Official Kentucky Derby Event" now? http://kdf.org/events-APASSIONATA-The-Beginning-April-27-29-2012-at-Freedom-Hall.html It's a European theatre show ( albeit with horses). I guess it's just about who pays to be "an event" any more....

Deb

KDF eliminated the Run for the Rose' this year. KRA's Louisville Chapter was a long time sponsor.

[Robin Garr]

KDF eliminated the Run for the Rose' this year. KRA's Louisville Chapter was a long time sponsor.

Did they announce a reason?

Declining attendance was a large factor. It has been our opinion that when it was moved from Slugger Field to the waterfront area it suffered more each year. Slugger Field was the perfect venue for participating and viewing, but did not share concession sales with KDF.

Declining attendance was a large factor. It has been our opinion that when it was moved from Slugger Field to the waterfront area it suffered more each year. Slugger Field was the perfect venue for participating and viewing, but did not share concession sales with KDF.

That's such a shame.

Deb

"There are several reasons that there will not be a Rose' event in 2012, from declining participation, to challenges getting a major/title sponsor due to the involvement of alcohol and challenges covering event expenses.  And, as a KDF Board member, I know the Festival has contacted other groups who would be natural partners on this event, but they have not wanted to take it on. Even if a major sponsor or organization came forward at this point, it would be too late to produce a quality event, but the Festival would love to talk with an interested party for 2013."  

I would think any of the local wineries would be great sponsors or co-sponsors to the event. We used to love to go when it was held on the belvedere years ago. We even took patients from work if I remember correctly.

Bev,

I'm sure the Festival folks tried to reach some of the local wineries. These kind of sponsorships are expensive and hard to justify for a small local business with smaller revenues, (as opposed to a B-F or some other national operation who has significant marketing budget set-aside for the whole company).

Deb

Venues like Slugger Field are built with taxpayer money, then operated to maximize profit for non-municipal entities occupying them. It's an eternal mystery to me.

"challenges getting a major/title sponsor due to the involvement of alcohol "  

This excuse sounds kind of weak to me.

Maybe this is why Thunder is so hard to sponsor these days. I can think of no Derby event that is more centered around alcohol.

The Derby itself should watch out, what with all of those mint juleps sloshing around...

Ronnie,
You are right- it does sound "weak" but it may actually be true. While liquor and wine companies, and restaurants don't have any issue with wine being the focus of this event, for some corporations this is at odds with their brand messaging. I'm guessing Kosair, Yum, Papa Johns, Ford, TARC and Humana all have a conflict issue with sponsoring this, even though it's not about drinking. And don't even get me started about having Chik-a Fila sponsoring....

Deb

[Robin Garr]

You are right- it does sound "weak" but it may actually be true. While liquor and wine companies, and restaurants don't have any issue with wine being the focus of this event, for some corporations this is at odds with their brand messaging. I'm guessing Kosair, Yum, Papa Johns, Ford, TARC and Humana all have a conflict issue with sponsoring this, even though it's not about drinking. And don't even get me started about having Chik-a Fila sponsoring....

Do we have a problem here with KDF events becoming too grandiose? I think about this from a management standpoint, and it seems to me that a group of citizens could get together, pass the hat, buy a few cases of cheap pink wine, get a permit (if a permit is even necessary) and run it at noon on the Monday before Derby. Enlist volunteers and you're looking at maybe a few hundred bucks, tops, for wine, glass rental and signage.

Is KDF going down the same path as the Louisville Orchestra board, too big and too organized for the community's own good? Or am I veering into tinfoil-hat territory here?

You are right- it does sound "weak" but it may actually be true. While liquor and wine companies, and restaurants don't have any issue with wine being the focus of this event, for some corporations this is at odds with their brand messaging. I'm guessing Kosair, Yum, Papa Johns, Ford, TARC and Humana all have a conflict issue with sponsoring this, even though it's not about drinking. And don't even get me started about having Chik-a Fila sponsoring....

Do we have a problem here with KDF events becoming too grandiose? I think about this from a management standpoint, and it seems to me that a group of citizens could get together, pass the hat, buy a few cases of cheap pink wine, get a permit (if a permit is even necessary) and run it at noon on the Monday before Derby. Enlist volunteers and you're looking at maybe a few hundred bucks, tops, for wine, glass rental and signage.

Is KDF going down the same path as the Louisville Orchestra board, too big and too organized for the community's own good? Or am I veering into tinfoil-hat territory here?

I guess I was thinking along the same lines Robin when I thought some of the local wineries would be able to sponsor such an event ...maybe the KDF has outgrown the locals...I miss the old days , now I dont go to any of the events too many people , oh well they say change is good.

KDF too grandiose? Please. The legion of KDF volunteers and directors like Harry Dennery should be applauded for what they do for this community, not insulted. Sponsorships are difficult to sell, whether you are the KDF or a charity doing a local fundraiser. Local businesses have always been included in their sponsorships, so why would you assume otherwise? But it does sound so easy, when you put it that way - just pass the hat, a few rentals and wine and a successful, well-attended event is re-born. I'm sure the KDF would welcome the LouisvilleHotBytes Run for the Rose next year.