Company previously operated under LG&E Energy name
The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that E.ON U.S. is the newest sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies and the largest annual fireworks show in the United States. E.ON U.S, previously named LG&E Energy, has been a Derby Festival sponsor at some level for more than 20 years.
“We’re thrilled that E.ON U.S. has taken its support of the Derby Festival to the next level and is now a major corporate sponsor of the largest single-day event in the Southeast,” said Mike Berry, Derby Festival President and CEO. “This sponsorship further demonstrates E.ON U.S.’ commitment to the community and to one of the leading civic celebrations in the world. We are very grateful for their Thunder sponsorship and for all the support they have provided over the years.”
In the past, E.ON. U.S. has been involved in such Derby Festival events as the Academic Challenge, Republic Bank Pegasus Parade, KyDzFest!, Run for the Rose', U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race and the Meijer miniMarathon and Marathon.
“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the Kentucky Derby Festival and we couldn’t be more proud to help support what has become Kentucky’s premier event,” said Chip Keeling, Vice President, Communications, E.ON U.S. “It is important for us to give back to the communities we serve and Thunder Over Louisville is Kentucky’s largest and most well-recognized event – between the air show and fireworks, it’s a great event to share with your family.”
E.ON U.S., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a subsidiary of E.ON A.G., the world’s largest investor-owned energy services provider. E.ON U.S. is a diversified energy services company that owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated utility that serves 318,000 natural gas and 390,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility in Lexington, Ky., that serves 518,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.
Thunder Over Louisville - the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies - is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival each spring. The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 325 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two-week period and has a local economic impact of more than $93 million. Thunder alone contributes $31 million of that estimate to both sides of the Ohio River.
