Churchill Downs, QuintEvents® Renew Kentucky Derby, Oaks Hospitality/Travel Experiences Program

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Churchill Downs Racetrack ("CDRT") and QuintEvents® have reached a multi-year agreement in which the Charlotte, N.C. company will continue to serve as the historic track's Official Partner Agency for the marketing and fulfillment of travel experience packages to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and the Longines Kentucky Oaks.

In its role as the exclusive Official Experience Package Provider to Churchill Downs, QuintEvents has added new components to the array of packages available for this year's 140th runnings of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3 and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 2. 

QuintEvents' Official Derby Experiences offerings of customized packages that include travel and hotel accommodations, tickets, tourism attractions and other amenities for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks have sold out each year since the program's creation in 2007. The Official Derby Experiences Program provides fans with access to premium areas such as Millionaires Row and the Churchill Downs Turf Club, along with Clubhouse and Grandstand seating options with the ability to accommodate large groups in blocks.

The Derby Experiences Packages for the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are available for purchase through DerbyExperiences.com or by calling (888) 384-7088.

"The Kentucky Derby is an iconic event and the demand for Derby Experiences packages continues to grow as more and more people want to experience these spectacular sports and entertainment events in a very special way," said Brian Learst, C.E.O. of QuintEvents.  "New Churchill Downs' venues and attractions that will be unveiled for this year's renewals Kentucky Derby and Oaks offer expanded seating and hospitality opportunities, and we've created a new 'Fillies & Lilies Party' on Oaks night and other new packages to accommodate additional fans with unique and unforgettable experiences during Kentucky Derby Week in Louisville."

New venues and seating to be introduced at the 2014 Kentucky Derby include Grandstand Terrace, located in the Grandstand section adjacent to the upper portion of the track's famed homestretch.  Those new and updated sections on the third floor Grandstand (sections 326-328) offer an elevated view with intimate 5-row seating for increased visibility, overlook the Kentucky Derby starting gate and will provide a spectacular view of the far turn and upper stretch, which are often the most critical areas of the respective runnings of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

The new venues will look out upon Churchill Downs' massive new "Big Board," a state-of-the-art 4K LED video board measuring more than 15,000 square feet located along the track's backstretch.  The track has teamed with Panasonic to create the $12 million video board that will provide images of unprecedented size and clarity of both the celebration and fashion of those days, and the excitement of racing on Derby and Oaks Days.   

Seating in the new Grandstand Terrace will provide exclusive access to the new Sunny's Halo Lounge, a 13,000 square foot rooftop party deck providing fans the unique ability to view the racing action from their hospitality venue. The new Sunny's Halo Lounge is the answer to a demand for a more sophisticated party atmosphere than the infield, offering food buffets and premium bars with celebrity appearances scheduled by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Mia Greenhouse, Lauren Williams, Mackenzie Weeks and Jackie Bob, along with a visit by actress Nichole Galicia of the film "Django Unchained."  Fans in the Sunny's Halo Lounge will also have the opportunity to meet-and-greet a Kentucky Derby-winning, Hall of Fame jockey; Pat Day and Chris McCarron confirmed for the 2014 program. 

Packages in this exciting new grandstand and Sunny's Halo Lounge start at just $799.

The Derby Experiences' "Affirmed Lounge," now located at the Kentucky Derby Museum adjacent to the clubhouse, will feature a live musical performance by "American Idol" finalist Elise Testone.

Access to these Derby Experiences' in-track hospitality venues are only available with Official Ticket packages at DerbyExperiences.com.

The Kentucky Derby Museum will also be the home of the new "Fillies & Lilies Party," a major addition to the Kentucky Derby Week social schedule that will follow the Friday, May 2 celebration of the Longines Kentucky Oaks. The party, located a short stroll from Kentucky Oaks seating at Churchill Downs, marks the first time attendees on Friday will not have to leave Churchill Downs for their evening of entertainment and will feature an intimate concert by five-time Grammy Award winner Wynonna Judd & The Big Noise.  The evening's celebration will also include appearances by Nichole Galicia and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders along with cuisine, drinks, a Bourbon Lounge and other featured entertainment.

Tickets to the "Fillies & Lilies Party" are priced at $599 per person, and are also part of Grandstand Blue Party Official Ticket packages for the entire Derby weekend.  Those tickets start at just $1,499. 

For more information on Official Ticket Packages, visit www.DerbyExperiences.com. For access to new programing or inquires on ticket packages for the 2015 Kentucky Derby, call (888) 384-7088.

SOURCE QuintEvents