HullabaLOU to return in 2011 after successful debut

The first HullabaLOU Music Festival conducted last Friday through Sunday at

Churchill Downs attracted 78,753 fans from across North America despite searing

summer heat.

"The question we have been asked over and over has been, will HullabaLOU

return in 2011?" noted Steve Sexton, president of the Churchill Downs

Entertainment Group (CDE). "The answer to that question is a resounding yes!"

On-site research conducted during HullabaLOU's three-day run indicated that

99 percent of fans would recommend HullabaLOU to a friend. Additionally, 70

percent said they would personally return to the festival next year, and another

28 percent said they might attend in 2011, listing heat and potential artist

line-up as factors in their decision to return.

The inaugural run of the HullabaLOU Music Festival attracted fans from 47

states and Canada who flocked to the historic Louisville, Kentucky, institution

to enjoy exciting performances from an all-star roster of 66 artists topped by

Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney and the Dave Matthews Band.

"Fans are telling us they had a great experience, and we're really pleased by

the overwhelming response to the first Hullabalou Music Festival from the

thousands of fans in our region and those who visited Churchill Downs from

throughout North America," Sexton said.

"Thanks to everyone -- our guests, our artists and their management teams,

HullabaLOU vendors, official sponsors and partners, our employees and Churchill

team, our countless volunteers and all throughout the region who supported the

festival and warmly embraced visitors and fans throughout the week."

Sexton previously indicated that CDE's three specific major goals for the

first HullabaLOU Music Festival were largely realized. The goals included:

* Creation of a large-scale, unique music festival experience;

* Building a major nationally-acclaimed event; and

* Making the event financially viable with potential for future growth.

CDE staff members will analyze feedback from fans and performers over the

next few weeks and review all areas of festival operations in an effort to

improve on the impressive debut of HullabaLOU while planning for the 201l event.

Fans are encouraged to post input on the event's Facebook page, which

attracted more than 26,000 friends in the months leading up to and throughout

HullabaLOU's three-day run.