Scene and Heard

Bon Jovi headlines Friday evening's show

Dave Matthews Headlined Sundays Show

The first HullabaLOU Music Festival conducted July 23-25 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?” stated 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, Ky. 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,” said Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs Entertainment. “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
*       Make 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.

See HullabaLOU recap

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