HullabaLOU goes green

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Churchill Downs Entertainment Group (CDE) and Louisville Gas & Electric Company (LG&E) have partnered to bring one of the world’s foremost outdoor festival waste management companies to the inaugural HullabaLOU Music Festival for management of clean-up and recycling efforts in the vast infield.

Clean Vibes LLC, the North Carolina-based company formed in 1997 to organize waste removal for outdoor music festivals, will have a strong presence in Churchill Downs’ 25-acre infield when the first-time festival begins its three-day run Friday, July 23, through Sunday, July 25.

Through the LG&E Clean Vibes Trading Post, Clean Vibes will provide the means to recycle and educate attendees about the importance of recycling and maintaining a clean environment.

“An environmentally-focused green initiative was an important component to the launch of our HullabaLOU Music Festival, and we’re thrilled to partner with LG&E and Clean Vibes in our greening efforts,” said Ryan Jordan, CDE Vice President of Operations. “Clean Vibes has received numerous accolades for their outstanding work at Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, and Bonnaroo along with numerous other music festivals across the country. Clean Vibes recycled and composted over 50,000 pounds of waste at each of these festivals. We’re energized to have their expertise and civic-minded services on hand for our inaugural event.”

“We are excited to be a part of the inaugural HullabaLOU Music Festival and be able to promote the importance of caring for the environment at the same time,” said Chip Keeling, LG&E’s vice president of Communications. “Our commitment to the communities we serve and the environment has been, and continues to be, a top priority at LG&E.”

The Clean Vibes team will consist of dozens of “Trash Talkers™,” who will assist and show festival goers how easy it is to minimize their waste footprint through recycling and composting.
Groups of three trash cans – individually labeled as “Recycling,” “Compost” and “Landfill” – will be positioned throughout the infield. Trash Talkers™ will be stationed at each location to ensure that trash is disposed in the proper trash can.

Additionally, festival attendees have an opportunity to redeem collected aluminum cans and plastic bottles at LG&E Clean Vibes Trading Post locations in exchange for immediate rewards. The LG&E Clean Vibes Trading Post will be located between the infield’s Kroger and Budweiser stages with satellite locations near Gates 1 and 17.

“It’s an easy way to engage folks in the waste diversion process,” said Anna Borofsky, owner of Clean Vibes LLC.

“Just bring your compostable cups, cans, and bottles to the Trading Posts at HullabaLOU and ‘cash’ them in for your choice of green gifts. We will offer everything from earth friendly health and beauty products and sustainable clothing to autographed band merchandise.”

As part of Festival Green efforts, HullabaLOU customers will be served food and beverage with biodegradable utensils, napkins and serving containers plus recyclable plastic and aluminum beverage containers. Foods will also be cooked with recyclable cooking oils.

The inaugural HullabaLOU Music Festival at Churchill Downs is designed to be an annual summer event. A wide range of over 65 artists that blend the sounds of classic rock, country, adult contemporary and bluegrass will be showcased on five stages between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.

Bon Jovi (Friday, July 23), Kenny Chesney (Saturday, July 24) and Dave Matthews Band (Sunday, July 25) are the headline acts. A complete list of performers is available online at the event website, www.HullabaLOUfest.com. The HullabaLOU Music Festival is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HullabaLOUfest .

General admission is $75 daily or $200 for a three-day pass (a $25 savings), which enables lawn access at all three infield stages – the Kroger Stage, Budweiser Stage and Fleur de Lis Stage – and first come, first served general admission seating in the grandstand for the main HullabaLOU Stage. A limited number of reserved seats remain on sale at www.ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets, including select Kroger locations, or by calling (800) 745-3000.