Palmer Products Corp. Celebrates Derby with Louisville Festivities

Last Saturday in Louisville, Ky., three-year-old thoroughbred Big Brown raced to a 4 3/4-length victory over filly Eight Belles to win the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby before the second-largest crowd in Derby history. In years past, the Derby crowd would have included employees of the family-owned and operated mirror adhesives business, Palmer Products Corp. However, according to Chris Palmer-Ball, vice-president of the company, it's the events leading up to the race in his hometown that are most notable.

He explains that the Derby and the events leading up to it have become Louisville's "own Mardi Gras."

As Mr. Palmer-Ball explained, "not a whole lot gets done" around Derby time and locals and tourists alike are encouraged to attend the festivities. This is futher encouraged by the closing of many Lousville-area schools and businesses, including Palmer, on the Friday before the race.

He explains that the extra day off is generally used to celebrate Oaks Day, which culminates in the running of the Kentucky Oaks race.

Palmer-Ball marvels at the enormity of the Derby events, which began with the horse race itself, but has grown into a festival of more than 70 events, including hot-air balloon races and the fireworks extravaganza, "Thunder Over Louisville."

Palmer-Ball encourages those not acquainted with horseracing to still visit Louisville for the Kentucky Derby Festival and its races next year. As he notes, even if horseracing isn't your thing, "you can't beat the people watching."

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