Crown Royal Festival in the Field Set for Derby Week

Crown Royal Festival in the Field Set for Derby Week

Kellie Pickler and Finger Eleven to Headline

NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Crown Royal Festival in the Field has entertained more than 1.3 million people over the past 10 years. The tradition continues with the 11th Annual Crown Royal Festival in the Field, a two-day celebration of music, racing and Kentucky culture on the turf at Churchill Downs, May 1 and 2, 2008. Known as one of the premier outdoor celebrations in the country, this year's featured entertainment includes country music star, Kellie Pickler, and alternative rock stars, Finger Eleven.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080422/LATU054LOGO )

Attendees will once again enjoy two days of top-rated music and a full race schedule against the backdrop of Churchill Downs and its historic Twin Spires. Concertgoers can also view a close-up look at all the day's racing action on big screen video monitors, with easy access to betting windows, concession stands and restrooms.

Admission to the Crown Royal Festival in the Field on Thursday, May 1, is free with $3 paid track admission ($1 for Twin Spires Club members). Gates open at 11 a.m. and post time for the first of the day's 11 races is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.

Kellie Pickler, along with several regional favorites, will play Crown Royal's infield stage beginning at 12 p.m. The Albemarle, NC native released her album, Small Town Girl, on October 31, 2006, and entered the Billboard country albums chart at No. 1. Her first single, "Red High Heels," continued its way up the charts throughout 2007. Kellie Pickler's bubbly TV presence has led to work as a red carpet correspondent for The Tonight Show With Jay Leno as a guest host on The View. She appears courtesy of RCA's BNA Records and 19 Recordings.

Following Kellie Pickler will be alternative rock stars Finger Eleven, along with a list of local standouts performing on Friday, May 2. Music begins at 10:30 a.m., and the event is free with paid $25 track admission. Churchill Downs' admission gates open at 8 a.m. on Oaks Day, and post time for the first of the day's 11 races is set for 11 a.m.

Burlington, Ontario-based Finger Eleven began to gain recognition in Canada in 1998, but it wasn't until their 2003 self-titled release that US audiences began to pay attention. The record went gold, driven by the success of their Top 40 hit "One Thing." In 2007 the band released Them vs. You vs. Me with the single "Paralyzer," which went on to become the band's most successful single, cracking the Top 10 in the US Top 40 charts, and reaching number one on both the US and Canadian rock charts.

"There is nothing quite like the infield at Churchill Downs," said David Tapscott, brand director, Crown Royal. "The combination of outstanding bands and premier racing makes the Crown Royal Festival in the Field one of the truly great events in the country. We look to all attendees having a most entertaining day and enjoying it with family, friends and colleagues responsibly."

Immediately prior to the historic Kentucky Oaks, Crown Royal will celebrate the 17th running of the $150,000-added Crown Royal American Turf Race on Friday, May 2. The Grade III, 1 1/16-mile grass race for three-year- old thoroughbreds is one of the marquee races of the Kentucky Oaks Day racing program. In 2007, Duveen, under jockey Mark Guidry, held off late-running second place finisher Whatsthescript to win by half a length in rain-soaked conditions. The race will be televised nationally on ESPN (3-5 p.m. EST). Post time for the race is set for 4:47 p.m. EDT.

Leading up to the big weekend in Louisville, Crown Royal will continue to promote its "Be A Champion. Drink Responsibly." campaign to adult racing fans via Safe Rides Home designated driver initiatives and other programs designed to reinforce the importance of responsible drinking and decision-making.

About Crown Royal

Crown Royal, the number one selling Canadian whisky in the US by value, has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. In addition to its sponsorship of, the Crown Royal American Turf race at Churchill Downs, the brand also sponsors a number of other major regional and national events, and is the primary sponsor of the No. 26 Roush Racing Ford Fusion driven by Jamie McMurray. For more information on Crown Royal, visit http://www.crownroyal.com/.

About Diageo

Crown Royal is blended by Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O), the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com/.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

CROWN ROYAL Blended Canadian Whisky. 40% Alc/Vol.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080422/LATU054
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN11
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Diageo

CONTACT: Mike Manning of Proof Media Mix, +1-720-936-3996,
mike@proofmediamix.com; or Greg Leonard of Diageo, +1-646-223-2111,
greg.leonard@diageo.com

Web site: http://www.diageo.com/
http://www.crownroyal.com/

-------
Profile: intent