Toadvine Blog

Iroquois Amphitheater is a beautiful venue for wide variety of events. Some of their upcoming events speak to the diversity of the talent and entertainment they offer our city. They have U of L dance theater coming up for multiple performances followed by rock and roll bands like Umphrey’s Magee and Edward Sharp and The Magnetic Zeros. They have events for the whole family like movie nights. The price is right for the upcoming movie night on September 8 featuring The Zookeeper starring Kevin James. The cost is free, and what a great way to spend the evening with the whole family.

Toadvine Enterprises was contracted for the seating project for the Iroquois Amphitheater and there are 2,366 seats in all. The exterior seats are a comfortable way to enjoy this beautiful outdoor venue and all the variety of entertainment they offer.

The Iroquois Amphitheater origins were a result of the Works Progress Administration and was originally built in the spring of 1938. Their website recalls, “After the 2000 performance season, Metro Parks began an ambitious project to modernize the facility while preserving the Amphitheater’s historic features and unique character.” Toadvine Enterprises was proud to participate in the renovation process of this wonderful facility. Since the renovation, they have grown in the scope of their entertainment offerings and have reestablished themselves as one of the favorite local entertainment venues in Louisville.

If you have not visited Iroquois Amphitheater, it should be added to your short list of places to visit in Louisville. You will not be disappointed. Here are a few things they have coming up through September. Check their website for dates and times.

• Gilbert & Sullivan’s “HMS Pinafore”
• U of L Dance Theater
• Movie Night: “The Zookeeper”
• Umphrey’s McGee
• Derby City Brass Band
• Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
• The Dark Side of the Wall

MaxPreps just came out with Kentucky’s top 10 most consistent high school football programs. There are no surprises of who made the list, but who has the programs that will shine in 2012? Impressively, Trinity is ranked #12 preseason for the country. Congratulations to them on that accomplishment.

The top 10 according to MaxPreps.com:

(not all the same divisions)

1. Trinity (Louisville)
2. St. Xavier (Louisville)
3. Highlands (Fort Thomas)
4. Male (Louisville)
5. Bowling Green
6. DuPont Manual (Louisville)
7. Lexington Catholic
8. Covington Catholic (Park Hills)
9. Scott County (Georgetown)
10. Bell County (Pineville)

Our congratulations to these awesome high school athletic programs on making MaxPrep’s top 10 list of most consistent high school football programs in the state. Coming into the 2012 fall season we are excited to see what teams will rise to the top and if there will be any Cinderellas in the mix. What is consistent, across the board, for these top-performing programs is great facilities and equipment. Terrence Mann of Field of Dreams said it best, “If you build they will come.” People will come, and so will the players. The best facilities are strong selling points for attracting the best talent.

As we are entering August, start dreaming about your program and how you can eventually find your name among those on the top 10 lists MaxPrep is putting out. Call us and schedule a time we can show you all the new and exciting products we are carrying.

It’s no secret about the history of the rivalry between Louisville Male High School and DuPont Manual High School. Even if you didn’t attend either of these schools you probably have heard the stories that they had a single game decide which school would get the coveted “M” as their own to mark their jerseys and brand themselves for eternity.

If you are one of the few who do not know about their rivalry you can find plenty of stories and opinions online to fill volumes. The rivalry between these two schools is the oldest in Kentucky’s history and as early as 1909 they had attendances topping 10,000 at the annual Thanksgiving Day football match-up. If you didn’t know, DuPont Manuel ended up with the “M.” This rivalry is still strong today and even has it’s own Facebook page to fuel it.

Rivalries can be a great thing! If ticket sales weren’t reason enough to build the momentum of your rivalries there are several other positive take-aways. There is no dollar amount that can be placed on your fans growing in their support of your organization. When you can get them energized and vocalizing that support, well, it doesn’t get any better than that. You are building loyalty and your reach in your community by capitalizing on your rivalries, which is something whole communities can get behind and want to support. This can be a great way to boost volunteer support and local businesses to advertise.

Rivalries are great motivators for the athletes themselves. Athletes will give more, play harder, and perform better when school pride is on the line. You should be asking yourself, “what am I doing to enhance a current rivalry or develop a new one?” If you are building the rivalry you are building your program. Be thinking creatively how you can involve everyone—the students, parents, faculty, local businesses, and the whole community. Take advantage of every angle to promote your program and your school or organization.

Rivalries Can Boost:

• Ticket Sales
• Advertising Tools
• Building Fan Support
• Athlete Performance
• Community Involvement
• School Spirit