diff --git a/includes/theme.inc b/includes/theme.inc
index ebe5817..6550c07 100644
--- a/includes/theme.inc
+++ b/includes/theme.inc
@@ -2839,6 +2839,25 @@ function template_preprocess_region(&$variables) {
 }
 
 /**
+ * Process variables for region.tpl.php
+ *
+ * Perform final addition of variables before passing them into the template.
+ * To customize these variables, simply set them in an earlier step.
+ *
+ * @see template_preprocess_region()
+ * @see region.tpl.php
+ */
+function template_process_region(&$variables) {
+  if (!empty($variables['elements']['#attributes']['class'])) {
+    // Merge new classes.
+    $variables['classes_array'] = array_merge($variables['elements']['#attributes']['class'], $variables['classes_array']);
+
+    // Flatten out classes.
+    $variables['classes'] = implode(' ', $variables['classes_array']);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
  * Preprocesses variables for theme_username().
  *
  * Modules that make any changes to variables like 'name' or 'extra' must insure