Each year, about half a million people gather around the banks of the Louisville River to watch Thunder Over Louisville, the world’s largest fireworks display and the inaugural event of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The 28-minute fireworks show is preceded by the Thunder Air Show, one of the top five air shows in the country. The Thunder Air Show features more than 100 aircraft that perform hours of diving and stunts. Both the air show and fireworks display combine to make Thunder Over Louisville one of the most anticipated annual Kentucky Derby Festival events.
History of thunder over Louisville
Kroger, first sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville, developed the idea for a 1988 Kentucky Derby Festival opening ceremony together with Dan Mangeot and Wayne Hettinger. The first Thunder Over Louisville occurred in 1990, although it had not yet earned its current name. In 1991, the second annual Thunder Over Louisville gave the event its official name and format.
Thunder over the Louisville Airshow
The Thunder Over Louisville Airshow began as a way to entertain visitors in the run-up to the fireworks. However, as one of the top five air shows in the country, the Thunder Over Louisville Airshow now has its own bragging rights. The Thunder Over Louisville Air Show features more than 100 aircraft performing more than six hours of flyovers, stunts, and dive stunts. It also offers visitors the opportunity to see the newest aircraft being flown by the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
Thunder over the Louisville fireworks
At 9:30 pm on the night of Thunder Over Louisville, the real show begins. You will know that the fireworks are getting ready to begin when two helicopters fly a large American flag as “America the Beautiful” and “The Star Spangled Banner” are launched from the speakers. Then, the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show begins.
If you’ve only seen Thunder Over Louisville on TV, you’ve never really experienced it. Getting there, parking, finding a place to see the show, and getting home in traffic can be a hassle, but it’s worth it when the fireworks start and you feel the pounding of their explosions all over your body. You may be surrounded by strangers who are closer to you than you care for, you may be covered in ash and soot by the time the show concludes, and you may sit in your car for three hours in a parking lot trying to get home, but you’ll smile and You will swear to return next year.
Entradas Thunder Over Louisville
While it seems like such an extravagant event it would require visitors to pay some sort of admission, Thunder Over Louisville is a free event. With the exception of some restricted areas, anyone wishing to watch the show can do so from the Louisville or Jeffersonville docks free of charge. Visitors can also view the show from the Waterfront Park Chow Wagon, provided they are wearing a current year’s Pin Dergas Festival Pegasus.
Thunder Over Louisville Schedule
The Thunder Over Louisville air show begins at 3 p.m. and continues until around 9 p.m. that night. At 9 pm, the “Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” will play, which means the fireworks will start soon. Fireworks go off from 9:30 to 10 p.m.
Thunder over the Louisville parking lot
Parking for Thunder Over Louisville is available throughout downtown Louisville. There is no charge to park in a meter, but most parking lots and lots will charge a fee. The earlier you get there, the better your chances of finding a parking space as close to the river as possible. The River City Transit Authority also runs trips to and from the riverbank throughout the event; for pick-up / drop-off times and locations, visit the TARC website.
Thunder over the Louisville rules
Visitors to Thunder Over Louisville may bring beverages contained in plastic bottles, but cans and glass bottles are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into the Thunder Over Louisville area, although beer is available at the Waterfront Park Chow Wagon and the Belvedere Beer Garden. Weapons, tents, bicycles, skateboards, skates, and pets are also prohibited.
