It all started back in 1988 as an idea to have an opening ceremony for the Kentucky Derby Festival. While the current format of the fireworks show officially started in 1990, Thunder Over Louisville has grown from the idea of a handful of people to an event that regularly draws 600,000+ visitors.
The almost 30-minute long fireworks show is the largest fireworks display in North America and it is the official kick off to the two-week celebration leading up to Derby day. The cost is roughly $1 million dollars, but it is estimated to have an impact of over $30 million for the city and downtown.
While the fireworks display begins at 9:30 PM, many visitors come early to not only get a good view of the fireworks show, but also the air show. It boasts fly-bys of many aircrafts including The B2 Stealth, F16 & F 22s, Black Hawks & Sky Soldiers among many others. Also included are many group flights from the US Coast Guard and both the Kentucky and Indiana National Guards. This year, the fly-bys and flights will begin at 3:00 and continue on until the fireworks display.
According to the Kentucky Derby Festival office, for the third consecutive year, McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana is the title sponsor of the Derby Festival’s Thunder Funder Program, which will help raise funds for the 2008 Thunder Over Louisville show. This fund-raising effort has become a vital promotion in helping to ensure that Thunder will remain free for the entire community. While the 2008 Thunder theme as well as the presenting sponsors have yet to be announced, plans have been ongoing for this year since the 2007 Thunder celebration.
While on the waterfront, you’ll find many vendors with everything from funnel cakes and beer to sunglasses and official Kentucky Derby Festival souvenirs. Admission to Thunder is free, but have your Pegasus Pin just in case you want to check out the Chow Wagon located there.
Leave your coolers, cans and bottles, alcohol, tents and pets at home. But, do bring your patience down to the riverfront, as there are anywhere from 600,000 to 1 million people also trying to exit the festivities. Check your routes before you leave the house to see what streets are open and what streets are closed.
Be sure to check out http://www.thunderoverlouisville.org for up to date information and any changes to this year’s event.
