The Kentucky Derby Festival's "Thunder Funder" Campaign raised more than $70,000 to help produce this year's Thunder Over Louisville - the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies and the largest annual fireworks show in the United States. Individuals and business 
pledged contributions during the March 9 fund drive to 582-BOOM or via the website ://www.thunderfunder.com/. The average pledge was $43.76, with contributions coming via telephone, internet and in person. Gift package purchases were also made at Kroger and Republic Bank locations.
"It was a great opportunity for the public to show its support of Thunder and help take ownership of this great event. We were very pleased with the public response," said Mike Berry, Derby Festival President and CEO. "The Thunder Funder campaign could not have happened without the unprecedented partnership between the general managers of all four local television stations. Those stations - along with WBKI, WYCS and MetroTV did a tremendous job of promoting the fund drive throughout the day and through the weekend."
