♥ Thunder Over Louisville ♥

Thunder Over Louisville is the official kick-off for the Kentucky Derby Festival. Normally, it occurs two weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby, but this year, due to when Easter falls on the calendar, it is three weeks prior. I attended Thunder last year, and had every intention of going again this year, but rain and 40 degree temperatures along with a flooded river/muddy lawn made me decide to watch on TV from the comfort of my warm, dry home!

Thunder Over Louisville is a day-long party by the Ohio River. People pack in early on the Great Lawn and adjacent areas and set up lawn chairs and coolers. There are typical festival foods (fried anything) and drinks (booze), a few carnival rides, boat races, and beginning at 3:00pm, an air show featuring fly-overs and stunts by every type of aircraft imaginable. In my opinion, one of the best parts of the air show is during the week before Thunder when you can hear the planes arriving in the city!

The air show lasts until about 9:00pm. Then, at 9:30pm, its time for the highlight of the event...the fireworks show! It is the largest annual fireworks show in the country! It generally lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and is set to upbeat music to match the year's theme (this year's theme is Superheros). Fireworks are launched from the Clark Memorial Bridge, as well as from several huge barges strategically placed along the river. It really is an incredible sight!

One day, I'd love to watch the Thunder fireworks from a hotel room overlooking the river. But for tonight, I have to settle for watching it on television and hearing the booms from across town! Here are some of my photos from last year's (sunny and warm!) Thunder!