Thunder Over Louisville by Rob Mason If you don't plan on attending this year's "Thunder Over Louisville", an annual event that kicks off the city's two-week long Kentucky Derby Festival, then you've probably never been to one before. The consensus among those of us who regularly attend (this will be my sixth year as a Thunder-Alum), is that we will never miss another one. Photos courtesy of WHAS 11 TV Why, you ask? Because Thunder Over Louisville is, pardon the pun, a blast! The festivities usually kick off around 3 p.m., although I suggest getting there plenty early due to traffic and parking, with one of the largest air shows in the country. Not only will you regularly see a large number of stunt pilots and air-teams, like the World War 2 reenactments performed by the group, Tora-Tora, you will also see an amazing compliment of military aircraft including the Stealth Fighter, from time to time the B-2 Stealth Bomber, the F-16, the F-15 Tomcat, and my personal favorite, the Lancer Bomber. The air show takes place right over the river, and if you choose to view the festivities from the Indiana side, my personal choice, you will see it over the back-drop of the beautiful Louisville skyline. Photos courtesy of WHAS 11 TV The actual "Thunder" begins around 9 p.m., and I'm afraid that nothing I can write here can do what you will see justice. I've been asked, over the years, what Thunder Over Louisville is like. I'm afraid that capturing the excitement, energy, community pride for Louisville as well as the neighboring Southern Indiana community of Jeffersonville, is a nearly impossible task. Unless you have stood out there, sometimes in the rain, almost always in the chilly, April air, when darkness comes and over 100 aerial search lights kick on, lighting the night sky, preparing the immense crowd for what's about to come, any description I give would not do it justice; the energy and anticipation generated by the crowd as they stand, knowing the familiar patriotic speech that is broadcast simultaneously on both sides of the river as two helicopters, one on the Kentucky side and one on the Indiana side, make their way slowly to the viewing area, a gigantic American flag in display beneath them - both glowing from the light of a dozen or more aerial search lights. Photos courtesy of WHAS 11 TV When they disappear, the count-down begins; ten seconds later, the sky is literally set on fire with what I've been told is the largest fireworks display in the world. If that's not accurate, it's the largest that I've seen by far, and I've seen some big displays. Imagine every grand finale you've ever seen on the Fourth of July. Now imagine them going off, all at the same time...and multiply it by ten! The show is intense, amazing and beautiful, especially when Second Street bridge is turned into a fiery waterfall, a real crowd-pleaser. The display usually lasts a half an hour - then you're treated to the REAL THUNDER- more than 10,000 aerial grenades being fired in 30 seconds or less! The rumble is earth and ear shaking! The concussion you'll feel on your chest will take your breath away, the roar of the crowd when it's over will keep you coming back year after year after year. I hope to see you there this year! <Back to Top>

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