MEDIA INFORMATION
Thunder Over Louisville. More than 500,000 spectators are expected to view the kick-off event for the annual spring celebration featuring an all-day air show and fireworks spectacular. Below you will find information on press credentials, media guides, Thunder week media opportunities and the latest news releases.We welcome your coverage of Thunder and all Derby Festival events. Visit www.kdf.org for information about the month-long celebration. Let us know how we can make your job easier.
Press Contacts
Aimee Boyd, Vice President of Communications 502-572-3819, aboyd@kdf.org
Mark Shallcross, Communications Manager 502-572-3822, mshallcross@kdf.org
Robert Young, Vice President of Public Relations 502-572-3848, ryoung@kdf.org
Kentucky Derby Festival/Thunder Over Louisville
1001 South Third Street
Louisville, KY 40203
Media Guide
To obtain a Kentucky Derby Festival Media Guide, including Thunder Over Louisville information, email aboyd@kdf.org. They will be available the first of April. The previous year's media guide is also still available for reference. Media guides will also be distributed with Thunder credentials.
Press Credentials
Local Media will receive press credentials through their assignment editor. Press credentials for regional or national media will be distributed through the Derby Festival Press Office. Please contact the Press Office for more information at (502) 572-3822.
- Command Center: Atop a downtown hotel, the entire show is orchestrated from a central area. The air show boss calls the aircraft from this location, sound is mixed for the PA address, fireworks are controlled by computer and ground operations are directed. For more information regarding access to schedule interviews or photography in the Command Center, contact the press office in advance.
- Second Street Bridge: One of Thunder's signatures - a miles of fireworks waterfall - are loaded onto this bridge the week prior to Thunder. The bridge is closed to the public the day before the show. For more information on access, contact the press office in advance.
Press Credential Distribution
Local Media will receive press credentials through their
assignment editor.
Show Day Press Officer
Access
The press staff will be stationed in the Command
Center. Cell numbers will be posted on the back
of Thunder press credentials.
Schedule of Thunder
Week Media Opportunities
Preparations for Thunder occur throughout the week. Good
times for visual opportunities, natural sound and interviews
include:
- Infrastructure Set-up. Fencing, portable restrooms, sound towers and other infrastructure for the Opening Ceremonies will be put into place starting Monday, April 16. The public venue runs North of Main between Clay and 8th Street on the Kentucky side.
- Chow Wagon vendor move-in and stage set-up begins.
- Generators begin set up on Tuesday, April 17.
- Aircraft begin arriving for Thunder on Thursday, April 19. (Media flights may be available.)
- Thunder sponsors attend They're Off! Luncheon (at head table). Friday, April 20. 11:30-1:00 pm.
Schedule is tentative. Please confirm with Press Office. A complete list of activities and locations will also be sent to all local assignment desks.
