FESTIVAL NAMES THUNDERNATORS
2007-04-18T11:16:32FORMER TUSKEGEE AIRMAN, LOCAL MAGICIAN
TO SERVE AS THUNDERNATORS
The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that Morris Washington of Prospect, Ky., and David Garrard of the Louisville Magic Club will serve as the official “Thundernators” for the 2007 Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show. At approximately 9:29 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, Washington will turn a key to activate the Thunder launch system sequence in the Command Center at the Galt House Hotel. Immediately thereafter on the Belvedere, Garrard will start the pyrotechnics by performing a trick that will propel fireworks from his magician’s costume.
On March 29, the 88-year-old Washington and 300 other members of Tuskegee Airmen were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal for their pioneering service during World War II. Garrard, first vice president of the Louisville Magic Club, has been performing magic for more than 40 years, including shows at the Kentucky State Fair and Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.
“It’s been an exciting time for me lately and I’m really looking forward to starting the Thunder fireworks show,” said Washington, a native of Atlantic City, N.J. “I watched the Thunder show once at the Humana Building and once at the 800 Building, but I’ve never been this close. This is a wonderful honor and I’m very proud (to serve as Thundernator).”
While serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps during the war, Washington was shipped to Godman Field at Fort Knox. It was during that time that he met his future wife, Bernice Calhoun, a native of Louisville, who died late last year. The couple was married for 59 years and had two children, Donald Washington and Linda Higgins. Following the war, Washington dabbled in the appliance business in the New Jersey area before moving to Louisville in 1949. He later became the first African-American to work in the mutuel department at Churchill Downs.
“Blacks had worked at Churchill for many years, in places like the restrooms and horse barns, but I was the first one who was allowed to handle money. They used to call me the Jackie Robinson of Churchill Downs,” said Washington, who also helped to organize an employees union at the racetrack. He worked at Churchill Downs for 31 years and also for 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service.
Said Garrard: “I am very excited to be part of the kickoff for the Kentucky Derby Festival. It will be a very magical evening for many thousands of people and it’s a great honor to be involved.”
Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies, will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, with the Foodfest and Thunder on the Ground interactive activities and exhibits. The air show starts at 3 p.m. and then “Thunder” rolls at 9:30 p.m. Thunder is sponsored by Caesars Indiana, E.ON U.S., Meijer and UPS.
