THUNDER RECOGNIZED ON INTERNATIONAL TOP 10 LIST
2004-07-05T13:14:38
Thunder Over Louisville - The Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies - is considered one of the top five fireworks shows in the world, according to an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia. Thunder is ranked fourth in the report published this summer. The story focused on the best ten fireworks displays in the United States and around the world. It was the cover story for the July 4th travel section.
Dr. Paul Marriott, President of the Canadian Fireworks Association, submitted the international ratings. He looked at fireworks displays held year-round and chose what he considered to be the “best of the best.” Others on the top ten list included: the 2004 Olympics Closing Ceremony in Athens, Greece; the International Fireworks Festival in Cannes, France; the Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular in New York City; and the Montreal International Fireworks Competition in Canada.
Thunder Over Louisville is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period and has a local economic impact of more than $90 million. Thunder alone contributes $31 million of that estimate to both sides of the Ohio River. It is the largest single-day event in the Southeast.
The 2004 show on Saturday, April 17 was the fifteenth annual production and a tremendous day of entertainment for more than 500,000 spectators. The show was sponsored by: Caesars Indiana, Ford Motor Company and UPS. The 2005 Thunder Over Louisville will take place on Saturday, April 23.
