THUNDER FEVER LEADS TO DERBY FESTIVAL KICK OFF

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce the theme of the 2010 Thunder Over Louisville show on April 17: "Thunder Fever: May Increase Heart Rate." The Thunder theme dovetails with the Derby Festival's overall 2010 theme, "Spring Fever Reliever." The Thunder Over Louisville music soundtrack, which will be aired exclusively on WAVE 3 TV and Lite 106.9 WVEZ, will feature songs celebrating springtime and medical and therapeutic references.

"As spring approaches, the entire community is yearning for the opportunity to shake off the winter doldrums and embrace the excitement of getting outside again," said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. "Thunder Over Louisville is the ultimate outside event, with six hours of Air Show acts and a fireworks show that will increase the heart rate of everyone who still has a pulse. We're keeping our fingers crossed for great weather on April 17, as well as the rest of the run of Derby Festival events in 2010."

Thanks to the generous support of the event's corporate sponsors - E.ON U.S., Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, Meijer and UPS, as well as community McDonald's Thunder Funders, the Thunder Over Louisville show will once again feature an exciting array of military and civilian aircraft, as well as elite parachute and demonstration teams. There will also be a variety of on-the-ground activities to keep spectators entertained throughout the day.

"As always, Thunder Over Louisville will deliver seven hours of spectacular free entertainment that can be found nowhere else in the world but right here in Louisville, Kentucky," said Wayne Hettinger, Thunder Over Louisville producer. "We're excited about putting together a unique soundtrack that will remind everyone of the beauty of springtime and all the cures for cabin fever."

Thunder Over Louisville - the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies - is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2010 Thunder Over Louisville, themed "Thunder Fever," is set for Saturday, April 17, and will be the  will be the 20th annual production. The show is sponsored by E.ON U.S., Horseshoe Casino and Hotel, Meijer and UPS.