THUNDER VIEWING TIPS

With the official Opening Ceremonies of the Kentucky Derby Festival: Thunder Over Louisville just days away, people are making their plans for where to watch the show.  Thanks to the generous support of Caesars Indiana, Ford Motor Company, UPS and a growing network of Thunder Funders, Thunder will be held on Saturday, April 17, with the Air Show beginning at 3 p.m. and a 30-minute fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Said Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry: "The generosity of our sponsors and the unrivaled dedication of our staff and vendors have enabled us to offer, once again, the premiere festival event of our region, with yet another spectacular day of free entertainment for the entire community.”

Civilian planes and aerial acts will join military aircraft for the 2004 show “A Broadway Thunder” – which salutes the classic entertainment showcased for decades on the theatrical stages of The Great White Way. Expect plenty of show tunes and pyrotechnic tributes to special Broadway shows that have become American favorites.

"Zambelli Internationale is back providing the best fireworks in the business," said Wayne Hettinger, Thunder Over Louisville director. "For many years they have helped us engineer a show that we are confident will be magical for the entire family. This year’s show will be particularly memorable, as it will be the first not witnessed by the late George Zambelli Sr., the legendary leader of the ‘First Family of Fireworks,’ who passed away last Christmas Day. The show will feature a special tribute to George and his legacy."

The Festival offers the following advice for enjoying the day-long event:

There is plenty of free public viewing along the wharf in downtown Louisville, Waterfront Park and along River Road. Pick a spot that has a clear view of the Second Street Bridge for seeing Thunder’s signature fireworks waterfall off the bridge.  Park as far away from the venue as you can comfortably walk for easiest access out after the show.  Follow police traffic direction to “Go with the Flow” using express routes out of the downtown area.  

Traveling with children:  Enjoy the view from the Great Lawn in Waterfront Park.   The kids can take advantage of the playground equipment and an expanded kids area.  It will feature activities including:  bounces, a rock-climbing wall, mazes, slides and gyro machines. Some are free and some are small “pay for play” fees.

Live entertainment:  Peace in the Jones performs on the Budweiser True Music Talent Stage from 2 PM – 11 PM, inside the Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park.  Admission is Pegasus Pin ($3 sponsorship pin available at the gate).

Things to do: 

• Arcade & cocktail lounge inside the new LEO Lounge at the Chow Wagon.  Featuring drink specials, including the “Thundernator.”
• The US Army Experience will be on the South Great Lawn featuring a tank simulator, night vision display and NASCAR show car. 
• The US Marine Corps Chin-up Challenge will also be on hand. 
• Along Third St. at River Road, the US Army National Guard will have an interactive display of multiple military transports, M1-Abrams tanks and Humvees.
• In addition, the Kentucky Air National Guard will have a static display of a BlackHawk helicopter and a race car.

Hungry?  Food Fest opens at 11 am at the Waterfront Chow Wagon, Thunder Beer Garden at the Belvedere and booths along River Road.  Vending opportunities were also expanded in Southern Indiana.

Looking for a beer garden:  Visit one of the only two areas for beer vending in the event venue, the Waterfront Park Chow Wagon or Belvedere Beer Garden.  Admission is a Pegasus Pin ($3 sponsorship pin available at the gate).  No coolers, cans, bottle, pets or lawn chairs in the Chow Wagons.

Other highlights include:

• The Courier-Journal will once again produce a Thunder Program, complete with facts about the aircraft. Look for them on sale at the venue.
• NEW LEO Lounge!  This new area at the Waterfront Chow Wagon provides a relaxing atmosphere in a cocktail setting where patrons can wind down.  The Lounge will be open for Thunder complete with drink specials, couches, a bar, and a pool table.
• New drink called the Thundernator – a Long Island Iced Tea with a twist.
• Thunder will again be the site for a successful program that debuted last year - Derby Festival Pin Trading. Pin enthusiasts can purchase a variety of Pegasus Pins at the venue to collect or trade. There will be five 2004 Pegasus Pin designs, one of which features Thunder Over Louisville.
• Local NBC-affiliate, WAVE 3 TV will offer the exclusive television coverage of the event in a day-long broadcast with special reporting from the Command Center, 2nd Street Bridge Fireworks loading area and firing barges, Waterfront Park, Belvedere and more.
• More than 100 aircraft will fill a six and half hour air show with civilian aerial performances, skydiving acts, military aircraft from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines and exciting demo teams.  The popular Bill Leff Night Show returns with its after dusk performance including aerial fireworks.

Thunder Over Louisville - the Derby Festival's Opening Ceremonies - is one of the more than seventy events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 325 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two-week period and has a local economic impact of more than $93 million. Thunder alone contributes $31 million of that estimate to both sides of the Ohio River.  This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.