Thunder Over Louisville

THUNDER THEMES

What started with 3000 shells at a local stadium is now the nation's largest annual fireworks extravaganza held at the junction of two states at a bend in the Ohio River. The addition of a special theme in 1994 gave the producers a way to incorporate a special musical score to the pyrotechnics. The themes also give each Thunder a unique flavor. And since the beginning, all shows have included a special salute to America.

1990	Opening Ceremonies of Derby Festival
1991	"Thunder Over Louisville" used for fireworks only.
1992	Celebrating KY's Bicentennial year, "Celebrate Kentucky"
1993	Derby Festival Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville
1994	"Phantom of the Opera"
1995	"An American Thunder"
1996	"A Hollywood Thunder "
1997	"A Wild Blue Thunder" salutes the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force
1998	"A Thunder FantasyÂA Celebration of Children"
1999	"The Best of Thunder" 10th Anniversary
2000	" A Millennium Thunder" Thundernator: Matt Marks
2001	" A Festival Odyssey" Thundernators: Hand transplant recipients: Matthew Scott and Jerry Fisher Launch Director Jim Harrington of NASA
2002	" A Stars & Strips Thunder" Thundernators: Col. Donnie Storm - KY Army National Guard and Col. Mike Hardin - KY Air National Guard
2003	"Centennial of Flight" Thundernator: Sherry Callahan - F-15 Demo Team Pilot
2004	"A Broadway Thunder"
2005	ÂThunder RocksÂ Thundernator: Robinson Brown, Jr., 1957 Derby Festival Chairman
2006	"Thunder Country
2007	ÂThe Magic of ThunderÂ Thundernators: WWII Veteran Morris Washington and David Garrard of the Louisville Magic Club
2008	"Out of This World" Thundernator: NASA Commander Peggy Whitson and Astronaut Garrett Reisman in the International Space Station
2009	"Thunder Road" Thundernator: U.S. Army Sergeant Bryan Anderson, who was severely wounded in Iraq in 2005
2010	"Thunder Fever: May Increase Heart Rate" Thundernator - UPS pilot Brian Duffy, founder and President of Honor Flight - Bluegrass Chapter