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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 Fantasy...A 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 | "Thunder Rocks" Thundernator: Robinson Brown, Jr., 1957 Derby Festival Chairman |
| 2006 | "Thunder Country" Thundernators: World War II veteran Bruce Voges and Allison Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Internal Communications and Public Liaison |
| 2007 | "The Magic of Thunder" 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 |
| 2011 | "Thunder Power" Thundernators: Medal of Honor recipients Hershel "Woody" Williams and Don Jenkins |
