The Business of Fun

The Kentucky Derby Festival is only a monthlong celebration, but its impact on the local community is felt year-round. Thunder produces an estimated impact of $114 million for the local economy on both sides of the Ohio River. For these and many other reasons, the Festival remains committed to producing such an important community asset.

The Festival would not be able to produce such a far-reaching economic impact on the community without the unwavering support of its corporate sponsors and other sources of revenue.

Along with our presenting sponsors – Caesars Southern Indiana, Ford Motor Company, LG&E, Meijer, UA Local 502, and UPS – local businesses throughout Kentuckiana can help us make this year’s Thunder great!

If you have questions or need more information on becoming a Thunder Funder, please contact the Kentucky Derby Festival at 502-584-FEST.

2026 Thunder Show Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors:
Caesars Southern Indiana, Ford Motor Company, LG&E, Meijer, UA Local 502 and UPS
Military Zone Sponsor: KCS Foundation and Waterproofing 
Official Health Care Provider: UofL Health
Official Bourbon: Four Roses Bourbon
Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel
Official Soccer Partner: Lynn Family Stadium
Supporting Sponsor: Clark Material Handling Company
Official Golf Cart Sponsor: UA Local 502
Official Broadcast Partners: MIX 106.9 and WLKY

Check Out These Businesses Who Support Thunder as Thunder Funders!

Alliant Technologies LLC
Axis Investments, LLC
Back to the Arcade
Beacon Credit Union
Cadillac/Courtesy Cadillac
Calhoun Construction Services Inc
Coca Cola Consolidated
Cornerstone Group
Clark Material Handling Company
Crushed Ice Catering
Digital EFX
East & Westbrook Construction
Four Roses Bourbon
Franklin Pest Solutions
Gamerz Truck
Heuser Hearing Institute
Hotel Bourre Bonne
Jefferson Animal Hospital
Joe’s Crab Shack
KCS Foundation & Waterproofing
Kentucky Lottery
Kentucky Office of Highway Safety
Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
Kentucky Proud
Kentucky Science Center
Khalil’s Catering
King + Company + Peoples Bank
KingFish Restaurants
Ladyfingers Catering
Leafguard of Louisville
Louisville Bats
Louisville Indiana Railroad Bridge
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Louisville Pride Foundation
Louisville City FC / Racing Louisville FC
Louisville Tourism
Luzianne Tea
Main Event
Muhammad Ali Center
Navy Federal Credit Union
Nimlock Kentucky
PPL Therapeutic Services, PLLC
Papa Johns
PDS Optical
Red Bull North America
Riverside Parking
Shepherd Insurance
SummitMedia Louisville
T-Mobile
Tempo by Hilton Louisville NuLu
Texas Roadhouse
The Fillies, Inc.
The Galt House Hotel
The Jefferson
Twelve Thirteen Apparel by Synergism
Upland Brewing Jeffersonville
UofL Health
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Army
U.S. Navy
Valero
WLKY
ZEON Zoeller Pump Company