Thunder Over Louisville 2011: North America's Largest Fireworks Display
Each year, Thunder Over Louisville, North America's largest fireworks display and the official kick-off to the Kentucky Derby Festival, draws more than a half-million people. Indeed, it's the largest annual event in the entire region! Sixty tons of fireworks are launched in the 28-minute show. The annual Thunder Over Louisville fireworks display is so massive that it can be viewed just about anywhere in downtown Louisville and on the Southern Indiana waterfront.
Zambelli Internationale, the premier fireworks company in America, uses eight 400-foot barges on both sides of the Ohio River's Second Street Bridge to launch the pyrotechnics. Thunder Over Louisville even has its own signature fireworks effect: a long-lasting two-mile "waterfall" of fireworks off the Second Street Bridge that's best viewed within sight of the bridge, of course.
Thunder Over Louisville officially launches the Kentucky Derby Festival, which consists of more than 70 events packed into the two weeks before the Kentucky Derby, always held on the first Saturday in May.
With so many attending, Thunder Over Louisville generates $31 million for the Louisville area on its one day, according to the Kentucky Derby Festival, which puts on the show.
Thunder Over Louisville always takes place, rain or shine. The fireworks display is rebroadcast on July 4 on the American Forces Network, where it is viewed by 1 million soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, their dependents and Department of Defense civilians stationed in 176 countries and aboard 140 Navy ships.
The Thunder Air Show precedes the fireworks display, with breathtaking sky-diving displays and continuous performances, awe-inspiring stunts and fly-bys by 60 military and civilian aircraft.
With more than 500,000 attending, parking is nightmarish. If at all possible, take the bus. If you must drive, here is a list of public parking garages within a 10-block radius of the Second Street Bridge. For those viewing from a boat in the Ohio River, bear in mind that a no wake zone will be in effect from Ohio River Mile 604.3 (Portland Canal) through Mile 598.0 (Six Mile Island). Boats will be held 100 yards upriver of the Big Four Railroad Bridge.
The Kentucky Derby Festival provides portable toilets along River Road, and Waterfront Park has its own bathroom facilities.
HelloLouisville Tip: There are plenty of free places to watch Thunder Over Louisville this year, but if you're looking to splurge for a venue with indoor restrooms and events before and after the show, there are plenty of waterfront businesses offering paid packages for those wanting to watch the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks in style.
Posted on Apr 7, 2011 by Ivonne Rovira
