History Thunder Over Louisville

2006 show upstream side of bridge on indiana shore of ohio river

thunder on louisville began concept @ kentucky derby festival workshop in summer of 1988, after decision had been made have opening ceremonies first time.

the first opening ceremonies held in 1989 @ chow wagon on river , broadcast live re off! luncheon crowd @ galt house east. organized multimedia producer wayne hettinger, owner of visual presentations, featured live stage show introduce festival theme song , release of 20,000 multicolored balloons — followed daytime fireworks. attendance estimated @ 10,000.

the first nighttime fireworks show in 1990 @ cardinal stadium in kentucky exposition center, more 35,000 people attended derby festival opening ceremonies concert janie fricke , 4,000-shell fireworks show following sold out louisville redbirds baseball game.

fireworks had been used in derby festivities since 1960s, positive impact of fireworks on concert—particularly echoing sound—led firework show s name when held following year on ohio river.

in 1991 event moved waterfront park, , zambelli fireworks internationale s master pyrotechnician lorenzo alfredi began handling fireworks. air show began in 1992, , has featured such notable aircraft harrier, b-2 (stealth bomber), , f-117 (stealth fighter) apache attack helicopter.

the event expanded rapidly in scale , attendance; 1996 more shells exploded in first minute in entire 1990 show. in 1997, air force designated thunder on louisville 1 of events 50th anniversary celebration. more 125 military aircraft performed year, making largest combined fireworks , air show in united states.

2006 show seen kentucky side of ohio river

the event relies heavily on corporate donations. in 2000, when kroger pulled out after 10 years of sponsorship, kentucky derby festival left scrambling money. announced thunder funder program, in individuals can make small donations. in 2006, mcdonald s announced title sponsor thunder funder , donate 10 cents sale of every 32-ounce drink in commemorative cup derby festival. promotion continued until 2014. in 2015, restaurant chain pledged $100,000 event.

the fireworks show has grown in size , scope every year, on 52,000 shells used in 2004, , 60,000 in 2005. fireworks show lasts 30 minutes. there traditionally 3-minute finale organizers call name gargantuan. preceded short break in fireworks , audio score of colonel bogey march whistled in movie bridge on river kwai , catching first time spectators, believe show has ended, surprise.

the 2007 event had record crowd, size estimated @ 850,000 event producer. such counts not include thousands of people watch area rooftops @ thunder parties held individuals proximity advantaged addresses in downtown, old louisville, portland , butchertown neighborhood upriver downtown, river adjacent neighborhoods in indiana communities of clarksville , jeffersonville.

in 2010, computer glitch 30 seconds before fireworks during pre-recorded minute long audio countdown fireworks caused 18-minute delay while problem troubleshooted.