LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Get ready, Kentucky. There’s just 51 days and counting until Thunder Over Louisville returns to the Waterfront with one of the nation’s top air shows and largest fireworks displays. Festival officials announced details about the show in a news release Thursday, including the unveiling of the 2022 theme—“The Legend Returns.”
The 33rd annual show is set for Saturday, April 23. Presenting sponsors of the show include Caesars Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer, and UPS, as well as a new presenting sponsor—Humana. In addition to the presenting sponsors, Ford Motor Company returns as title sponsor of Ford’s Thunder on the Ground.
“We can’t wait to be back at the waterfront for Thunder Over Louisville this year and celebrate one of our favorite traditions together again,” said Matt Gibson, the Kentucky Derby Festival president and CEO, in the news release. “It’s thanks to the support from our sponsors, especially through the past couple of years, that we can continue producing events like Thunder for the community to enjoy.”
The 2022 Thunder Air Show will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force with a packed line-up of military and civilian aircraft.
Scheduled performances include the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo, U.S. Air Force C-17 Demo, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, the Kentucky Air National Guard 123rd Airlift Wing with the new C-130J, the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29, B-24, and B-25, the U.S. Navy E/A-18 Growler Demo with a Legacy Flight, Younkin Airshows and many more.
The air show also returns with a Category 1 aerobatic box, which allows for more of the fast and loud aircraft, as well as the demo teams. More details on the 2022 Thunder Air Show will be released closer to the show date.
Thunder's fireworks show is choreographed to an original soundtrack each year. Zambelli Fireworks will design the show again in 2022 as they have in previous years. On Thunder Day, the FoodFest and Ford’s Thunder On the Ground open at 11:00 a.m., the air show starts at 3:00 p.m. and fireworks roll at 9:30 p.m.
“It’s going to be phenomenal! You’ll see the best air equipment this country has on Thunder Day,” said Wayne Hettinger, Thunder Producer, in the release. “The soundtrack is going to set the mood for the entire fireworks show and this year’s music is like nothing we’ve ever done before.”
For fans who want a front-row seat to the show, tickets are now on sale for the Thunder VIP Rooftop Party Presented by Number Juan Tequila. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased on Thunder Over Louisville’s website. Tickets include premium viewing, appetizers and derby-inspired cuisine, specialty cocktails and more.
Thunder Over Louisville is one of over 70 events produced by the Kentucky Derby Festival in the spring.