LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's the largest annual fireworks event, and one of the five largest airshow events, in the U.S. Over 850,000 people are expected to attend as Thunder Over Louisville makes its roaring return Saturday, April 23.
With record crowds expected and beautiful weather forecasted, we've got a host of tips for Thunder Over Louisville success.
What You Need To Know
- Thunder Over Louisville kicks off Saturday afternoon
- Parking and traffic are often the most headache-inducing aspects of Thunder
- Getting there early and parking far away are great ways to save time on the way home
- It's also a good idea to bring plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated all day
Parking tips
Officials say it's best to get there early and park far away.
Parking as far away as you can comfortably walk, no matter which side of the river you're celebrating from, is a great way to save time on the way home. Once the fireworks end, hundreds of thousands of people will be on the roads to get home, and the further away you are from the crunch, the better off you are.
LMPD said there are 52,000 parking spaces in downtown Louisville within a 10-block walk to the waterfront. For those ditching cars, TARC is offering free routes on Saturday to shuttle people into the downtown area.
Another way to avoid the crunch of traffic is to stick around for a bit after the show and enjoy the festivities.
"As you know, thunder traffic tends to be an issue and this year will prove to be no differently. We’re very well prepared for it," said Matt Gibson with the Kentucky Derby Festival. "But we are kind of asked people to linger after the show. All of the concessions, the Midway rides, all of those. When everybody rushes to get it out, that’s what creates the crunch."
Road and bridge closures
Many roads in Louisville will be closed during and shortly after Thunder. The Second Street Bridge will remain closed until Sunday afternoon. The Big Four pedestrian bridge will be closed until midnight on Sunday.
You can find more information on street closures and no parking areas here.
Things to avoid
Derby Festival organizers advise against bringing drones, tents or skateboards to official areas along the Kentucky side of the river. Those rules may differ in private areas for those celebrating in Southern Indiana.
If you're biking down to the waterfront, be prepared to lock it up before watching the big show.
Grills and pets are not allowed in Kentucky Derby Festival areas.
Bring the blankets
Blankets and lawn chairs are allowed and encouraged at Waterfront Park. You can bring all the outside food or drinks as you want, but there will be a slew of food trucks on site if you don't want to lug around a cooler.
It's also a good idea to bring a blanket due to the temperature change in the evening. It'll get cooler when the sun goes down, so having a blanket or extra layers at your disposal is wise.
Have fun and be safe!
Most importantly, you should have a good time at Thunder! Enjoy the air show and fireworks display with your crew. If you plan on drinking, designate a safe driver to get everyone home safely.
Ear plugs are recommended for small children or those with sensitive ears. Be ready for large crowds and lots of people, and have patience when walking around.
Since it'll be sunny with mid-80s for the high, bring lots of sunscreen for your family and stay hydrated all day!
It's always good to familiarize yourself with where EMS, Lost Child Stations, and General First Aid services are located. Find some more Thunder day tips at the official website.
Entrance to Waterfront Park requires a Pegasus Pin, which costs $6 ahead of time or $7 at the gate. The air show starts at 3 p.m. and fireworks should start popping off at 9:30 p.m.