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Thunder Over Louisville

Rated as one of the top 100 events in North America and the kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival, Thunder Over Louisville will be held Saturday, April 22, attracting more than 500,000 people for the largest annual fireworks show in the U.S.

During this daylong event, people gather hours prior at Waterfront Park and all along the river on both sides of Kentucky and Indiana for the 3 p.m. air show, followed by 30 minutes of fireworks over the Ohio River at 9:30 p.m.

For the first time ever, the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels will appear, flying F-22 Raptor fighter planes, which can attain speeds in excess of 1,600 miles per hour. The air show also includes numerous civilian and military acts including Lima Lima, Trojan Horseman, Bill Leff Nightshow, Apache Helicopters, F-15 and F-16 Demo Teams, and more than 100 planes, aerobatics teams, daring sky diving, and breathtaking stunts.

The fireworks display features a choreographed musical soundtrack themed “Thunder Country,” a tribute to country and western music. Eight 400-foot barges assemble on both sides of the Second Street Bridge for spectacular fireworks, including the breathtaking “waterfall” display off the bridge.

The event is free to the public. Food and drink vendors are located along the river. Free parking is available in many downtown garages and off-street, but perhaps the easiest way to get there is to take a Thunder Day TARC bus (go online to www.ridetarc.org for info and fee).

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a jacket. You can bring a cooler with plastic bottles and food, along with blankets and chairs to camp out along the waterfront. No cans, bottles, alcoholic beverages, bikes, skateboards, skates, or pets are allowed.

For more information, go online to www.thunderoverlouisville.org.

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