What's the theme for 2024 Thunder Over Louisville? Here's your complete guide

Thunder Over Louisville returns on Saturday, April 20 bringing one of the nation's top fireworks displays and air shows to Louisville's Waterfront Park.

The theme for the 35th Thunder Over Louisville is "Celebrating Derby 150." It commemorates the entire Derby season from Thunder Over Louisville, which serves as the “Opening Ceremonies” of the Kentucky Derby Festival, to the Kentucky Derby annually held on the first Saturday in May.

Special Derby nods will be incorporated into Thunder Over Louisville, including the “Call to the Post” in the Thunder soundtrack.

This year marks the 35th production of Thunder Over Louisville, one of the more than 70 events produced by the Kentucky Derby Festival each spring.

“Thunder has become more than fireworks and an air show over the last three decades. It’s an annual rite of spring in Kentucky, a signature attraction for tourism in Louisville and the Bluegrass State, and an event that unites our entire community along the banks of both sides of the Ohio River,” Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival president and CEO said in a news release.

The Kentucky Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people every spring and has a local economic impact of more than $56 million.

Here are the details you'll want to know when planning your Thunder Over Louisville experience.

When is Thunder Over Louisville 2024?

The fireworks and air show take place on Saturday, April 20.

Where is Thunder Over Louisville 2024?

Public viewing areas stretch from 8th Street to Clay Street north of Main Street in Kentucky, and along Riverside Drive from Ashland Park in Clarksville to Spring Street in Jeffersonville, Indiana, according to kdf.org. The Chow Wagon and Waterfront Park and North Great Lawn at Waterfront Park offer front-row seats to the show.

What time are the fireworks for Thunder Over Louisville?

On Thunder Day, the FoodFest and Thunder On the Ground open at 11 a.m., the air show starts at 3 p.m., the drone show is at 9 p.m., and the Zambelli Fireworks show choreographed to an original soundtrack, will blast off at 9:30 p.m.

“As you can imagine, over the past 35 years, there has been a tremendous amount of music chosen to develop the Thunder soundtrack. Our challenge has always been to keep it exciting and powerful while incorporating new music trends,” Wayne Hettinger, producer of Thunder Over Louisville, said in the release. “The pace of this year’s soundtrack is a mix of current music that guarantees to make you weak in the knees and looking for something to hang on to for the finale.”

The fireworks show will wrap up about 10 p.m.

What's the theme for Thunder Over Louisville 2024?

In honor of the 150th Kentucky Derby, the 2024 theme for Thunder Over Louisville is "Celebrating Derby 150.”

Where is the best place to watch Thunder Over Louisville?

Fans often ask where to find the best spot to watch the massive fireworks show.

"I say it's anywhere you can see the Second Street Bridge," Hettinger said. Besides fireworks being launched from a barge in the middle of the Ohio River, the Second Street bridge is loaded with fireworks, which creates a waterfall of color during the show.

What do I need to know about the Thunder Over Louisville Airshow?

The 2024 airshow begins at 3 p.m. on April 20 at Waterfront Park. The festival is planning another packed air show featuring both military and civilian aircraft. Highlights include The Air Force Viper Demo and Heritage Flight; Air Force C-17 Demo (with an aerial refueling demonstration); Navy Growler with Legacy Flight; U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue; Matt Younkin’s “Magic by Moonlight” performance; vintage champion air racer “Mr Mulligan:” Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Demo, as well as numerous aerobatic routines and unique custom aircraft in formation and upon the water.

Additionally, international partners like the Canadian CF-18s and German A400 “Grizzly” will be part of the 2024 show.

Spectators will witness flybys from the B-52, a flight of Kentucky Air National Guard C-130s and numerous rotary aircraft, including a helicopter infiltration and extraction demo accomplished by the Kentucky Army National Guard and the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron.

More details about the 2024 Thunder Air Show will be released closer to the event date.

Will there be a drone show at Thunder Over Louisville?

You bet there will be a drone show. The fourth annual Drone Show powered by LG&E is another highlight of the 2024 show. Starting at 9 p.m., the drone show will light up the nighttime sky with unique formations as they fly over the Ohio River just before the fireworks begin.

How do I get to Thunder Over Louisville?

As part of its partnership to make the Kentucky Derby Festival accessible to the entire community, Humana will sponsor free rides to Thunder Over Louisville in partnership with TARC. More information on the free fare day will be released in the coming weeks.

What else can I do at Thunder Over Louisville?

The Meijer Family Fun Zone returns to its location at the Big Four Lawn and offers a prime viewing space filled with family activities.

How can I watch or listen to Thunder Over Louisville at home?

Thunder Over Louisville's 2024 official broadcast partners are WDRB television and MIX 106.9 radio.

How can I get a front-row seat at Thunder Over Louisville?

For fans looking for a front-row seat to the show, tickets are on sale for the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Thunder VIP Rooftop Party presented by Kentucky Proud. The viewing party is held at Waterside Parking Garage Rooftop, 201 North Brook St.

Tickets are $200 per person and can be purchased at ThunderOverLouisville.org. Admission includes premium viewing, Kentucky Proud cuisine, local and regional beers, specialty cocktails, private restrooms and more.

Who sponsors Thunder Over Louisville?

Caesars Southern Indiana, Humana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS are back again in 2024 as presenting sponsors of Thunder Over Louisville.

“We are especially grateful for the generous support of our sponsors who come back year after year to allow us to produce this one-of-a-kind event that helps us kick off the Derby Festival season,” Gibson said.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Thunder Over Louisville 2024 guide. Everything you need to know.