Kentucky Derby Festival Kickoff: Thunder Over Louisville

In my hometown we have what is arguably the most famous horse racing event in the world; the Kentucky Derby. For generations, horse breeders and trainers have pinned their hopes and dreams on this one two-minute shot at fame and glory. Celebrities from around the world have come to Louisville to see and be seen at this event. But the race itself is just one of many events that have grown to surround it. There are dozens of events in the Kentucky Derby Festival. There are parades, dinners and picnics, all kinds of races; foot races, bed races, a hot-air balloon race, a steamboat race, even a race for waiters carrying goblets of wine on trays (The Run for the Rose'); in fact, there is honestly something for every taste crammed into this festival.

The kickoff for all this is Thunder Over Louisville, the biggest fireworks display in North America! I've been fascinated by fireworks ever since I saw my first bottle rocket at only two or three years of age. There is really nothing to compare with this one. It's the culmination of an all day event that starts out with an air show. The air show itself is worth going to see, even if nothing followed after. There are planes that span almost the entire history of flight, from the bi-wings of yesterday to top-of-the-line stealth fighters and bombers. And planes are not all, either; we've seen Coast Guard rescue helicopters and Apache helicopters, hovering in formation in front of us. There have been parachutists and wing-walkers in the show, and demonstrations by assault units.

Once the sun goes down, and you can no longer see the airplanes, the light show begins. It starts out small, with a spotlight on our nation's flag moving slowly up the river. Then there will be a single plane doing tricks while leaving a trail of sparklers and small fireworks. After that, the thunder begins to roll and for the next half-an-hour you stand in awe. There is so much to see that you don't know where to look. We have a mile-long waterfall of fire, there are some that look like the fountain displays of Las Vegas, except that they're fireworks, there are the huge rockets that go hundreds of feet high and explode into more colors and shapes than I could name, there have been cannons on the bridges. All of the time it's going on it continues to build, bigger and bigger, louder and brighter and more dazzling, until you can actually feel the ground shaking beneath your feet. There is nothing like it and it gets bigger and better every year.

I've watched it many times and I've sat in various places on both sides of the river. I can honestly say that there is not a bad seat for this one. There are people who live twenty miles from the downtown area, and they can see and hear this show. For me, the best seat anywhere has been on the Great Lawn. Early in the morning I'll park several blocks away and walk to the river. I'll pick a spot and set up a lawn chair to watch the planes. I usually bring my lunch with me and buy dinner from one of the many vendors. When it gets dark, I fold up my chair and watch the show. Afterward, by the time I walk back to my car, most of the traffic has cleared and I have no trouble getting home. For those who prefer it, and have the means, there are high-rise hotels, at least one of which is right at the water's edge. You can rent a room and have a Thunder party, with the show going on right outside your window. I understand this is very popular and the rooms for this night must be booked well in advance. Either way, if you only go to see one fireworks show in your life, this is the one to see.