The Best Place to Watch the Annual "Thunder Over Louisville" Fireworks Display

The skyline in Louisville Kentucky erupts in a thousand rainbows of color as fireworks fill the downtown waterfront area. All of the spectators are huddled together like sardines, with wide eyes and open mouths as they watch the spectacular firework display. And just when you think it's about over thunder erupts again as another spectacular display of fireworks fills the Louisville skyline. This is a firework show that feeds the senses, both sight and sound.

Thunder over Louisville is the largest annual fireworks display in North America. What started as your average firework show back in 1990 at Redbird stadium has now grown to one of the top 100 rated events in the United States. You can check out more information at www.thunderoverlouisville.org to get the latest details on the next event. Thunder has been drawing a crowd of well over 600.000 people since the mid 1990's. But, getting a prime seat for this show takes just a little more than showing up an hour or so before the fireworks begin.

Thunder kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville where over 60 events lead up to the Kentucky Derby in May. Since the beginning of Thunder, Louisville's waterfront has been completely redone to accommodate the growing numbers of spectators for the show. Over sixty million dollars was spent on the waterfront which makes the Louisville skyline shine in beauty as the fireworks are bursting over the second street bridge. This bridge; also known as the Clark Memorial is closed down for this event, as the bridge also plays a part of the event.

Thunder over Louisville showcases the master of pyrotechnics. The fireworks which are provided by Zambelli Fireworks International are launched from eight four hundred foot barges and also the second street bridge lighting up the skyline of Louisville like daytime. So, getting a good seat for this event takes a little planning and also some time.

A huge air show is also included in the show throughout the day as everyone awaits the fireworks. Over 100 airplanes are included in the air show such as: the B-2 spirit, the Hornets, and also the Warthogs. The air show also includes sky-diving and aerobatic teams that fill the day awaiting the fireworks.

This year's show is Saturday April 18th and the theme for the show is "Thunder Road." The show is scheduled for 28 minutes of mind-boggling and breathtaking fireworks. I've went to Thunder over Louisville many years and this is one firework show not to miss.

Seeing the entire show (including the air show) is an all day outing. The air show begins at 3.pm and continues with fly-bys and continuous entertainment until the fireworks start at 9:30pm. The waterfront begins to fill quickly as choice spots under the second street bridge and beyond are gathered up by thousands of spectators. Obtaining a good spot along the shoreline is no trouble if you get there early.

Of course the best place to see the show is downtown Louisville on the shoreline, but there's also other options. Across the bridge in Indiana is also some prime real-estate for the show, but you also need to arrive early to get a good seat. Away from downtown Louisville on River road is also another option to avoid some of the downtown traffic. There are also on-ramps to the interstates on River Road. So, if you're not from this area get a local map, or go on-line to obtain the information which is needed to plan your getaway after the big show.

Although the view is not the same as downtown the show is still quite spectacular from a short distance. Traveling up Market Street to east Main Street is also a good place to view the show from a distance. The crowds are smaller and it's also easier with a family; especially with young children. You have to keep in mind that this firework show fills up the entire Louisville downtown skyline; so a short distance away from the big crowd might be just what you're looking for.

But, if you still want to be right downtown to see the fireworks the best option is to arrive early (before noon) and park as far away from the event as you can. Many on-ramps to the interstates are in the Louisville downtown area, and these prime parking spots usually go pretty quick. But this is the easy part, leaving the show is a different matter completely.

Park along any of the north south streets such as: First Street, Second Street, Third Street and so on. Keep as far away from Main Street as you can because this is where all of the action takes place. Enjoy your walk as you trek north towards the riverfront area. Parking along these streets such as: First Street, Second Street and so on gives you easier access to the on ramps for the interstates.

Do not park on side streets (streets that run east and west) as these streets will be barricaded during the show; so a quick exit is out of the question if you park here. When you arrive on the huge waterfront area pick out a spot and make yourself comfortable because this going to be a long day of events. If you have young children be aware of the massive number of spectators attending this event. Also keep in mind of the changing temperatures of the day and the night, as sometimes it's still rather cool in April.

Everyone needs to at least see this show once in their lifetime. This is fireworks at its very best. It's hard to describe to someone who has never been there. Your peripheral vision is filled with color as the show begins. You turn your head from side to side trying to encompass the full spectrum of the fireworks. Then, when you feel downtown Louisville shake from the blast of the fireworks you soon realize why it's called "Thunder over Louisville."

Just enjoy the show and the day in Louisville. Don't get in any hurry when you leave the show because you're going to be there awhile. Traffic is "always" heavy downtown after the show. One year it took us three hours just to get out of the downtown area. It's just a lot of people trying to leave at the same time; so sit back relax, and be patient.

Now, being a native of Louisville and seeing "Thunder" for many years in person we've chosen our own option; watching it at home on the couch on the wide screen TV. The local stations in Louisville provide excellent coverage of the entire day of Thunder. The choices are yours to make, so make good ones. Either choice you make will be enjoyable because: Thunder over Louisville is the crème de la crème of fireworks. The Discovery channel stated on a documentary that "Thunder is the Grand-daddy of them all."

Source of information: www.thunderoverlouisville.org