Thunder Over Louisville Dos and Don'ts

The Kentucky Derby Festival officially kicks off Saturday with Thunder Over Louisville. The annual fireworks show is the largest in United States, drawing in upwards of 850,000 people to the Louisville Waterfront.

It’s an exciting event, but with so many people gathering in one space, you need to plan ahead to make sure it’s a rewarding experience, not one spent waiting in traffic. It all begins with the Air Show at 3 pm. Fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:30 pm and last for 30 minutes. Admission is free, but you will need a $7 Pegasus Pin to access certain areas. Here is what else you need to know before you go to Thunder Over Louisville.

DO: Prepare for a Messy Waterfront

Thunder Over Louisville is at its best when the weather cooperates. Forecasters are currently calling for partly cloudy skies with a high in the low 60s. However, it’s raining Friday night in Louisville. The ground at Waterfront Park will be oversaturated with water. Add in a couple hundred thousand people and it will be a mess. Do yourself a favor and keep those fancy sneakers at home.

In addition to the fancy sneakers, a long-sleeved jacket appears to be a must. Even though it will be in 60s at times during the day, temps will drop below 50 when the sun goes down. Be smart, dress for the weather.

DON’T: Bring Certain Items with You

• Weapons
• Drones
• Tents or canopies of any kind
• Stakes (for said tents)
• Tape, rope or pennant lines
• No glass bottles are allowed at the event site.
• No bikes, skateboards or skates are allowed in the event venue. You will be asked to walk them in for pedestrian safety.
• Do yourself a favor and leave your pets at home.
• Due to increased security – all persons and parcels are subject to search.

DO: Bring Food and Refreshments to Thunder Over Louisville

There are plenty of food and drink vendors available, but come on, you can’t lean on them all day. Picnic blankets and outside food and drinks are permitted. Make some sandwiches, grab a few bags of chips and ice down some refreshments to make sure you don’t spend an arm and a leg while enjoying a spring Saturday preparing for Thunder Over Louisville.

This is the part of the post where I’m supposed to tell you that outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the Waterfront Park. However, if you’re being discreet and responsible the LMPD will not throw you in the gulag.

DO: Park Far, Far Away

There are about 55,000 parking spaces on the street free to use. That may seem like a lot. But to be frank, the biggest reason why locals do not consistently attend Thunder Over Louisville is the hassle of getting in and out of Thunder Over Louisville.

There’s no secret to finding the perfect parking spot, but the further you park away, the easier it will be to get in and out of town.

The Second Street Bridge will be closed all day and Kennedy Bridge (I-65) is off limits from about 5-10 pm. If you’re trying to cross state lines, just take the East End Bridge or use the Sherman Minton.

As for more specific road closures, there are a lot. The Courier-Journal has them all listed, but this map of how LMPD will be directing traffic after the fireworks’ show paints a clearer picture.

DON’T: Leave Before Thunder Over Louisville is Over

Nobody wants to sit in traffic on their way home. Rushing out five minutes early isn’t going to make that big of a difference. If you spent an entire afternoon on the Louisville Waterfront, you’re not fully rewarding yourself by bolting before the grand finale.

Get your bags packed as the show begins. Marvel at the drones and the fireworks, then take off as soon as it concludes. Or treat it like a big football win, crack open a drink and hang out until the traffic dissipates.

DO: Have a Wonderful Derby Season

Thunder Over Louisville means the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports are almost here. Happy Derby!