Many happy returns: Thunder Over Louisville welcomed back after a 2025 absence

By RUSS BROWN 

April is the month the Kentucky Derby Festival shifts into high gear with the bulk of over 70 events leading up to the Kentucky Derby. No event is more anticipated than Thunder Over Louisville, and that is even more the case this year because 24 months have passed since the last fireworks and air show extravaganza lit up the waterfront. 

Due to heavy rain and record-breaking flood levels, the 2025 festivities were canceled. But Thunder will return on April 18 to light up the Louisville skyline and reclaim its status as Kentucky’s most popular event outside of the Derby, which will be run on May 2 for the 152nd time. 

The theme last year for one of the largest fireworks displays and top air shows in the country was supposed to be “Happy Thunder: It’s Glow Time! With America approaching its milestone 250th anniversary, the theme for this year’s event is “Thunder in the U.S.A.” 

“When Thunder returns it will do more than kick off the Derby Festival season, it will bring our community together in a way only Thunder can,” Matt Gibson, KDF President and CEO said in a release. 

Last year was actually the second cancellation within the last five years; it wasn’t held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be the 37th production of Thunder for the Festival, which began operations in 1956. 

More than 150 Festival events, programs and promotions entertain more than 1.5 million people every spring and have an economic impact of over $200 million, with Thunder alone generating an estimated $114 million while attracting 600,000 or more enthusiastic fans from all over the U.S. 

A Festival news release describes this year’s day-long affair as showcasing a patriotic spirit that can be seen in the air show, heard in the fireworks soundtrack and felt in the energy of the crowd. Military partners have supported Thunder Over Louisville for more than three decades, with participation across the U.S. Armed Forces. This year’s “Thunder in the U.S.A.” will set the tone for bold red, white and blue moments from start to finish. 

“Since the finale is the moment that everyone waits for in a fireworks show, we have always designed Thunder to be a 30-minute finale starting with the very first spark in the sky,” said Wayne Hettinger, Producer of Thunder. “And just when you think it can’t get any bigger, we add a finale on top of the finale. That’s what makes Thunder so special and one-of-a-kind.” 

Ford Motor Company makes its debut as the sixth Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 show, joining Caesars Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer, UA Local 502 and UPS, which has been a Presenting Sponsor for 36 consecutive years and returns to support the Festival’s opening ceremonies. Caesars has been a partner since opening in Southern Indiana and is back for the 27th straight year. LG&E returns for the 20th year and also sponsors the Festival’s Go Green Program, supporting efforts to maintain a clean and sustainable environment. 

Meijer is also in its 20th year, with the Meijer Family Fun Zone returning to its location at the Big Four Bridge Lawn and offering a prime viewing space filled with family activities. UA Local 502 is in its second year and helps support transportation for on-the-ground staff and operations. 

“Thunder means so much to our community, not just as a celebration, but as an economic boost for local businesses,” Gibson said. “We’re grateful for the sponsors and partners who stand with us and help make this event possible year after year.” 

The Festival is planning another packed air show featuring both military and civilian aircraft, with one of the main highlights being the U.S. Air Force Viper Demo. Flybys by multiple fighters are also scheduled, featuring the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18s from the U.S. Marine Corps. The V-22 Osprey makes a return this year, along with America’s newest frontline fighter, the F-35C. A special tactics demonstration by The 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade of the Kentucky Army National Guard and the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron of the Kentucky Air National Guard are also planned. 

The sixth annual Drone Show produced by Starlight Aerial Productions will fly over the Ohio River in various formations just before the fireworks begin. Other highlights include parachute demonstrations; Matt Younkin Twin Beech Aerobatics Demo; Britt Lincoln Extra 300 (MT); Nick Coleman’s custom Waco biplane “Kong;” SMOKE ON! Aviation; the Trojan Thunder Team; and Ace Maker Aviation. 

The fireworks show is choreographed to an original soundtrack each year and Zambelli Fireworks will once again design the spectacular. On Thunder Day, the Foodfest and Thunder On the Ground will open at 11 a.m., the air show will start at 3 p.m., the Drone & Night Show is at 9 p.m. and fireworks will blast off at 9:30 p.m. 

“The creation of the soundtrack is compared to designing and building a roller coaster ride, “ Hettinger said. “Music selections are edited and blended together to give the effect of climbing to the top, freefalling and gaining speed, with lots of twists and turns. Setting the pace to launch the tonnage of fireworks for 30 minutes is critical to Thunder’s legacy. Get ready for non-stop excitement.” 

Although Thunder is the Festival’s marquee event, there are more than a dozen other signature experiences this month, including Stock Yards Bank $1 Million Hole-In-One Golf Contest, April 9-21; They’re Off Luncheon presented by BAE Systems, April 17; Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, April 23-May 1; L&N Credit Union Great BalloonFest, April 23-25; KDF 5K Presented by First Urology, April 24; GE Appliances miniMarathon & Marathon, April 25; Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade, April 26; and Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race, April 29. 

The first official Thunder Over Louisville took place in 1991 following the unveiling of “opening ceremonies” at old Cardinal Stadium the year before to celebrate the Derby. It featured a stage show by country music artist Janie Frickie, a release of about 20,000 multi-colored balloons, and daytime fireworks shells for a crowd of 10,000. As the fireworks were going off, Hettinger was asked if they could be done at night. He replied, “Absolutely,” and the rest is history.