Saturday (April 23) is the occasion for Thunder Over Louisville, returning in its entirety after a two-year pandemic layoff to anchor the front end of the Kentucky Derby Festival.
In a survey of options for total immersion in the thunderous spectacle, Gege Reed of the Louisville Courier Journal outlines what to expect.
In addition to the return of one of the nation’s largest annual fireworks shows, produced by Zambelli Fireworks International, the air show, consistently ranked in the top five in the country, is also returning. Spectators can expect to see various planes including the U.S. Airforce F-22 Raptor Demo, U.S. Airforce C-17 Demo, U.S. Airforce Heritage Flight, the Kentucky National Guard 123rd Airlight Wine with new C-130J, the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29, B-24 and B-25 as well as the U.S. Navy E/A-18 Growler Demo with a Legacy Flight, Youkin Airshow, and more, plus a special appearance by the UPS 767, which has flown in past shows, as well.
As for your F&D digital editor, I’ll be in or near the perimeter of my New Albany home, guarding the premises with a bottle of gin in one hand, vermouth in the other, and recalling what it was like during the London blitz (or sadly, in Eastern Ukraine, right about now).
From the standpoint of dining, Thunder Over Louisville has never struck me as an epicure’s sort of event, although obviously there’s nothing wrong with picnic baskets, food trucks and street food if attendees can find a patch of unoccupied turf. Indeed, there are far fewer non-tariffed viewing spots for your camp stool compared to the early days of Thunder.
Reed’s listings include a few bigger ticket venues (Kentucky Center for the Arts, Yum! Center, Lynn Family Stadium, Slugger Field), but to me one place stands out.
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I’m not leaving the house, but if motivated to do so, this is where I’d go to drift blissfully into the cacophony.
Thunder Rooftop Viewing Party, Copper & Kings Distillery Rooftop
WHAT: Features a welcome cocktail, hors d’oeuvres by Chef Josh Lehman, crafted cocktail, indoor and outdoor views of Thunder and a cash bar including tasting flights of distillery-exclusive cask selections. For ages 21 and older. 7-10:30 p.m. Features a welcome cocktail, hors d’oeuvres by Chef Josh Lehman, craft cocktails, indoor and outdoor views of Thunder, and a cash bar including tasting flights of distillery-exclusive cask selections. For ages 21 and older.
WHERE: Copper & Kings Distillery, 1121 E. Washington St.
COST: Tickets start at $165
MORE INFORMATION: Eventbrite
Cover photo credit: Go to Louisville.
