Thunder over Louisville 2015

WHAT: Thunder over Louisville 2015
WHEN: Saturday 18th April 2015
WHERE: LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
COST: FREE (but you will need to buy a 2015 pegasus pin to gain access to all areas)
WHY: THE EVENT MARKS THE START OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY
THEME: BOOM WITH A VIEW

There is little more loved than a combination of things most of us know and love – Music and of course beautiful fireworks. With some instantly recognisable tunes, it would be rude not to sing along. This years theme ‘Boom with a View’ heralds the 30 minute show packed with the biggest and brightest professional display fireworks arguably in the USA.

The annual fireworks display is one of the largest of its kind in the USA and is said to set the scene for the forthcoming Derby Festival, the home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby.

The event, which began way back in 1990, uses an average of 25 tonnes of pyro which is laid out on multiple barges on the river as well as lining the banks and on the bridge which spans the beautiful Ohio River. The organisers established from the first ever show that it should be the ‘pinnacle of pyrotechnics’ and ‘every sequence should be of the same power and intensity of a finale’ and they have never been let down.

The fireworks this year are once again being handled by one of the firework industry’s forerunners, Zambelli International. No strangers to pyro-musical, this team are world leaders in technical innovation and are responsible for some arguably the most beautiful displays in the World and they choreograph and create over 1600 shows annually to the delight of tens of thousands of people.

Zambelli Fireworks set up in business when they moved from their native Italy 120 years ago and they have never looked back. The Italian companies favour bright rich reds, oranges and greens so they will be bright and colourful. Last year they filled the sky with an enormous number of HUGE shell bursts so if they are planning to get bigger and better then get ready. The music selection vary widely from classical to rock with a smattering of show tunes in for good measure but the surprise is that although it is held in Kentucky there was no ‘Country Music’ included but perhaps the cadence is not right.

Thunder Over Louisville was moved in 1991 and grew and grew. In 1997, they added an airshow into the mix and today, it remains one of the biggest events in the firework calendar. Packed with varied entertainment from the air show to fireworks, kids play area and pony rides, bouncy castles and face painting to name just a smattering of what is on offer.

Holding the event costs a not inconsiderable $1 million but it generates $56 million in return for the local business community and charitable causes so worth every dime.

Check out the video footage from last years event: