Aircrafts soar during practice session for Thunder Over Louisville air show

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — We're just a day away from the 37th Thunder Over Louisville, and some of the country's most unique aircraft, many of them having a connection to the Louisville area, practiced Friday.

Hundreds gathered at Waterfront Park to see the fighter jets and aircraft practice their aerial demonstrations along the Ohio River for the big show Saturday.

"Today is like Oaks used to be to Derby," said Chris Morris, who watched from his boat Friday. "Today is our fireworks with no fireworks. We get to see the jets, the planes, no crowd, and the weather is perfect. You couldn't ask for a better spot."

Morris is one of many who have attended Thunder Over Louisville for years. He said Friday's practice air show is worth attending.

"It rattles your teeth," he said about the planes. "It's so impressive, and it makes you think America."

Mike Forrestal, on the other hand, is an out-of-towner visiting for the world-renowned show. He's a photographer and has built a business out of snapping photos of aircraft at shows. His first Thunder was 2024 when he captured some great photos.

"Photographically today will be the best day," Forrestal, the Williamsport, Indiana native, said about Friday, noting the chance of dicey weather Saturday.

The practice air show brought clear skies and perfect conditions both in front of and behind the lens.

"It's therapy for me," Forrestal said. "I really enjoy it. I don't think about work or anything like that."

While the jets and planes impressed during practice in the air box Friday, Saturday might be different.

This year's air show is a little lighter due to the War in Iran.

"Unfortunately, that has reduced our military air show significantly," said Lt. Col. Josh Ketterer, 123rd Operations Group Commander. "Tankers, C-17s, A-10s, F-16s, MH-53s. All these aircraft have been pulled away to take care of combat ops."

The air show starts at 3 p.m. Some highlights for this year's show include:

Ace Maker T-33
Britt Lincoln Extra 300
Charlie Morris Airshows
CT-142 Royal Canadia Air Force
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
KY ANG – C-130J Formation
KY ANG STS (HALO)
KY ANG – UH 60 Blackhawks
LA ANG F-15C “The Bayou Militia”
LMPD River Patrol Rescue Demo
Matt Younkin Twin Beech 18
MV-22 Osprey
Skyliners T-34 Mento
Smoke On Aviation
Trojan Thunder T-28
USAF F-16 Demo Team
USAF Heritage Flight Formation
USAF P-51 Demonstration
USAF T-6 Formation
USAF T-38 Formation
Wisconsin ANG F-35
Waco Taperwing “KONG”
WV ANG “Charlie West” C130J-30 Super Hercules
YAK-15

This year's Thunder theme is "Thunder in the U.S.A." in honor of America's 250th anniversary. Thunder was cancelled last year after historic flooding swamped the riverfront.

To view the WDRB Thunder Over Louisville guide, click here.