LAS VEGAS (WDRB) -- The flashy hotels, money lost, and one-of-a-kind entertainment of Las Vegas can be a blur for more reasons than one.
If you've hit the strip before, you know the saying "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," is not always true.
"They come from all over the world to get married," an Elvis impersonator told WDRB.
Commitments of a different kind in Sin City at the beginning of December make a huge mark on the Derby City come April.
The desert is where Thunder Over Louisville takes off! In a sea of street performers, partyers, and people you'll find the producer of Thunder, Wayne Hettinger and his crew.
"It's a hell of a place to get it started," Hettinger said.
Thunder Over Louisville producer Wayne Hettinger in Las Vegas to attend a convention where the top air show acts gather to book air shows for the year. (WDRB Image) Jan. 11, 2024
That wasn't the old fashion talking. There was a definite buzz, plenty of planning, and must gets in the hours before 'go time' during the first week of December.
"All the people from airshows across the country, and really throughout North America come here," said Air Boss Matt Creed.
He's talking about Caesars Palace for the International Council of Airshows Convention.
"Okay, guys here it is, let's go get them," Hettinger said as the convention began. "We're looking for flash and dash, and a lot of speed."
Reps from The Blue Angels, Thunder Birds, and The Golden Knights were all there.
Robert Dickson is the pilot of Swamp Fox, a piece of Kentucky history.
"The airplane itself served the Kentucky Air National Guard from 1953-1956," Dickson explained.
He actually met Wayne and the Louisville team in Vegas years ago.
"That was here at ICAS," said Dickson.
Those talks continued this time around.
Hettinger is a seasoned Thunder producer, who doesn't excite easily, but he was quite taken by a "sky writer."
"He's certainly one of our picks of choice," said Hettinger. "The guy can literally spell out sentences in the sky, which is pretty phenomenal."
So after many conversations, contracts handed out, and coming face to face with a Top Gun "Maverick" lookalike, the Louisville crew is ready to kiss the Sphere, shenanigans and strip goodbye.
"It's been a great day for us," said Hettinger.
They're just getting the engine getting warmed up though. Just a couple days later, the crew is back together at the "Thunder Ranch," Wayne's Louisville basement. A countdown clock shows how close Thunder is getting.
Thunder Over Louisville producer Wayne Hettinger's Thunder Ranch sign at his home in Louisville, Ky. (WDRB Image) Jan. 11, 2024
Papa Johns Pizza and Diet Coke fuel the conversation, budget numbers are considered and decisions made...
"The United States Marine Corps mentioned they plan on sending their Osprey demo, we have not had that here," said Josh Ketterer from the Kentucky Air National Guard. "It is an incredibly impressive aircraft."
It feels like it comes together about fast as some of the airshow planes fly, but it doesn't happen without close encounters with "the king" out west.
"You ain't nothing but a hound dog," the impersonator sang.
Thunder Over Louisville is the opening ceremony to the Kentucky Derby Festival. It happens this year on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The daylong airshow and fireworks will be broadcast on WDRB. It will also be streamed on WDRB.com and our WDRB+ app on Fire, Apple and Roku television.
Related stories:
- Louisville braces for a wild spring, 4 marquee events bringing tens of thousands of tourists to town
- Thunder Over Louisville takes off in Las Vegas, as producer looks for acts for spring airshow
- And they're off! Tickets on sale for Kentucky Derby 150 and bet on paying for the experience
- Kentucky Derby Festival unveils 2024 Royal Court ahead of 150th Kentucky Derby
Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
