Thunder Over Louisville takes off in Las Vegas, as producer looks for acts for spring airshow

LAS VEGAS (WDRB) — Take off for Thunder Over Louisville actually happened Tuesday morning in Las Vegas.

Sin City may be about big money, beer, and regrets, but at least for a few hours inside Caesar’s Palace Tuesday it was about high flying action.

The producer, Air Boss, and Military Logistics Coordinator for Thunder of Louisville had a plan in place as they walked through the Caesar’s Palace Conference Center for the International Council of Airshows Convention.

They spread out and had as many conversations with potential air show acts as possible.

"We’re going to take each aisle and anything that catches our attention, we’re going to stop and start a conversation," said producer Wayne Hettinger.

IMAGES | Air show soars above downtown for Thunder Over Louisville 2023

He and his crew have been making the trip to the strip for years. WDRB’s Chris Sutter tagged along this year.

Most of the aircraft representatives are not strangers to the Louisville men. Still, Hettinger and his crew often see a new exciting act every year they’re here.

"We talked to one guy who does sky writing," Hettinger said. "He certainly is one of the picks of choice. Like everything else, it’s being more and more perfected because computers are running it. So the guy literally spells out sentences in the sky, which is pretty phenomenal."

With their connections and maybe a little Las Vegas luck, the crew is hoping what they did Tuesday will lay the groundwork for a stacked line up come April.

"We had a really great day," said Hettinger.

He and his crew will have a post conference meeting back in Louisville on Friday to solidify the line up. After that, you still won’t hear who will take to the skies over the Ohio River until closer to the show when the Kentucky Derby Festival officially makes the big announcement.

WDRB News will have all day coverage on April 20.