LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Derby Festival CEO Matt Gibson drove around the Chow Wagon site on the banks of the Ohio River on Wednesday afternoon with zero stress even though one of the largest air and fireworks shows in the country happens this weekend.

"Things are constantly moving and changing, and we are very, very flexible," Gibson said. "We say that, if something changes, now we've got an eternity of time until Saturday morning to make things happen."

Crews wasted no time Wednesday setting up fencing and barricades near the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park, though everything is a little farther back this year since the Ohio River level is a bit higher.

Gibson refers to all this as the lead up to a ballet: each person with their role, prepped and ready for the big show Saturday and even the days after.

"I love being down here and helping the teams to address things that come up and just watching it happen," he said. "It is a huge sense of pride when it's coming together."

Dozens of food vendors are also pulling in, some in their same spots year after year. For Brian Foegen, this is year 20.

"It's one of the premier fireworks shows that we do all year, and we do about 10 events that have fireworks throughout the year," Foegen said.

The day begins with an airshow that includes a variety of military aircraft and aerial acts. Look to the sky over the Ohio River to see numerous aerobatic routines and some of the most unique aircraft in the country, many of them having a connection to the Louisville area. Highlights include:

  • Air Force Viper Demo and Heritage Flight
  • Air Force C-17 Demo (with an aerial refueling demonstration)
  • Navy Growler with Legacy Flight
  • U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue
  • Matt Younkin's "Magic by Moonlight" performance
  • Vintage Champion Air Racer "Mr. Mulligan"
  • Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Demo

The big event is the 30-minute fireworks along the waterfront from two barges and the 2nd Street Bridge. It's the longest continuous fireworks show in the U.S.

And a lot is going on behind the scenes the public never sees.

"We always will wait until one section is completely done and then move to the next," Gibson said Wednesday. "And by around lunchtime ... it will blow your mind how much is in place and getting hooked up."

Gibson said every year the Chow Wagon and Thunder Over Louisville is like a family reunion every year, people often seeing the same families and a new ones to enjoy the tradition.

"That is the reason why we do it," he said. "And to see all the smiles down here, it's magical."

Start your day with WDRB Mornings from 6-10 a.m. Saturday to know what to expect. Then stay with us all day:

  • 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Inside Thunder on WDRB
  • 11 a.m. to noon: Crossroads: The Making Of Thunder
  • Noon to 3 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Kick-Off
  • 3-8 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Air Show
  • 8-9:30 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Pre-Fireworks Show
  • 9:30-10 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Fireworks Show
  • 10-11 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Wrap-Up
  • 11-11:30 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Fireworks (R)

And to see the full list of interstate, surface street and bridge closures for Saturday in Kentucky and Indiana, click here.

WDRB personalities will be on both sides of the Ohio River bringing you all the people, planes and fireworks. Of course, you can watch on TV, but you can take WDRB with you.

The full day of broadcasting will be on our WDRB.com website, the WDRB News app, the WDRB+ TV anywhere app for your phone, and the WDRB+ streaming app on your Fire, Apple or Roku TV.

To learn how to download the apps, click here.

Thunder Over Louisville Coverage:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.