LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Thunder Over Louisville has come and gone, and WDRB was on the air all day showing you planes, crowds and the longest continuous fireworks show in North America.
People began lining up around 3:30 a.m. Saturday to secure a spot on the UPS Flight Deck, coming from near and far to attend Thunder Over Louisville on a sunny 60-degree day. Those who were camping arrived before Saturday to secure their spot and see the air show practice Friday.
On Saturday morning, people rushed through the the Great Lawn gates when they opened at 9 a.m. The Big Four Bridge Lawn and the Belvedere opened at 11 a.m., and the air show began at 3 p.m., a stunning show including C-130s, EA-18 Growlers, F-16s and the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron. To see the full schedule, click here. And click here to watch videos of all the planes in the air show.
Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
This year, a drone show lit up the skies over the Ohio River before the fireworks went off.
Hundreds of drones popped up different shapes and letters, including red roses for the Kentucky Derby, hot air balloons for the Kentucky Derby Festival, and other signs and symbols representing Louisville, the Derby and more.
Thunder Over Louisville has come and gone, and WDRB was on the air all day showing you planes, crowds and the longest continuous fireworks show in North America.
The drone show lasted a little over 16 minutes.Â
Then, it was time for the big show.Â
This year's Thundernator, Fairdale resident Leslie Lyon Sr., had the honor of turning the key to start the fireworks show Saturday night, with the help of Thunder producer Wayne Hettinger.
The waterfall of fireworks off the Second Street Bridge made a return to Thunder this year, too, which came as a welcome surprise to many spectators.
Louisville Metro Police said officers issued 438 parking citations throughout the day, and towed 109 cars — which were either illegally parked or "operating recklessly."Â
Why is the Thunder replay silent?Â
WDRB won't be allowed to post a replay of the fireworks with music. Copyright laws prevent us from being able to post the soundtrack online or on social media Â
We looked for many options, but with so many songs, it would be too difficult to license the music on all the platforms that WDRB broadcasts, streams and posts on. We hope you enjoy the spectacular show that Thunder producer Wayne Hettinger and the Kentucky Derby Festival put together for the Celebration of Derby 150.Â
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows a vendor at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
WDRB's Stephan Johnson interviews the crowd waiting for Thunder Over Louisville on the Indiana side of the river on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (WDRB photo)
IMAGES | The Sights and Sounds of Thunder Over Louisville
The weather was perfect as tens of thousands of people converged at the waterfront in downtown Louisville, Ky., to take in Thunder Over Louisville.Â
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Pictured: this frame grab taken from WDRB drone video shows an aerial view of crowds on the Great Lawn for Thunder Over Louisville 2024. (WDRB)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows a vendor at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: this image dated April 20, 2024, shows people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Ky., to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. (WDRB image)
Pictured: members of the WDRB Thunder Over Louisville crew take a break between live shots. (WDRB image)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Sam Draut
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Dalton Godbey and Chris Sutter on the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park for Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (WDRB photo)
People gathered on the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park for Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (WDRB photo)
People gathered on the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park for Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (WDRB photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Thousands of people people gathered at the waterfront in Louisville, Kentucky, to watch the Thunder Over Louisville air show. April 20, 2024. (WDRB Photo)
Widow's Walk Ice Cream in Clarksville, Indiana, where some people took in Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (WDRB photo)
Crowds gather for Thunder Over Louisville on the Indiana side of the river on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (WDRB photo)
WDRB's Stephan Johnson interviews the crowd waiting for Thunder Over Louisville on the Indiana side of the river on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (WDRB photo)
Crowds gather for Thunder Over Louisville on the Indiana side of the river on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (WDRB photo)
Fireworks loaded up on a barge ahead of Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Marc Weinberg/WDRB photo)
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)
ERIC CRAWFORD
Views from the Thunder Over Louisville Air Show on Saturday, April 20, 2024. (Eric Crawford/WDRB photo)