Everything you need to know about Thunder Over Louisville 2024 | FULL GUIDE

Just as in years prior, the best way to view Thunder Over Louisville is at Waterfront Park. There are also numerous watch parties throughout Kentuckiana offering great views. 

RELATED: Where to watch Thunder Over Louisville 2024; List of events, watch parties

There are also plenty of free, pubic viewing areas to choose from stretching from 8th Street to Clay Street north of Main Street in Louisville, and along Riverside Drive from Ashland Park in Clarksville to Spring Street in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Do I need tickets for Thunder?

Thunder Over Louisville is free to the public with the purchase of a Pegasus Pin. Pins can be purchased from retailers across the Metro, including Kroger, for $6. Pins can also be purchased at the event gates for $7.

"Thunder on the Ground" Viewing Locations:

• North Great Lawn: 9 a.m.
• Chow Wagon: 11 a.m.
• Meijer Family Fun Zone at Big Four Lawn: Noon
• West Belvedere: 11 a.m.

Each location listed above includes a beer garden, Thunder Sound and food vendors, officials said.

This year's FoodFest will feature over 115 vendors at the chow Wagon, Great Lawn, Big Four Lawn, West Belvedere and along Witherspoon.

What time do the fireworks, air show start?

On April 20, the FoodFest and "Thunder on the Ground" will open at 11 a.m.

The Thunder Over Louisville Air Show begins at 3 p.m.

The Drone and Night Show begins at 9 p.m. followed by the fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Weather for Thunder Over Louisville

The weather for Thunder Over Louisville has varied from year to year, but even if it rains, festival organizers said they still plan to launch the fireworks as long as it's safe to do so.

In general, it gets cooler at night, so bring a blanket or a sweater if you'd like to stay warm!

Thankfully, it looks like the weather will cooperate with us on Saturday and you can expect comfortable weather for Thunder Over Louisville.

Click here to get the latest weather forecast.

And be sure to download the free WHAS11 app for the latest alerts from the First Alert StormTeam. Download now for Apple or Android users.

If you plan on traveling through downtown Louisville and southern Indiana ahead of Thunder, be sure to make a note or road and bridge closures to avoid the traffic delays and headaches!

Road Closures

The Clark Memorial Bridge, or Second Street Bridge, will close Thursday, April 18 at 9:30 a.m. until Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m.

Louisville's Big Four Bridge will also be closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 19 for air show practice. It will close again from 10 a.m. to midnight on April 20 for Thunder, as well.

Full list of road closures, no stopping locations in Louisville:

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Here's a look at road closures in Clarksville, Indiana for Thunder Over Louisville:

Free TARC rides

All TARC routes will be fare-free to provide residents with convenient access to and from Thunder Over Louisville. 

Officials said the transit authority is providing additional service to downtown Louisville and designating five post-event boarding areas.

The plan mirrors previous years with an added circular service from Broadway at 11th Street to Shawnee Park until 11 p.m.

Where to park for Thunder Over Louisville?

If you plan on driving to Thunder Over Louisville, the best advice is to park as far away from the event venue as you can comfortably walk. Remember, try use the free TARC transport if you can to save yourself the trouble and gas!

Downtown Louisville

Officials said there are 52,000 public parking and off-street parking spaces within a ten-block walk to the River.

There is also garage parking, but note space is limited and you will need to pay special event prices.

Southern Indiana

Limited public and private parking is available in southern Indiana, as is RV parking. 

Officials advise contacting the Clark/Floyd County Convention and Tourism Bureau for more information at 812-282-6654. For information about RV and car parking at Water Tower Square in Jeffersonville, Indiana, call 812-288-9057.

Thunder Over Louisville attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Kentucky and southern Indiana's Ohio River waterfronts every year. Organizers estimate more than 1.5  million people enjoy the fireworks show every spring.

With that many people in one place, safety is always top of mind. That's why it's important to know where to find help at the venue space if you need it.

First Aid and Lost Child

There are several first aid stations positioned on both sides of the river with dozens of Red Cross/EMS employees and ambulances on standby until Thunder is over.

If you and your child get separated, contact the nearest police officer and they will direct you the nearest Lost Child Station. Organizers suggest telling your children before coming to the event that if they get lost to talk with a police officer to take them to a Lost Child Center.

First Aid/Lost Child Stations:

• West Wharf in Joes Crab Shack Parking Lot
• Waterfront Park in South Great Lawn (South west corner of lawn)
• Waterfront Park in North Great Lawn (South center)
• Waterfront Park in Orange Parking Lot (near East River Road)
• Waterfront Park at Big Four Lawn
• Clarksville in Ashland Park near entrance of Park
• Jeffersonville at base of Big 4 Bridge

Boating Safety

Rather than enjoying the air show and fireworks show from the riverfront, some people like to watch Thunder Over Louisville from their boat on the Ohio River.

General Safety Tips

1. Examine your boat and check all safety equipment before getting on the water. This includes your navigation lights, which must be displayed between sunset and sunrise.
2. Don't drink alcohol on the water. It's against Kentucky state law and the Commonwealth's jurisdiction extends across the width of the river, authorities advise this law and other will be strictly enforced.
3. Wear a lifejacket! Federal law requires requires any child under 13 to wear a lifejacket at all times. For every adult on board, there must be a lifejacket that is easily accessible.

Thunder on the Water

Authorities advise boats to be prepared for these conditions on the Ohio River for Thunder Over Louisville as well: strong river currents, debris, low Water temperature, and fatigue.

• Navigable Channel: the navigable channel is from the Kentucky shoreline to the center of the river. No vessels may anchor or loiter in the channel. Anchoring is not permitted from the Big Four Bridge to Towhead Island.
• No Entry Zone: At 11 a.m. on Saturday, the Coast Guard will establish a "No Entry" zone from river mile 606.8 to 602.7 (from McAlpine Lock and Dam to 200 yards up river from the Big Four Railroad Bridge.) All spectator boats will need to stay away from this zone.
• No Wake Zone: A no wake zone will be in effect from river mile 602.7 to 598.

For safety reasons, here's a list of items that authorities won't allow at Thunder Over Louisville. Be sure to look this list over carefully and check your bags, otherwise you may be asked to throw it away or take it back to your car!

Due to increased security, all persons and bags are subject to search, officials said.

• No drones.
• No tents or canopies of any kind.
• No stakes.
• No tape, rope or pennant lines.
• No glass bottles are allowed at the event site.
• Picnic blankets (and tarps limited to 10′ x 10′) and lawn chairs are permitted.
• Plastic bottles and food are permitted. There is also plenty of food and soft drink stands to take care of any needs you may have. Beer is available at the Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park, North Great Lawn, the West Belvedere Beer Garden and River Road Beer Garden.
• No alcoholic beverages.
• No bikes, skateboards or skates are allowed in the event venue. You will be asked to walk them in for pedestrian safety.
• Please leave any pets at home.

As you get ready to head along the Ohio River for Thunder Over Louisville, here are some helpful tips Kentucky Derby Festival officials recommend to get you through the day!

First and foremost, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk.

If you haven't already, go ahead and purchase your Pegasus Pin and keep it close on Thunder Day, you'll need it for the Chow Wagon, Meijer Family Fun Zone on the West Belvedere and North Great Lawn viewing areas.

Try to arrive as early as you can to find the best spot to watch the show.

Depending on the temperatures, the area near the river is a little cooler so dress accordingly. Bring your glasses and sunscreen.

Thunder Tips:

• Make sure you are aware of your surroundings and the Thunder services available including EMS, lost child stations and first aid. 
• Don't count on cell service to be 100%! As many people gather along the riverfronts, cell service can be spotty.
• Plan an area for regrouping if anyone gets lost in your party.
• If you have kids, snap a photo of them and what they are wearing. You should also make sure they know a phone number and address to call if they're lost. 
• Bring lots of patience!
• Bring a roll of toilet paper (Thunder Pots can run out!)
• Park as far away from the event area as you can comfortably walk. This will help avoid post-Thunder traffic.
• Utilize TARC's free rides, there is expanded service all day for a reason!
• P.A.R.C. or Riverside Garages in the area are accessible until full for special event rates.
• Call 587-PARK. All handicapped spaces are honored until full.
• Follow LMPD's traffic plan to get out of Thunder -- you'll get home much faster.

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