Here's what you need to know if you're heading downtown for Thunder Over Louisville
From parking to road closures and what to expect at the Waterfront, we're helping you navigate one of the most exciting times during the Kentucky Derby Festival.
It’s been three years since Thunder Over Louisville was held at the Waterfront.
After several years of pandemic-altered plans, this year marks the event's highly-anticipated return and the weather is expected to be fantastic.
Before you make plans for Thunder festivities this Saturday, April 23, here’s what you need to know before you go!
The Kentucky Derby Festival released the full scheduled for tonight's festivities:
- 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. // Pegasus Pin and Pin Trading booths open at 8 locations.
- 2 p.m. // Soul Circus and Katie Mac Trio perform at the Music Stage inside the Thunder Chow Wagon
- 3 p.m. // Thunder Air Show begins
- 9:02 p.m. // Meijer Moment (Thunder Fans Help Light Up the Waterfront)
- 9:06 p.m. // "God Bless America" Flag Tow
- 9:11 p.m. // Drone Show powered by LG&E
- 9:30 p.m. // Fireworks!
KDF said these times are subject to change. For more information, click here.
Traffic, Transportation Information
Road Closures
- Thursday, April 21st: 9:30 a.m. – Closed through Sunday at 2 p.m.
- Friday, April 22nd: Closed all day
- Saturday, April 23rd: Closed all day
- Sunday, April 24th: Closed from Midnight to 2:00 p.m.
Pilots will be practicing for the air show on April 22, closing the Big Four Bridge from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also be closed Saturday, April 23 for Thunder from 10 a.m. to midnight. Signs will be posted around the bridge, according to KDF.
Louisville Metro Police has a list of road and interstate closures for Friday and Saturday, click here to view what roads will be closed.
Transportation
FREE TARC RIDES
All TARC routes will be fare-free Saturday to provide convenient, free access to and from Thunder Over Louisville.
Beginning at 3:00 p.m., more buses will be added to serve downtown, but as the event draws closer, downtown routes may be delayed due to police barricades.
According to TARC, buses will run until 11:00 p.m. at these post-Thunder boarding locations, click here for a map of where those locations are.
Southern Indiana travelers should note that any buses on cross-river routes will not make return trips to Indiana after 8 p.m. due to multiple bridge closures.
Passengers are encouraged to use TARC's Trip Planner on the home page to plan ahead and know their route number and stop locations.
BIKES
This year, there is free valet parking for bikes. If you ride your bike to Thunder Over Louisville, you can go to the “Free Valet Bicycle Parking” at the northeast corner of Witherspoon Street and Preston Street, just north of Slugger Field. The operating hours will be between 12:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The City of Louisville is sponsoring the free bike parking to make the city more bike-friendly.
Where can I find parking?
One big question during Thunder Over Louisville is “where I can park legally?"
Metro Police urge Thunder-goers to plan ahead when determining where to park for the event. They do suggest parking as far away as you can but also park in the direction of town you intend to go.
When planning where to park, click here to view LMPD's list of no parking areas.
In Louisville, there are more than 52,000 public parking, off-street spaces within a 10-block radius of the Ohio River.
If parking on the street isn’t your thing, there are garages throughout downtown. Prices may vary depending on the location. Check out Riverside Parking or the Parking Authority of River City. You can also call PARC at (502) 587-PARK.
Need to park an RV? Riverside Parking offers RV and camper parking for $200 to $300. You do need to call for more information. (502) 584-2459.
Where can you park in southern Indiana?
For fans of Thunder on the “Sunny Side of the River,” there’s plenty of public and private parking available. You will have to contact the Clark-Floyd County Convention and Tourism Bureau at (812) 282-6654 for form information.
There is RV & car parking available in Jeffersonville. Call (812) 288-9057 for costs and location.
What isn't allowed at Thunder?
Here's a list of the items you can and can't bring to Thunder Over Louisville. Study the list carefully so you don't have to throw anything away!
Remember, the event area goes south from the Ohio River to Main Street between Clay Street and 10th Street. It also includes the Chow Wagon and North Great Lawn viewing area.
- No drones.
- No tents or canopies of any kind
- No stakes
- No tape, rope or pennant lines allowed
- 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 are allowed.
- 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.
- Due to increased security – all persons and parcels are subject to search.
Related Video: Louisville Police outline Thunder security plan
How to get water, help while at Thunder?
The Kentucky Derby Festival will have several first aid stations on both sides of the river for Thunder Over Louisville. These locations will also serve as Lost child stations.
KDF said the stations will be manned by the Red Cross/EMS and ambulances.
Here's where those stations are located:
- Thunder Station 1: West Wharf in Joes Crab Shack Parking Lot
- Thunder Station 2: Waterfront Park in South Great Lawn (Southwest corner of lawn)
- Thunder Station 3: Waterfront Park in North Great Lawn (South center)
- Thunder Station 4: Waterfront Park in Orange Parking Lot (near East River Road)
- Thunder Station 5: Waterfront Park at Big Four Lawn
- Thunder Station 6: Clarksville in Ashland Park near entrance of Park
- Thunder Station 7: Jeffersonville at base of Big 4 Bridge
Listen to this year's Thunder soundtrack
Long-time Thunder Over Louisville producer Wayne Hettinger and reps from KDF said this year's soundtrack arrangement is a switch from what folks are used to.
“If you’re familiar with the Thunder tracks in the past, you’re going to notice a difference,” Hettinger said.
He said they had larger input from the youth, mixing traditional with modern -- but said the soundtrack will still have something for everyone.
Organizers shared a few of the tracks Thursday morning, including "The Greatest Show," by Panic! At the Disco and "INDUSTRY BABY" by Lil Nas X featuring Louisville native Jack Harlow.
Then, there will also be tracks like the U.S. Air Force Song, to honor that branch of the military on its 75th anniversary.
Other helpful tips
As you gear up for Thunder, here are some helpful tips to survive the day!
- Have your Pegasus Pin handy. You'll need it for the Chow Wagon, Meijer Family Fun Zone on the West Belvedere and North Great Lawn viewing areas.
- Depending on the temperatures, the area near the river is a little cooler so dress accordingly. Bring your glasses and sunscreen.
- 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 on the Waterfront, 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!
- It's also recommended to keep a roll of toilet paper on hand because the ThunderPots could run out.
- Keep lots of sanitizer and alcohol wipes handy.
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