WE'RE GOING TO THUNDER!!!

For the past five years we've lived in Italy there are some things about the states I've missed. Most of those things are enjoyed to the max when we visit: Fountain Diet Cokes, Mexican food, the ability to return something to a store, driving a car with an automatic transmission. One of the things I haven't been able to enjoy due to the timing of our visits has been THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE. For those of you who don't know, Thunder is the official kick-off to the multi-week party leading up to THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

The KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL has grown over the years since I was a kid, when all I remember about pre-Derby events was a parade on the Thursday before Derby. At some point a steamboat race was added, then a hot air balloon race, then assorted smaller events until a full two weeks were needed to encompass them all.

THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE was added in the early 90's, growing slowly from a relatively tame fireworks show predeeded by a few acrobatic planes to the show we have today: the largest fireworks show in the country, preceded by one of the top five airshows. For me it's a win-win situation: I LOVE airplanes and I LOVE fireworks!

When I realized that we'd be in Louisville for Thunder this year I was ecstatic! Unfortunately about 500,000 other people love Thunder as much as I do and the logistics of attending are challenging. The airshow starts around 3 in the afternoon, the fireworks not until dark, around 9:30, which makes for a long day. Although Riverfront Park makes an excellent site to watch both, it does require getting there early to stake out a good spot, and being armed with enough food, water, sunscreen etc. to last throughout the day. You also have to plan those potty breaks and be prepared for long lines, as well as have the patience to deal with large crowds, then you still have to drag everything back to your car at then end of the day and try to get home!

Several years ago the LOUISVILLE RIVERBATS built a new stadium downtown, and on Thunder day they offered a great package: an afternoon of baseball and a great place to watch both the air show and the fireworks, complete with seating, food and drinks, and bathrooms with running water! Knowing that my daughter had taken this route for the past several years I emailed her and asked her to count us in when it came time to buy tickets! She emailed me back to say that yes, they were planning to go this year and they'd get two tickets for us!

If I'm lucky I might even make it to the Balloon Glow the following weekend! If you've ever thought of visiting Louisville, and/or attending the Kentucky Derby, don't forget to include some of these events in your itinerary! See ya there!