KEN HENDERSON, MD
T
hunder over Louisville as we know it
now started 25 years ago as a giant fireworks display at the end of the Redbirds
game at Cardinal Stadium (the inaugural celebratory fireworks started at the Chow Wagon
in conjunction with the They’re Off luncheon of
1989). Although it is now preceded by several
events starting in February this year, including the They’re-Off! Luncheon and the Fillies
Derby Ball, Thunder was initially designed and is currently still
considered to be the opening ceremony for this year’s three weeklong event known as The Kentucky Derby Festival celebration. This
year was the diamond jubilee year for Thunder over Louisville and
once again featured the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels after an eight year
absence. Thunder over Louisville includes many military and civilian
airplane fly-bys every year leading many spectators to say that they
come to see the air show just as much as the fireworks show. Thunder
Over Louisville is recognized as the largest fireworks display and
one of the five largest air shows in North America. It is reported
that one million dollars in fireworks are sent into the dark night
sky during this event, drawing both a national and international
audience. The attendance at this year’s event was estimated to be
650,000—700,000 spectators, including the many people watching
the air show and fireworks on the 125 pleasure crafts located on
the Ohio River.
The Kentucky Derby Festival has grown into a nationally, and possibly internationally, known and multiple award-winning organization that has produced 70 annual festival events with the support of
4,000 volunteers. However, the role of the many dedicated veteran
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
volunteers that who make up the Ohio River part of the Thunder
celebration may be less well known and therefore under-appreciated.
River people know that through the weeks before Thunder each
year, the Ohio River is often swollen and sometimes flooded with
winter and spring rains, melted northern snow. The river might
be full of logs and sometimes submerged trees. Just before this
year’s Thunder, the river pool rapidly increased from 12 to 19 feet.
On the Thursday before Thunder, the current was five to six times
normal and wind gusts were reported up to 50 MPH. This severely
complicated the required setting of the multiple anchors and their
buoy markers that are required for the air show to be staged. When
in place, this buoy system enables the required center line marker
boat to be accurately positioned so the air show planes can lock on
to her for their acrobatic maneuvers.
Several long term and veteran volunteers are required to set up
the Ohio River stage. They perform many of their duties long before
the air show and the fireworks show begin, enabling them both to
proceed and to function. John Hollis is a 20 year veteran volunteer.
Each year he places his 41 foot Sea Ray in the center of the Thunder
“air box” and also assumes a lead role as the centerline marker boat.
The huge tow boats and barges used for Thunder require the advance
placement of a 12,000 pound anchor just below the Clark Memorial
(second street bridge). Kevin Roppel is another 20 year veteran
volunteer of Thunder. He is involved with the advance recruitment
of the pleasure boats that make up the picket line and many of the
water management activities that make both shows possible. This
year I was privileged to accompany him on the river to help him to
set up and to accomplish the several tasks assigned to him.
The picket line is made up of several volunteer pleasure boats and
Photo by Flickr user 7263255
THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE
THE VIEW FROM THE OHIO RIVER