From rooftop parties to Slugger Field, here are 12+ places to watch Thunder Over Louisville
Thunder Over Louisville is back and bigger than ever in its triumphant return to Louisville's Waterfront Park. The theme of the 2022 event, heading into its 33rd year, is "The Legend Returns."
"After a two-year hiatus, 'The Legend Returns,' to the Waterfront and we're so excited," Kentucky Derby Festival president Matt Gibson said previously. "The Louisville waterfront is one of the best venues for an airshow and fireworks in the country."
In addition to the return of one of the nation’s largest annual fireworks shows, produced by Zambelli Fireworks International, the air show, consistently ranked in the top five in the country, is also returning. Spectators can expect to see various planes including the U.S. Airforce F-22 Raptor Demo, U.S. Airforce C-17 Demo, U.S. Airforce Heritage Flight, the Kentucky National Guard 123rd Airlight Wine with new C-130J, the Commemorative Air Force's B-29, B-24 and B-25 as well as the U.S. Navy E/A-18 Growler Demo with a Legacy Flight, Youkin Airshow, and more, plus a special appearance by the UPS 767, which has flown in past shows, as well.
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If you're looking to watch the show while avoiding the massive crowds at Waterfront Park, where attendance has hit 600,000 in the past, here are more than 12 places you can go to watch Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 23.
Where to watch Thunder Over Louisville 2022
Thunder at the Kentucky Center
WHAT: Admission includes a viewing of the show from all three levels of the Center, access to restrooms, activities for children, entertainment, food service and concessions. Multiple bars are available with a variety of beer, wine and specialty cocktails. Performers include DJ ALLi, Juggernaut Jug Band and StageOne Storytellers. Pegasus Pins give you access to the Meijer Family Fun Zone, located on the Belvedere
WHERE: 501 W Main St.
WHEN: starts at 2 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $50, $25 for children; $56, and $31 for children for tickets and a pegasus pin.
MORE INFORMATION: kentuckyperformingarts.org.
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Kentucky Science Center ThunderBlast
WHAT: Features access to the center’s exhibits, food trucks, hands-on learning activities for kids and train and carousel rides.
WHERE: 727 W. Main St.
WHEN: 2-10 p.m.
COST: $50 for ages 13 and older, $40 for ages 2-12; members, $45, $35 for ages 2-17.
MORE INFORMATION: kysciencecenter.org
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Thunder Over Louisville Rooftop Party
WHAT: Rooftop viewing; appetizers and Kentucky Derby-inspired cuisine; complimentary bar with local and regional beers, specialty cocktails and more, and restrooms. Sponsored by Number JUAN Tequila.
WHERE: Waterside Parking Garage Rooftop, 201 N. Brook St.
WHEN: 2:30-10 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $150.
MORE INFORMATION: eventbrite.com
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Jammin’ At The Jefferson
WHAT: Q103.1 Thunder Over Louisville Watch Party. Beer garden and music by Clayton Anderson, Shane Dawson and 8 Daze Sober.
WHERE: Base of the 2nd St. Bridge, 715 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana
WHEN: 1-11:30 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at: $65 general admission; $150 VIP.
MORE INFORMATION: eventbrite.com
Thunder Under Louisville
WHAT: Join Transmit Production party that features two house and techno DJs, drinks and a food truck
WHERE: Play Louisville, 1101 E. Washington St.
WHEN: 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.
COST: Tickets start at $20
MORE INFORMATION: eventbrite.com
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Thunder Over River Road
WHAT: Food trucks, vendors, bounce house, corn hole and more games and cigars.
WHERE: Parking lot and inside, Zero's Luxe Lounge, 1346 River Road
WHEN: starts at noon
COST: Tickets start at $50
MORE INFORMATION: eventbrite.com
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Cooper & Kings Distillery Thunder Over Louisville Parties
Party in the Yard, Courtyard
WHAT: Free and open to all ages and will offer cocktails and food available for purchase, live DJ, games and more.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Copper & Kings Distillery, 1121 E. Washington St.
Thunder Rooftop Viewing Party, Rooftop
WHAT: Features a welcome cocktail, hors d'oeuvres by Chef Josh Lehman, crafted cocktail, indoor and outdoor views of Thunder and a cash bar including tasting flights of distillery-exclusive cask selections. For ages 21 and older.
WHEN: 7-10:30 p.m. Features a welcome cocktail, hors d'oeuvres by Chef Josh Lehman, craft cocktails, indoor and outdoor views of Thunder, and a cash bar including tasting flights of distillery-exclusive cask selections. For ages 21 and older.
WHERE: Copper & Kings Distillery, 1121 E. Washington St.
COST: Tickets start at $165
MORE INFORMATION: eventbrite.com
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Joe's Crab Shack Fireworks & Flyovers
WHAT: Watch the fireworks and airshow while dining on Joe's famous dishes, passed appetizers and desserts. Choose from tasty options like classic steam pots, crab buckets, and shrimp samplers.
WHERE: 131 River Road
WHEN: 3-11:30 p.m
COST: Tickets start at $250 for adults and $150 for children
MORE INFORMATION: eventbrite.com
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Thunder at Lynn Family Stadium
WHAT: Stadium and parking lots will open this year for the first time during Thunder Over Louisville. The parking lot will open at 7 a.m. for parking and tailgating; the stadium will open at noon. Guests will receive a wristband allowing for re-entry to the building. All tickets include access to restrooms, the stadium’s full array of food and beverage offerings are expected to be on sale. Lynn Family Stadium’s video board will air Louisville City FC’s away game at the Charleston Battery (5 p.m.) and a countdown to the fireworks with live music from Radiotronic (8 p.m.).
WHERE: 350 Adams St
WHEN: starts at 7 a.m.
COST: Tickets start at $19; parking starts at $40.
MORE INFORMATION: loucity.com/lynnfamilystadium
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Thunder at Slugger Field
WHAT: Includes a reserved seat to the baseball game (Louisville Bats vs Iowa Cubs, 2:05 p.m.), air show, postgame concert and Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show.
WHERE: Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St.
WHEN: Begins at noon
COST: Tickets start at $40
MORE INFORMATION: milb.com/louisville/tickets/thunderoverlouisville
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Fun-der at KFC Yum Center
WHAT: Panoramic view of the fireworks and air show, afternoon snack, dinner and dessert buffet, DJ, access restrooms, a photo booth with complimentary photos, entertainment throughout the day, cash bar and in and out privileges.
WHERE: Top floor Spirit Room, One Arena Plaza
WHEN: 2:30-10:30 p.m
COST: Spirit Room Viewing Party, $1,900 for a table of 10, $1,160 for a table of 6; $800 for a table of 4; $420 for a table of 2.
MORE INFORMATION: kfcyumcenter.com/events/detail/fun-der-viewing-parties-22
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KingFish Restaurant
WHAT: The restaurants will offer tent seating 100 per person and includes an appetizer and dinner buffets.
WHERE: 601 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana
WHEN: Gates open at 1:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: To make reservations, call 502-339-0565
Reach Features News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Where to watch the fireworks for Thunder Over Louisville 2022
