City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: Two weeks before the Derby, the opening ceremonies for the festival kick off with the largest annual fireworks show in North America. Known as Thunder Over Louisville, this free massive pyrotechnics spectacular and air show on the Ohio River attracts 500,000 spectators to the Kentucky and Indiana shorelines, and can be seen for miles. The aerial maneuvers—with 100 planes, aerobatics teams, daring skydiving teams, and breathtaking stunts—start at 3 p.m., and the 28-minute fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. The show always features the latest in pyrotechnic power from Zambelli Internationale (America’s “first family of fireworks”), with eight 400-foot barges assembled on both sides of the Second Street Bridge to form the stage. A highlight of the event occurs when the largest U.S. flag ever flown soars above the crowd via helicopter tow as the National Anthem plays in the background. For more information, visit their official Web site at www.thunderoverlouisville.org.