JEFFERSONVILLE —
Early morning drizzle and cold weather delayed the crowds from arriving to the 23rd annual Thunder Over Louisville festival Saturday.
But like the event itself, which serves as the annual kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival, the region’s annual rite of spring arrived along with the spectators. (Watch the video http://youtu.be/BgGbBf_uzIw)
Indiana State Police Sgt. Todd Ringle said the colder-than-normal early morning weather had kept some people away.
“Right now it’s cool and overcast, I think as long as it’s cloudy it’s going to keep people away for a while,” he said early Saturday afternoon.
But Ringle said by the time the fireworks were launched at 9:30 p.m. it was still estimated that the events would draw nearly half-a-million spectators to the banks of the Ohio River.
“We don’t expect a whole lot of rain, at some point the clouds will break and people will start to show up,” Ringle said. “This is a heck of a show so there’s no doubt people will come down.”
Capitalizing on the cold?
First year vendors, Brian Pierce and Natalie Cassady from Perk Me Up Coffee picked the right year to try out the event.
“It’s kind of an experiment for us really,” Pierce said. “As long as we’ve got coffee we’re staying. If we run out we’ll watch fireworks I guess.”
The coffee company, located in Brazil, Ind., sells most of its products online or to vendors. Perk Me Up Coffee served one “freezing” customer hot coffee Saturday morning. They also hedged their bets and were offering iced coffee.
Pierce, who said he had been to Thunder Over Louisville before as a spectator, also had a unique perspective for the show. He said he has also worked for a commercial fireworks company for 20 years that puts on shows in central Indiana. However, he said he has never been part of the “elite” team that fires off the nearly 60 tons of fireworks to create the 28-minute show.
Camped out for fun
Louisville residents Tara and Darren Bussey, along with Sue Drake were camped out alongside Jeffersonville’s Terrace Lawn.
The group set up at their spot right at the bank of the Ohio River at about 10 a.m., along with several children, and were relaxing and listening to the radio while they waited for the air show to begin.
Tara Bussey said they try and claim a spot in the same area every year. She added that although she’s attended the fireworks and air show on the Louisville side of the river, they prefer to come to the Indiana because it’s more of a family environment.
And “because it’s quieter,” Tara Bussey said.
Jeffersonville resident Shawn Densford was farther down the waterfront, in between the Big Four and Kennedy Bridge.
He said he has set up for the air and fireworks shows in the same spot for about eight years, with the exception of last year. He said it was the first year he had missed the event.
Shawn Densford said he and his group didn’t arrive until the early-afternoon, but were still able to claim a prime spot on the bank of the river.
“Usually we get here about 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. in the morning, but with the weather there wasn’t a need to be in a hurry,” he said.
The crew of four with Shawn Densford had about 10 chairs and several blankets set up waiting for the rest of their group to arrive.
He was sure to be there in time for his favorite part of the day.
“I like the fireworks, but the air show is probably the best part,” he said.
Unlike his brother, Ralph Densford said he had not been to Thunder Over Louisville for more than a decade, but made the trek this year.
“I came in just for it,” he said. “I hadn’t been in a long time.”
Despite traveling from Texas to see Thunder Over Louisville, Ralph Densford said it wasn’t the fireworks or the air show that he was looking forward to the most.
“It’s people watching,” he said.
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Related Photos
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Spectators in Jeffersonville watch from the riverfront as fireworks explode above the Ohio River during Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday night. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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Spectators in Jeffersonville watch from the riverfront as fireworks explode above the Ohio River during Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday night. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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On the Sun give a street-side performance on Riverside Drive in Jeffersonville during Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday evening. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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Spectators gather on the balconies of the Harbours Condominiums in Jeffersonville during Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday evening. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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People gather on the Jeffersonville riverfront during Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday evening. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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The Bitner family, of Jeffersonville, look on from underneath the Big Four Bridge on the riverfront in Jeffersonville while fireworks explode above the Ohio River during Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday night. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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An aircraft flies over Interstate 65 above the Ohio River during the Thunder Over Louisville air show on Saturday evening. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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Two helicopters fly over the Ohio River while spectators gather underneath Interstate 65 in Jeffersonville during Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday evening. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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Fireworks explode above the Ohio River during Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday night. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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Dave Wurm, of Charlestown, photographs an aircraft with his cell phone during the Thunder Over Louisville air show on Saturday evening. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
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Discussion
Late to the show, but fans still arrive in droves (WITH VIDEO)
Weather holds off early Thunder Over Louisville crowds
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