Thunder guide 2012: What to know before you go

> SOUTHERN INDIANA — For Mike Kapfhammer, co-owner of Buckhead Mountain Grill and Rocky’s Sub Pub, this Saturday will be a big event, but nothing he hasn’t handled before.

“We always change up the food every year,” he said.

For the most part, however, the two restaurants will have the same plan in place as they have in years past, as they’re both prime spots for viewing Thunder Over Louisville. The annual fireworks show, kick-off to the Kentucky Derby Festival, is set for this weekend.

For those visiting either restaurant, Kapfhammer said the overwhelming number of comments are about how close they are to the spectacle. This year is even more special as Buckhead just finished up with renovations following a December fire.

“It was important to us to get open, but we would not have rushed it,” he said. “We had 4 1/2 months.”

Those heading to either restaurant have to have a ticket to get in. Kapfhammer said some even order their tickets a year in advance.

“The bulk of it starts right after the first of the year,” he said.

For those not attending a private party like those on restaurant row, the usual procedure will be in place, said Sara Schutz, who has stepped into the role of Jeffersonville’s Thunder Coordinator this year.

As in past years, there is no parking in the event area, residents need passes to get in and there are certain items — weapons, pets, alcohol and more — that are banned.

“There wasn’t a lot left to go after from last year” in terms of planning, Schutz said. “I think we have a pretty good plan. We’ll learn a lot.”

There’s plenty to know before you go, of course. Read on:

THE SHOW

• The air show starts at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and fly-bys continue all day. The main event, the 28-minute fireworks show, starts at 9:30 p.m. It’ll be a patriotic one this year, with the theme being “A Star Spangled Blast.” Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer is serving as “Thundernator,” which means the Kentucky native will be detonating the show.

WEATHER

• It’ll be cloudy and cool, high near 62 with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. There’s a slight chance of showers Saturday night, with a low around 45.

WHERE TO WATCH

• After being closed for high water last year, the Terrace Lawn and the Ohio River Greenway in Jeffersonville are open this year. There are private hotel and restaurant parties, such as Kapfhammer’s, that require tickets. Riverside Drive in both Jeffersonville and Clarksville will be open for pedestrian traffic only for those wishing to watch from there. In Clarksville, Ashland Park and Lewis and Clark Park are always popular spots.

TIPS FROM KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL

• Bring a roll of toilet paper.

• If you’re heading to Louisville, wear your Pegasus Pin. You’ll need it for the Thunder Chow Wagon and North Great Lawn viewing area.

• Bring sunglasses and sunscreen, just in case.

• Park as far away from the event venue as you can comfortably walk.

• Make sure your car has plenty of gas for the exit traffic delays.

• You can bring food in a paper bag or basket.

• Be aware of the services around you, such as EMS and lost children.

• Dress in layers. The temperature can vary a great deal throughout the day.

• Know your limits and your children’s limits for the day. Seven hours can be a long day for toddlers. Consider picking either the air show or fireworks.

• Designate a driver if you’re going to be in an area where alcohol is allowed.

• Identify a location to regroup should you lose any in your party.

• Bring your patience. This is not an event for the crowd-shy.

• Remember the event is for fun and try to have some.

• Don’t count on cell phones working all the time. Signals and service can be unreliable in large crowds.

• Know what your children are wearing and carry a photo of them with you. Make sure they know their phone number and address.

• Bring a radio. You can tune into the command center and complete air show commentary on Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

BRIDGE CLOSURES

• The Clark Memorial Bridge will be closed to motorists and pedestrians from 9:30 a.m. today until 2 p.m. Sunday. Further, Interstate 65 southbound, from Interstate 265 to the Kennedy Bridge will be closed from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Southbound motorists will be rerouted onto westbound I-265 toward New Albany and Interstate 64. All access ramps to southbound I-65 that are between I-265 and the Kennedy Bridge will closed as well. These ramps will only open once the fireworks show is over and the roadways are safe for vehicular traffic.

WATCHING IN CLARKSVILLE?

Traffic notes:

Riverside Drive at Woerner Avenue, South Sherwood, Winbourne Avenue and Smyser Avenue at the flood wall will be closed at 11 a.m. Friday until the conclusion of the event. All other street closings will occur Saturday at the following times:

• South Clark Boulevard at Woerner Avenue — 10 a.m.

• South Clark Boulevard at Winbourne Avenue — 6 a.m.

• South Clark Boulevard at Beckett Street — 6 a.m.

• South Clark Boulevard at Montgomery Avenue — 2 p.m.

• Montgomery Avenue at Virginia Avenue — 6 a.m.

• Montgomery Avenue at Sherwood Avenue — 6 a.m.

• South Clark Boulevard at Sherwood Avenue — 6 a.m.

• Marriott Drive at Montgomery Avenue (to Ninth Street) — 6 a.m.

• Harrison Avenue at Bailey Avenue — 6 a.m.

• Emery Crossing at Summer Place — 6 a.m.

• North Clark Boulevard at Brown’s Station Way — When necessary

• Brown’s Station Way at Lewis and Clark Parkway — When necessary

Restricted:

Alcoholic beverages

• Grills and open fires

• Pets

• Glass containers

• Bicycles and skateboards

• Fireworks

WATCHING IN JEFF?

Traffic notes:

Streets closed to traffic, beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday:

• Exit 0 ramps

• Court Avenue entrance ramp to I-65 south

• Court Avenue west of Broadway

• Riverside Drive from Jeffboat to Clarksville

• Market Street from Mulberry Street to Clarksville

• North Shore Drive

• RiverPointe Plaza

• Fort Street

• Clark Street

• Missouri Avenue from South Clark Boulevard to Market Street

• Alleys along the flood wall from Jeffboat to Clarksville

• The 100 blocks of Spring, Wall, Locust and Walnut, Pearl and Mulberry streets

All streets listed will also be designated as no parking zones from 7 a.m. until streets are opened as well as all city-owned property, including the riverbank area and all lots under I-65. Residents living in the event area affected by the closures should go to the intersection nearest their homes and they will be allowed entry with proper credentials.

Restricted:

Alcoholic beverages

• Weapons

• Pets

• Recreational vehicles

• Open flames

• Tents

• Portable buildings

• Tarps

• Skateboards

• Bicycles

• Motorized scooters

• Golf carts, except those used by officials from the city or the Kentucky Derby Festival

HELP A GOOD CAUSE

• The Clarks Landing Company, developer of the old Colgate-Palmolive Co. plant, is teaming up with Special Olympics Indiana, Clark County, to provide accessible parking near the Second Street Bridge in Clarksville. The lot will open at 6 p.m., Friday for RV overnight parking. It will be open to cars, SUVs and trucks for Thunder Day parking on Saturday at 4 a.m. Overnight parking is available on Friday and Saturday for RVs only. Cars, SUVs and trucks will not be permitted to stay overnight. All vehicles must exit the premises by noon Sunday. The parking fee for cars, SUVs and trucks is $20 per vehicle spot and motor cycles are $10 per vehicle spot. RV parking in the paved designated lot is $250 per spot for the weekend for advance reservations and $200 the day of the event. A percentage of each fee will directly benefit the participants in Special Olympics Clark County.

SAFETY

• About 120 state troopers along with about 125 other officers from local city, county and state law enforcement agencies will combine to provide traffic direction, interstate patrols and foot patrols on this side of the Ohio River. The Indiana State Police will also have an emergency response team, a bomb squad and aircraft available if the need arises. If anyone has an emergency while attending the festivities they should dial 911. If you have a general complaint or need a police report dial 812-283-6633 or 812-246-5424.

TARC INFO

• As in past years, TARC is providing service into downtown Louisville. Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and know their route number and stop locations for arriving and departing trips. Added service on cross-river Routes 71 and 72 will operate to and from downtown Louisville until bridges are closed when the routes will terminate at Court Avenue and Spring Street in Jeffersonville. Buses on these routes will not make return trips to Indiana after the fireworks due to the closure of the Clark Memorial Bridge. Check out ridetarc.org to plan a route.

ON THE AIR

• If you don’t want to fight the crowds, you can watch a live HD broadcast of Thunder on WDRB-TV. Those wanting to listen along at the event can tune into 106.9 WVEZ.

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