"Thunder Over Louisville" Kicks Off Kentucky Derby Festival. Protestors Mentioned.

The Courier-Journal ^ | 4-13-2003 | By Chris Kenning

[BlueOneGolf]

Fireworks soared over the Ohio River, seen from Jeffersonville, Ind., last night during Thunder Over Louisville. Photo by Durell Hall Jr

Thunderous salutes Patriotic displays carry the day at wartime show

By Chris Kenning The Courier-Journal

Thousands of revelers lined the waterfront last night for the 14th annual Thunder Over Louisville air and fireworks show, a celebration saturated with wartime patriotism.

Under cloudless skies, flag-waving spectators dressed in red, white and blue watched about 50,000 multicolored shells shoot skyward to stirring music -- impressing first-timers and those who attend the Kentucky Derby Festival kickoff every year.

Before the pyrotechnics, crowds cheered as combat jets made earsplitting dives and attack helicopters hovered and swooped during a six-hour performance. The air show's theme was a 100th-anniversary salute to the Wright brothers' flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C.

Despite the war in Iraq, which organizers initially thought might limit available military planes, more than 70 civilian and military aircraft flew for the daytime air show, including an F-16 Fighting Falcon and two Navy F/A-18 Hornets. Several Navy gunboats also sped past the riverfront.

American flags and red, white and blue clothing were everywhere on the waterfront's Great Lawn and downtown yesterday. Kevin Maurer, 36, of Jeffersonville, Ind., pitched a tent in Waterfront Park and also put up two giant American flags on poles and hung handmade posters urging people to support U.S. troops. Thunder Over Louisville was the perfect opportunity to ''thank the troops and show our patriotism,'' Maurer said.

Earlier in the day, Spc. Frank McDermott, of the Army National Guard, stood near a display of Humvees and other Army vehicles. McDermott said there was an unusually high level of interest in the display. ''There's been a lot of people just shaking our hands and saying 'Thanks,' '' McDermott said. George Zambelli, 78, the president of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, which stages the fireworks, said he anticipated such sentiment and added more patrioticthemed shells and music.

Miles away from the waterfront, about 50 members of Louisville's peace movement marched from the Bellarmine University campus to the Friends Meeting House on Bon Air Avenue, where they held a ''Silent Thunder'' service. ''We are definitely protesting the militarism in our country today. A lot of Thunder Over Louisville tends to be militaristic,'' said Sam Avery, a participant.

[BlueOneGolf]

Link for full article and link for more pics.

http://www.courierjournal.com/localnews/2003/04/13ky/ke041303s395599.htm

I would've organized a FReep of the Leftist's pity party but I decided I was going to enjoy myself and celebrate our great city of Louisville, our Republic and our Armed Forces. Apparently 750,000 other people felt the same way. This Sam Avery is a big organizer of Louisville's Lefty peacenik community and I emailed him asking why they didn't protest down at the Waterfront. Perhaps it's because they only prefer to protest when they are assured of having superior numbers. I would have loved to see 50 vs. 750,000 LOL!

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[BlueOneGolf]

Let's try this link again:

http://www.courierjournal.com/localnews/2003/04/13ky/ke041303s395599.htm

Link to full article and pics.

[Ciexyz]

Ah, Kentucky Derby time again - I luv it.

[LanPB01]

I remember my last Thunder Over Louisville experience during my undergraduate days at U of L. I volunteered to sell soda for some organization (can't remember which one now), and got cursed at all day long for the outrageous price I was charging. It didn't matter that I had no say in the pricing.

Time is running out for me to appear at any of the patriot counter-protests (grad school keeps you busy on the weekends), and it looks as if everything is going to be wrapped up in Iraq soon. I guess the leftist crazies might find something else to protest, such as the amount of litter left by the coalition forces. Or maybe they'll protest the fact that U.S. forces haven't already established clinics for the one force that really drive them - their fanatical love of abortion.

[vharlow]

Me too. This year, we are going. We get there in time for the Oaks and then the very BIG Derby the next day! We did it years ago as well, but this time, I think I will enjoy it more. Crowd and all! It will be an American crowd! Yessireeee.

[Severa]

*S* Hope you have a great time! I'm originally from Louisville but have not been to a KY Derby (it costs $40 just to get in the infield on Derby Day, a bit high for me in the past). Be prepared for a hell of a crowd as attendance figures for the Derby the past couple of years has been up around 140,000 and around 80,000 for the Oaks.

[apackof2]

Me too
I watch all the races every year, still hoping for a Triple Crown winner
If you love horse racing you must read "Seabiscuit" by Laura Hilldenbrand.
Hollyweird has made a movie based on book due out this summer

[Ciexyz]

We're due for a Triple Crown winner, doncha think? Here's keeping fingers crossed for the upcoming races!

[apackof2]

We're due for a Triple Crown winner, doncha think?

Oh absolutely!
I was sooooo disappointed when Funny cide lost his last race but hope springs eternal.....this could be the year!

[Ciexyz]

Damn but wasn't that a great Derby race today! Came right down to the wire. Wa-hoo!