LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than 2,000 people are working this week to ensure Thunder Over Louisville is a safe kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival for the hundreds of thousands of people who will line the Ohio River.

Mayor Craig Greenberg joined KDF officials and first responders Tuesday to share the game plan for public safety for Saturday's all-day affair.

"It is our absolute top priority, ensuring that everyone who participates in Thunder, who comes to downtown Louisville, has a safe time, first and foremost," Greenberg said.

The city will open the Emergency Operation Center, inside MetroSafe downtown, which be all-hands-on-deck for the Louisville Metro Police Department. There will be five medical tents across the waterfront, and Dr. Jeremy Thomas with UofL Health said the tents will be staffed with professionals ready for any medical emergencies and things as small as sunburns and ankle sprains.

"We will have nurses and volunteers stationed in each tent and we have two emergency physicians that will be moving around the area, available for any major issues that come up," Thomas said. "And we have access to EMS for any patients that may need medication or transport to a facility."

The day begins with an airshow that includes a variety of military aircraft and aerial acts. Look to the sky over the Ohio River to see numerous aerobatic routines and some of the most unique aircraft in the country, many of them having a connection to the Louisville area. Highlights include:

  • Air Force Viper Demo and Heritage Flight
  • Air Force C-17 Demo (with an aerial refueling demonstration)
  • Navy Growler with Legacy Flight
  • U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue
  • Matt Younkin’s "Magic by Moonlight" performance
  • Vintage Champion Air Racer "Mr. Mulligan"
  • Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Demo

IMAGES | Air show soars above downtown for Thunder Over Louisville 2023

The big event is the 30-minute fireworks along the waterfront from two barges and the 2nd Street Bridge. It's the longest continuous fireworks show in the U.S. 

Start your day with WDRB Mornings from 6-10 a.m. Saturday to know what to expect. Then stay with us all day: 

  • 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Inside Thunder on WDRB
  • 11 a.m. to noon: Crossroads: The Making Of Thunder
  • Noon to 3 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Kick-Off
  • 3-8 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Air Show
  • 8-9:30 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Pre-Fireworks Show
  • 9:30-10 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Fireworks Show
  • 10-11 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Wrap-Up
  • 11-11:30 p.m.: Thunder on WDRB: Fireworks (R)

"There is truly something for everyone," Greenberg said.

And to see the full list of interstate, surface street and bridge closures for Saturday in Kentucky and Indiana, click here.

WDRB personalities will be on both sides of the Ohio River bringing you all the people, planes and fireworks. Of course, you can watch on TV, but you can take WDRB with you. 

The full day of broadcasting will be on our WDRB.com website, the WDRB News app, the WDRB+ TV anywhere app for your phone, and the WDRB+ streaming app on your Fire, Apple or Roku TV. 

To learn how to download the apps, click here.

Thunder Over Louisville Coverage:

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