Thunder

Why Louisville and why this particular week? Three words. Thunder Over Louisville. It's the largest fireworks show in North America. Thunder is the kickoff to the two weeks of celebrations for the Kentucky Derby. Some people love Thunder while others stay far away from the crowds (estimated attendance is half a million people). They shoot the fireworks off the 2nd street bridge as well as two barges - one on each side of the bridge. Sure you can watch the fireworks on TV or from inside a building, BUT you have to FEEL the fireworks. They actually pound your chest & vibrate under your feet. Absolutely one of my favorite 28 min. shows ever!

This year we decided to bring the kids so that meant I had to do a little more research on where to stay & what to do. Most years are colder than they are warmer. To get a great seat for the show you have to get there early. I was NOT going to sit for hours outside in the cold with three little ones. Even though there is an air show that starts at 3:00, there was just NO WAY.

Here is how our thunder experience turned out. After checking several downtown hotels, which were outrageously expensive, I found the perfect deal for our family with the Louisville Science Center then booked a cheaper hotel about 15 min. away. We are members at McWane Science Center in Birmingham, which got us member status at LSC. The Thunderblast Package as they called it, got us a guaranteed parking spot (Ben said that was his favorite part) as well as the perfect viewing spot under the interstate in the science center parking lot.

Yes it was a little breezy down there, but the great thing was we didn't have to stay there the whole time. We had wrist bands that allowed us access to the Science Center inside where it was nice and warm. We arrived around 1:00 to check-in and then starting at 2:00 they had different science experiments and crafts inside the center and outside down at the parking lot. The kids got to do things like make their own origami hats.

Make their own helicopters and then "fly" them off the balcony.

Plus, since we have never been to this science center every exhibit was new to us. The third floor was full of just how the human body works. Caden said his favorite was this particular bone exhibit. It showed just what bones you are using when you workout.

There was also plenty of different exhibits to have a hands on building experience.

I wasn't able to take pictures of our entire day, but we also got to see experiments like a mentos/coke explosion, elephant toothpaste, exploding hydrogen balloons, and how fireworks get their colors. We also had a wonderful meal provided right before we sat down to view the fireworks. So we came to be entertained by fireworks and we got to be entertained while we waited! I didn't even try to take a picture myself of the fireworks, we were too busy, however I will provide you with this from the thunder website.


Doesn't do it justice, but maybe you can get just a glimpse of why I love thunder. Even after having a great parking spot, a great view of the show, and being able to stay inside most of the day, we still had to face the fact that we would have to drive back to the hotel with all the other thousands of people. Or did we? NOPE. I signed us up for the late viewing of the IMAX movie Sharks. To this momma it was a long day, but the perfect thunder experience. My favorite part....the inside bathrooms ;) No porta-potty germs for us!