LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - As chances for better weather continue to increase for Saturday's Thunder over Louisville show, it's good news for the people who work so hard all year to put on the big event and for those who come to town to make a little money.
The spectacular fireworks extravaganza and amazing air show that is Thunder Over Louisville will always go on. This year---it's Number 23.
"It's incredible isn't it?" asked the show's long time producer Wayne Hettinger.
Last year, the wet weather threw a major wrench in the plans for Hettinger. "It was kind of a downer for everybody," Hettinger remembered, "because we work on this all year long and then the day comes and so much of it we couldn't do."
Planes had to be rescheduled and the water was so high it washed out viewing on the Great Lawn. "The Kentucky Derby Festival crews and volunteers were up all night trying to move stuff back because the water kept rising," Hettinger said.
This year, Hettinger and his hard working crew are excited about being back on track.
"Yeah, I will take this," he said of the 2012 forecast.
Vendors like Dennis Hamilton of Milwaukee come to the show every year and they're glad they won't be waterlogged after taking a major soaking in 2011 profits. "I tell you it's going to be one thousand percent better," Hamilton said of his sales, "We're expecting record breaking crowds out here so it's going to be a great time."
The other reason to celebrate? Over 90 aircraft this year and a true military celebration with the patriotic theme: A Star Spangled Blast.
Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Dakota Meyer will push the button to launch the light show in the sky. "My love for the military and my respect for these young men and women that are putting it on the line everyday so we can come down here and party, just continues to grow," Hettinger told WAVE 3.
Hettinger hopes everybody coming down to the show will wear their red, white and blue and he asks veterans to pull out their dog tags and wear them proudly.
Even with Thunder, Interstate 71 will still be down to one lane so, Kentucky Derby Festival officials ask the public to leave early and try to figure out other surface streets to make their way into downtown.
Everything you need to know on traffic and parking can be found here.
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