Originally Posted by
Retired Fire Chief
I'm in Saginaw and even though some of Michigan is remarkable, I'm from Louisville KY and I think Kentucky really outshines Michigan by miles. You should plan to go to Louisville for derby week. Festivities start the week before the race with hot air balloon races, a huge parade through town that is reminiscent of Macys parades, thunder over Louisville that is one of the largest fireworks displays in the US - there is something going on every day. And there is so much else to do in the city, the wonderful Brown theater, casino's on the river if you are a gambler, wonderful shops - need I say more!
Actually, everything starts two weeks before Derby, it's called Derby Festival. Thunder is April 12 and it IS the biggest fireworks show in the country that is not the 4th of July. Thunder Over Louisville is a huge air show that kicks off Derby. I'm pretty sure I heard the Blue Angels will be here this year. If you are thinking about coming to Louisville for this call the Galt House NOW to see if there are any rooms left. That is the best view. The Indiana side of the river always looks less crowded. There is a restaurant called Buckhead's that sits right on the Ohio that is great to watch Thunder from. There is a Tumbleweed Restaurant on the KY side that is also really great to watch it from. Free seats are on the riverfront wherever you can find one. But Kentucky is a beautiful state this time of year. During mid-April for just about two weeks we have all these flowering dog weed trees in bloom.