The skies over Louisville won’t light up this April. Thunder Over Louisville, the city’s annual Derby season opener, has been canceled for 2024 due to dangerous flooding along the Ohio River.

Festival organizers made the call late Friday, ending days of speculation and hoping. The news came as river levels continued to surge, and it became clear the logistical heart of the show — the fireworks barges and aerial show markers — wouldn’t be safely deployable in time.

“It’s Just Not Possible This Year,” Says KDF President

Matt Gibson, the Kentucky Derby Festival’s President and CEO, said during a somber press conference that while disappointing, the decision was clear-cut.

“It is a tough decision, but it is the right decision,” he said, standing beside Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and emergency officials.

He explained that rising floodwaters make it impossible to safely anchor the massive fireworks setup or establish the center markers critical for the air show.

Unlike smaller Derby events that can be nudged a day or two, Thunder Over Louisville operates on a scale that makes rescheduling nearly impossible. Gibson laid it out plainly: “This isn’t like moving a balloon release. It’s just not possible.”

A Blow to the Festival’s Finances

The cancellation doesn’t just sting fans. It cuts deep into the Kentucky Derby Festival’s bottom line.

Thunder Over Louisville typically accounts for nearly 50% of the entire festival’s annual revenue. That’s a huge chunk.

This year’s event had been primed for another blockbuster showing — big-name flyovers, top-tier fireworks, and VIP rooftop experiences priced at a premium. All of it, now scrapped.

There’s no rescheduled date on the horizon either.

• Tickets for the Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party will be refunded or credited. Officials say more details are coming soon.

While Thunder’s loss is significant, organizers emphasized that the rest of the Kentucky Derby Festival events will still move forward as planned — unless weather says otherwise.

Ohio River Creeping Toward 2018 Flood Levels

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, speaking during the same press conference, gave the flooding situation some much-needed context.

The Ohio River rose more than five feet in just 24 hours. And that’s not the end of it. Forecasts predict continued swelling over the next 48 to 72 hours, potentially cresting at levels not seen since the city’s last significant flood event in 2018.

“Last night was quiet,” Greenberg said. “Thankfully, no water rescues were needed. But the next few days? We’re watching closely.”

Flood management teams are already on alert, and emergency protocols are in place. While no full-scale evacuations have been ordered, city officials are urging riverside residents and businesses to prepare for more rain and surging levels.

One small win? Despite the flooding, public safety incidents have remained minimal so far.

Thunder’s Absence Leaves a Strange Silence

For Louisvillians, Thunder Over Louisville isn’t just an event. It’s tradition.

It’s the unofficial start of spring, of Derby season, of that electric energy that buzzes through the city every April.

Without the roar of jets and the blast of fireworks, something feels missing this year. Some residents are calling it “eerily quiet.”

Local bars, restaurants, and vendors who rely on Thunder crowds are bracing for financial hits. Hotels expecting last-minute rushes from out-of-towners may have to adjust expectations.

And for locals? It’s a mood shift.

Still, Mayor Greenberg says the spirit of Derby season remains intact. “We may not have Thunder, but we’ve still got the Derby. We’ve still got our community,” he said.

Sports, Floods, and the Show Going On

One thing that isn’t canceled?

The Louisville Bats’ upcoming game against the Indianapolis Indians.

Despite the chaos of the week, Saturday’s 2:05 p.m. matchup is still on. And yes, they’re fully aware of the disappointment surrounding Thunder.

A spokesperson for the Bats released a statement expressing support for the decision: “Although we are saddened to hear Thunder Over Louisville won’t happen as scheduled this year, we understand the decision given the heavy rainfall and flooding across the area.”

The Bats also confirmed Thunder ticket holders would be contacted with more information in the coming days.

It’s one of those strange weekends in Louisville — where baseball continues under grey skies, and the roar of fighter jets is replaced by the steady hum of rising water.

Not the First Time Nature Interrupted

This isn’t the first time Thunder’s faced trouble.

Weather has always been its biggest threat. Rain delays? Sure. Wind cancellations? Occasionally. But a full-blown shutdown from flooding? That’s rare.

The last time the city faced water levels of this magnitude was seven years ago. Back in 2018, the Ohio River reached 36.1 feet. This weekend could match or even exceed that mark, depending on rainfall.

The National Weather Service continues to monitor the situation closely.

Here’s a look at historic crest levels in recent years:

Residents say it’s frustrating, sure, but not entirely shocking. “This weather’s been a mess all week,” said longtime resident Jordan Fields. “I kinda saw it coming, but it still sucks.”

What’s Next for Ticket Holders and Businesses?

While the rest of the Derby Festival carries on, questions remain.

• Will impacted vendors be reimbursed or supported?

• How will the KDF recoup its losses?

• Will next year’s Thunder be expanded to make up for this year’s cancellation?

Festival organizers have promised answers in the coming week. For now, the focus is on public safety, communication, and figuring out the fallout.

One thing’s for sure — the decision wasn’t taken lightly. And for a city that prides itself on its traditions, losing Thunder — even just for one year — leaves a gap that’s hard to fill.