Events will be held at the Science Center, 727 West Main Street, except where noted.
For more information, call (502) 561-6100 or (800) 591-2203.
ThunderBlast!
Saturday, April 22, 2006
1:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Louisville Science Center
Officially sanctioned event of the Kentucky Derby Festival
Purchase Tickets Online!
Find the answers to frequently asked questions here!
Watch Thunder Over Louisville from the Louisville Science Center, which offers a prime riverfront view of the fireworks!
The eighth annual ThunderBlast! is the most explosive Thunder party on the riverfront, featuring a catered meal, activities for all ages, complete access to the Science Center, security, restroom facilities, carnival-style food vendors and more!
ThunderBlast! proceeds benefit the Science Center's educational programs.
Click here for Non-member Adult: $65.00 each
Click here for Member Adult: $55.00 each
Click here for Children (2-12): $25.00 each
Click here for Parking Pass: $20.00 each for ThunderBlast! Ticket Patrons
Parking Passes are available for non-ThunderBlast! Ticket Patrons for $30.00 each. Click here to buy online.
Ticket price includes:
- Complete access to the ThunderBlast! viewing area in the Louisville Science Center's riverside parking lot from 1:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Science Center and IMAX® Theatre will close to the public at 6:00 p.m. and to our guests at 11:00 p.m.
- One meal and two drink tickets per person
- Please to request a vegetarian entree.
- KidBlast! tent with activities from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Inflatables for kids
- Tickets to IMAX® films, at member prices
- Convenient access to I-64 East and West via 9th Street
- Option to purchase tickets to the 10:15 p.m. IMAX® film, MYSTERY OF THE NILE-- why wait in traffic? Click here to purchase advance tickets.
New this year! ThunderBlast! guests will receive FREE admission to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory on Thunder day until 7:00 p.m.
V.I.P. ThunderBlast! All Access Pass
Click here to BUY TICKETS ONLINE!
Find the answers to frequently asked questions here!
V.I.P. THUNDERBLAST! All Access Pass at the Louisville Science Center is a great place to spend Thunder Over Louisville. V.I.P. Passes give you access to all the outdoor festival fun at ThunderBlast!, but also include indoor, climate-controlled table seating in our fourth floor Riverview Room, a gourmet dinner buffet, and many more upgraded amenities. The Riverview Room has a full wall of windows that overlook the Ohio River and has an amazing view of Thunder Over Louisville.
Your V.I.P. THUNDERBLAST! All Access Pass includes:
- Great view of fireworks in the the fourth floor Riverview Room
- Indoor, climate-controlled table seating
- Convenient parking space
- Selection of appetizers from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Gourmet dinner from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Coffee and desserts following dinner until 10 p.m.
- Snacks, dinner and desserts for children
- Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages available all day
- Three drink tickets for BBC beer, wine and cocktails for adults
- Complimentary IMAX® ticket to the 8:00 p.m. showing of MYSTERY OF THE NILE
- Complete access to all the fun at THUNDERBLAST! and the Louisville Science Center. The Louisville Science Center and IMAX® Theatre will close sharply at 11:00 p.m.
New This Year! FREE admission to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory until 7:00 p.m.
TICKETS:
Member Adult Admission: $200.00
Non-Member Adult Admission: $225.00
Child (2-12) Admission: $85.00
Call today to reserve your V.I.P. All Access Pass to THUNDERBLAST! Space is limited. Call (502) 561-6100 ext. 6111.
Click here to BUY TICKETS ONLINE!
HOSPITALITY VILLAGE: Exclusive to groups!
The ThunderBlast! Hospitality Village is the best way to entertain your clients or employees for Thunder Over Louisville. Separated from the crowds, you'll enjoy a full day of festivities from the comfort of your own Hospitality Tent.
We especially acknowledge the following ThunderBlast! sponsors!
Main Street Brewery
Find the answers to frequently asked questions here!
The Louisville Science Center is proud to be a Big Bang Thunder Funder.
Learn more about Thunder Over Louisville!
Return to top
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ThunderBlast! and V.I.P. THUNDERBLAST! All Access Pass?
V.I.P. THUNDERBLAST! All Access Passes give you access to all the outdoor festival fun at ThunderBlast! in the Riverside parking lot plus much more! Leave your umbrellas and folding chairs at home, as you will enjoy indoor, climate-controlled table seating in our fourth floor Riverview Room. The Riverview Room has a full wall of windows that overlook the Ohio River and has an amazing view of Thunder Over Louisville. Instead of the picnic-style catered meal outside, you will receive appetizers from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., a gourmet dinner buffet from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and coffee and desserts following dinner until 10:00 p.m. You also receive complimentary non-alcoholic beverages all day, three drink tickets for BBC beer, wine and cocktails for adults, an IMAX® ticket to the 8:00 p.m. showing of MYSTERY OF THE NILE.
Can I see the fireworks from inside the Science Center?
No. The viewing area for the air show and fireworks is outside, in the Louisville Science Center Riverside parking lot. The entrance is located on the corner of Eighth Street and River Road. ONLY V.I.P. THUNDERBLAST! All Access Pass holders will be able to view fireworks from the fourth floor Riverview Room.
What is the menu for ThunderBlast! ticket holders?
ThunderBlast! tickets include one meal and two drink tickets. An individual dining tent is available to all guests. Food will be served from 3:00 to 8:30 p.m. The adult menu is: cole slaw, fresh fruit salad, choice of pulled BBQ chicken sandwich or grilled hamburger, and chocolate brownies. The child menu is: potato chips, applesauce, choice of hotdog or hamburger, and chocolate chip cookies.
Please to request a vegetarian entree. Carnival-style food vendors will have additional food available for purchase.
Beverages will be available from 1:00 to 10:30 p.m. ThunderBlast! ticket purchase includes two drink tickets, which can be used for soft drinks, bottled water, juice, beer and wine. Additional drinks may be purchased.
What is the menu for V.I.P. THUNDERBLAST! All Access Pass?
If you have a V.I.P. THUNDERBLAST! All Access Pass, instead of the picnic-style catered meal outside, you will be able to enjoy the following menu in the fourth floor Riverview Room inside the Science Center.
V.I.P. Adult Appetizers
Fresh Raw Vegetable Display with Ranch and Tomato Artichoke Dips
Domestic Cheese Display
Assorted Deli Cocktail Sandwich Wraps
V.I.P. Children's Snacks
Snow Cones, Cotton Candy, Franks in a Blanket, Caramel Apples
V.I.P. Adult Dinner Buffet
Chicken Helene, Sautéed and Braised in a White Wine finished with Quartered Mushrooms, Tomatoes, and Artichokes.
Chef Carved Cajun Roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Au Jus and Horseradish
Vegetable Lasagna for vegetarians
Classic Spinach Salad
Country Greek Salad
Grilled Squash, Zucchini and Onion Medley
Herb Roasted New Potatoes
Assorted Gourmet Breads
V.I.P Children's Dinner Buffet
Fresh Fruit and Berries
Southern Fried Chicken Tenders
Cheese Pizza
Country Style Green Beans
V.I.P. Adult Desserts
Chocolate Bourbon Truffles, White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Derby Pie Wedges, and Petite Cheesecake Cups
V.I.P Children's Desserts
Assorted Fresh Baked Cookies, Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Mousse Scrumptions
V.I.P All Day Beverage Service
Soft Drinks, Lemonade, Iced Tea and Bottled Water
V.I.P. Adult Drink Tickets, 3 per person, may be used for
BBC beer, wine or cocktails
Where do I park?
Parking passes for ThunderBlast! ticket patrons are available for $20.00 each. Non-ThunderBlast! guests may purchase parking passes for $30.00 each. The Advocacy Plaza Parking Garage is conveniently located at 8th and Jefferson Streets, just two blocks away from the Science Center. Clearance is 7'6".
What do I do about the traffic after it is over?
Convenient access is available from the Advocacy Plaza Parking Garage to I-64 East and West via 9th Street. Why wait in traffic? The Science Center is open until 11:00 p.m. and the IMAX® film, MYSTERY OF THE NILE, will show at 10:15 p.m. Advance reservations are encouraged due to possible sellout.
How do I get my tickets and where do I check in?
ThunderBlast! admission tickets will be mailed to you if you order on or before April 14, 2006. After April 14, tickets will be available for pick up 24 hours after they are ordered.
IMAX® tickets will not be mailed to you. They must be picked up at Will Call inside the Science Center on ThunderBlast! day, April 22.
On ThunderBlast! day, April 22, bring ThunderBlast! admission tickets to outside check-in, located at the entrance to the Science Center parking lot at 8th Street and River Road. You will be given a wristband, which allows you to exit and re-enter ThunderBlast!, the Science Center, and the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
What is the day's schedule?
Louisville Science Center and IMAX® Theatre: opens 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (closes at 6:00 p.m. to general public)
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
ThunderBlast!: 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
KidZone sessions: until 8:00 p.m.
Gift shop inside: closes at 6:00 p.m.
Gift shop outside: 1:00 - 9:00 p.m.
KidBlast! tent: 1:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Inflatables: 1:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Face painting: 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Airshow: 3:00 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m..
What about restrooms?
There are port-a-lets and washstands available at ThunderBlast! ThunderBlast! Guests also have access to the restrooms inside the Science Center and Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
What is KidBlast!?
KidBlast! is a large tent with activities for kids of all ages. The activities are sure to keep kids entertained for hours. Exact activities are yet to be determined.
Is there a good view of the fireworks?
ThunderBlast! is in the riverside parking lot, at Eighth and River Road, behind the Science Center. It is at the part of the river that curves around so you have a head-on view of the bridges where the fireworks take place.
Will I have a seat?
Individual tickets do not include a seat. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. A large dining tent is available to all guests throughout the event. Guests are not allowed to bring chairs or blankets into the Science Center. They must be left in the lot at your own risk or you may take them back to your car.
Will I hear the music during the fireworks?
ThunderBlast! will broadcast "Official Thunder Sound" during the airshow and fireworks.
What should I bring?
Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, extra money for vendors, souvenirs and IMAX® tickets and an ID if you plan to consume alcoholic beverages.
No coolers, glass, cans, tents, or pets are allowed in the Louisville Science Center or at ThunderBlast!
ThunderBlast!
Hospitality Village
Saturday, April 22, 2006
1:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Louisville Science Center
Your 20 x 20 Hospitality Tent includes:
- A great view of Thunder fireworks
- Sides, lights, and corporate identity sign
- Table seating for up to 40 guests
- 20 nearby parking spaces
- Satisfying catered meal
- Three drink tickets per person
- Access to all the fun at ThunderBlast! and the Louisville Science Center
New this year! ThunderBlast! guests will have FREE admission to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory on Thunder day until 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $4,200
Call today to reserve your tent for ThunderBlast! Space is limited.
Call (502) 561-6100, ext. 6133.
SECOND SUNDAYS at the Louisville Science Center
Enjoy special entertainment and activities at West Main Street and West Market Street museum attractions on the second Sunday of the month, a new promotion spear-headed by Louisville Central Area. Participating museums and attractions include the Frazier Historical Arms Museum, Glassworks, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville Science Center, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and Muhammad Ali Center. Full of fun for the entire family, Second Sunday hours are from noon to 5 p.m.
The Louisville Science Center is hosting the 2006 Annual Conference of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)!
Louisville, Kentucky - October 28-31, 2006
APPROPRIATE GROWTH
Sustaining Institutional Advancement with Vision
The Louisville Science Center has been chosen to host the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference in October 2006! Professionals in our field will come from all over the world to learn, network and collaborate, as well as share best practices and the newest professional resources. Working with the Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, we have secured a rare opportunity to showcase the transformation of our facilities and programs, as well as the many attributes of our region, to international audiences.
The ASTC Annual Conference is the world's leading professional meeting for science-technology centers and science museums. Conference attendees are drawn from ASTC's 550 institutional members worldwide. Over 1,600 science center directors, scientists, educators, and exhibit creators are expected to attend.
ASTC's 2006 Annual Conference will explore how its member organizations are using appropriate growth to sustain institutional advancement with vision, creativity, good choices and community involvement. Science museum professionals will discuss how they deliver engaging hands-on science and technology learning experiences; reach, attract, and serve new audiences in new ways; find sustainable resources and support; better serve audiences and strengthen operational effectiveness; achieve and maintain financial stability; and increase community impact and relevance.
By being selected to host ASTC's annual conference, the Louisville Science Center is recognized as a leading example of best practices in the science museum field. For more information about the ASTC Conference, click here.