LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies, Thunder Over Louisville, returns this Saturday with a full day of entertainment, including a packed air show lineup.
The event, set for April 18, will feature a mix of military and civilian performers taking to the skies over the Ohio River. Organizers say the lineup includes a variety of aircraft and demonstrations, ranging from vintage planes to modern military jets.
Among the scheduled acts are the U.S. Air Force F-16 Demo Team, the Wisconsin Air National Guard F-35, and a Heritage Flight formation. Other highlights include the MV-22 Osprey, Kentucky Air National Guard C-130J formations, and multiple aerobatic performers.
Here’s the full Thunder Air Show 2026 lineup:
- Ace Maker T-33
- Britt Lincoln Extra 300
- Charlie Morris Airshows
- CT-142 Royal Canadia Air Force
- Grumman G-44 Widgeon
- KY ANG – C-130J Formation
- KY ANG STS (HALO)
- KY ANG – UH 60 Blackhawks
- LA ANG F-15C “The Bayou Militia”
- LMPD River Patrol Rescue Demo
- Matt Younkin Twin Beech 18
- MV-22 Osprey
- Skyliners T-34 Mento
- Smoke On Aviation
- Trojan Thunder T-28
- USAF F-16 Demo Team
- USAF Heritage Flight Formation
- USAF P-51 Demonstration
- USAF T-6 Formation
- USAF T-38 Formation
- Wisconsin ANG F-35
- Waco Taperwing “KONG”
- WV ANG “Charlie West” C130J-30 Super Hercules
- YAK-15
The show will also feature demonstrations from local agencies, including a river rescue display by Louisville Metro Police…