The Kentucky Derby Festival's Thunder Over Louisville 2022 will again take over the Louisvill'es downtown waterfront on April 23, with a fireworks display and air show that kicks off at 3 p.m.

For those heading to the show, here's what you need to know about what you can and can't bring and other pieces of advice to make your long Thunder day a success. 

Waterfront Park opens at 11 a.m. and the Meijer Family Fun Zone, Ford's Thunder on the Ground, and Thunder Chow Wagon open at 11 a.m. The air show begins at 3 p.m. with fireworks starting after dark, usually sometime around 9:30 p.m.

Download this Thunder Over Louisville guide:Cell service may be spotty! Have this saved on your phone

Admission to all festival-run areas requires a 2022 Pegasus Pin, which is $6 in advance or $7 at the gate.  A pin is good for admission to many Kentucky Derby Festival events through May 7.

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First, bring your patience. This is not an event for the crowd-shy.

Second, take some day-of-show photos of your children to show police officers in case they get lost.

We also can't recommend enough that you bring some toilet paper or tissues (Thunder pots can run out).

It's also not a bad idea to download a radio app on your phone to keep up to date on the events of the day. Air show commentary will be on MIX 106.9. 

Lastly, a full tank of gas is a must. Downtown Louisville and Jeffersonville will be like parking lots from 9:45 p.m. to eternity. 

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For safety reasons, the following are not permitted in the event area, which goes south from the Ohio River to Main Street between Clay Street to 10th Street and includes the Thunder Chow Wagon, Meijer Family Fun Zone on the West Belvedere and North Great Lawn viewing area. 

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First, be sure to dress in layers as the temperature can vary throughout the day along the river. Sunscreen and a hat are a must-have, regardless of the weather.

Wearing comfortable shoes is a must. That means sturdy sneakers.

Earplugs for you and your children will help with the loud noises from the air and fireworks shows. It will help protect your eardrums.

If you drive, you should plan to park as far away from the event area as you can comfortably walk. You'll be grateful at the end of the night when you walk past all the cars waiting in lines. 

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Use TARC buses to get to the event using normal routes. The agency will expand its services downtown all day.

Find more information at thunderoverlouisville.org.

Reach Features News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.