We’re officially less than a month away from Thunder Over Louisville, which means its time to think about what to wear, what to eat, and what to bring! For those not familiar, Thunder Over Louisville is the annual kickoff of the Kentucky Derby Festival. Each year consists of a huge fireworks show as well as an air show. While the fireworks display isn’t until 9:30, attendees spend the day camped out on the banks of the Ohio River with some even on boats in the River.
Thunder Over Louisville: Top Tips for Enjoying Your Day #louisville Click To Tweet{This post is sponsored by Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen and may contain affiliate and/or referral links. All opinions shared are my own. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link in this post. Thank you for your support of What Nicole Wore.}
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Thunder Over Louisville: Top Tips for Enjoying Your Day | What to Wear
You for sure will want to wear layers that are easy to both throw on and remove. April in Louisville can be a whole range of weather and even seasons. I’d recommend going with a medium sized crossbody purse so that you can easily go hands free without worrying about being weighed down. This magenta bag from Vera Bradley is adjustable and has room for your wallet but also pockets for all your necessities.
Sharing all about the perfect crossbody for spring festivals and markets! Click To TweetRELATED: Advice to My 18 Year Old Self
I’ve mentioned how much I’m loving yellow for spring; the high neck on this floral top from PinkBlush is so flattering. The back has a flowy detail and will be perfect to wear into summer. I wore mine under a field jacket, but it would look cute paired with a jean jacket as well.
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Thunder Over Louisville: Top Tips for Enjoying Your Day | What to Eat
Since Thunder is an all day affair, I’d recommend bringing your own food. There’s food trucks all over, but the lines can get long and sometimes places will even start to run out of food. If you’re looking for something easy, be sure to stop by Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen! After opening multiple Lexington locations, Vinaigrette opened a Louisville location right by where Hurstbourne and Shelbyville Rd. cross.
All the tea on my fave lunch spot plus the best way to order for #ThunderOverLouisville @vinaigretteky // Click To Tweet
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This location is a regular stop for me; I alternate between sitting down with friends and taking my salad to go. And now there’s a whole new option! Download the Vinaigrette Salads app in the App Store and you can place your order ahead of time. This is hands down the easiest way to get lunch on Thunder day; your lunch will be all packed up for you and you can snag a lemonade while you’re there. {I love to mix the original lemonade with one of the seasonal ones they rotate out!}
My favorite salad on the menu is the Classic Chicken Salad; I always get the blackberry vinaigrette mixed in and it is DELICIOUS. One of the things that makes Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen stand out is that purchase ingredients from local farmers which in turn enriches the Kentucky economy. I love the “bloom where you’re planted” mentality and knowing that I’m eating fresh ingredients.
Thunder Over Louisville: Top Tips for Enjoying Your Day | What to Bring
We’ve gone over what to wear and even what to eat, but what else should you bring? Definitely bring a picnic blanket – bonus points if you get one that’s plastic or laminated on the bottom. Make sure to bring your soup or salad from Vinaigrette and throw it in a small cooler with some water bottles. I mentioned wanting to bring a crossbody purse; make sure to pack money for parking, allergy medicine {this is PEAK allergy weather for Kentuckiana!}, sunscreen, and sunglasses. While the hope is always for a fun day out in the sun, it’s not unheard of for there to be rain on the day of Thunder.
Thunder Over Louisville: Top Tips for Enjoying Your Day | Your Turn!
Your turn: have you ever been to Thunder over Louisville? If so, what are your top tips for attending?
This is precious. I love your outfit !
Your outfit is the cutest and I’ve been trying to get my butt to Vinaigrette for a while now! Looks so yummy!
I’m so excited it’s Derby Fest season already! Last year it was so cold, so I’m hoping I can wear something like that this year. For sure adding allergy medicine to the packing list though – never thought of that!
Their salads look so yummy! And great outfit too!
OK. Definitely need to be checking out this salad spot. I had no idea it was there! Also, HECK YES to the allergy medicine! Already got my Flonase going for the season and it’s not even warm yet!
This is such a great idea! I still haven’t been to Thunder.
Love love LOVE your yellow top! And that salad looks yummy!
It’s on my bucket list to someday attend the Kentucky Derby and its events!! Sounds like SO much fun, what a cool kick-off!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Aww what great tips! I’ve always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby!
LOVE me some vinaigrette but I amazingly have never tried their chicken salad! This post is making me want some though 😋
ohhh that’s so cool! i’ve never heard about this before but i love the sound of it! also digging your meal in these photos haha looks so yum~
That salad looks amazing!!
I love Thunder and I love Vinaigrette! My tip would definitely be to have a gathering place for friends if you get separated. My cell service is horrible when there’s that many people around, and there’s no hope of texting or calling anyone that falls behind for me!
A crossbody is a must have when going to festivals! I’ve always wanted to go to Thunder Over Louisville, but my husband has always had to go out of town during that weekend, so we’ve never been able to go 🙁
Your outfit is so cute and that salad looks delicious!
Loved your outfit, the yellow top is stunning and the jacket is so cute, love the colour combination.
the yellow top is stunning and the jacket is so cute, love the colour combination.
Sounds like a fun event! My mom was a pro at packing food for outdoor events like this growing up. I need to get into the habit of doing that myself!
First of all, you look amazing in yellow, totally your color! Secondly, that salad looks delish!
Now I’m craving some salads! Can’t wait for Derby time!
Oooo lady! Yellow is your color!
I haven’t. but thanks for these tips!
This sounds like a super fun event! I love your outfit, super cute!
I’ve never done much in Louisville before, I’ll have to check this event out!
This salad looks so tasty and this event sounds like such a good time!
That salad looks delicious! Looks like something I could take for lunch at work!
Katie | http://www.millennialonthemove.com