Each year, more than 500,000 people are witness to the largest annual fireworks display in America. It’s the beginning of the Kentucky Derby Festival and the unofficial start of springtime in the city.

The 28-minute fireworks show, Thunder Over Louisville, launches in a suite on the 24th Floor of the Galt House, where a command center coordinates everything from the soundtrack to traffic on the Ohio River. This is the 25th year and, with good weather expected, maybe the best yet.

Alpha Energy Solutions keeps personnel with HVAC parts and other equipment at the site to assure that the HVAC, boilers, refrigeration units, and hot water systems are functioning properly at the Galt House. Of course, Alpha has several clients under Preventative Maintenance contracts downtown and provides 24/7 HVAC parts and emergency services if needed.

Alpha Energy Solutions is taking part in several other Kentucky Derby Festival events in 2014. For the first time, Alpha will have an entry in the Great Bed Races, which takes place on April 28 at Broadbent Arena. An Alpha racing bed, constructed by the Alpha Energy Solutions racing team in North Carolina, will be driven by our own Ben Rhodes in the competition.

Three days later, Alpha will enter the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade downtown, featuring the Alpha Energy Solutions #41 race car and Rhodes. For that event, there is a preview party at the Kentucky Exposition Center on Tuesday night. The parade is Thursday, May 1.