PLEASE NOTE: Due to predictions of highly inclement weather conditions on April 12th, the entire Thunder Over Louisville celebration has unfortunately been cancelled by the Kentucky Derby Festival. Although we are disappointed by this turn of events, we hope to bring our Sober Safe Spot to next year's Thunder Day!
Need your fill of Avenues until the next event? Fill out this form to be entered in to a raffle for free Avenues swag!![15 winners will be chosen.]
April 2025 – After a resoundingly successful debut in 2024, Sober Safe Spot is returning to Thunder Over Louisville! They will bring their safe zone and sober fellowship (and swag, music, entertainment, and more😉) to Kentucky’s signature “Thunder Over Louisville” event.
Thunder Over Louisville kicks off Derby season with a bang—literally and figuratively. It's one of the city's most anticipated spectacles, drawing huge crowds and setting the tone for the weeks ahead as the legendary Kentucky Derby unfolds. But for individuals navigating recovery, it can be a tough space to enter. Like most major public celebrations, alcohol is deeply woven into the fabric of the event, with bars and drink stands everywhere. Without a solid support system, staying sober in the middle of that scene can feel overwhelming, even impossible - leading many to sit it out entirely.
But recovery isn't about retreat. It's about living fully and freely, without fear, embracing the experiences of life with an open heart and mind. And that’s the spirit behind Sober Safe Spot. This initiative was created with the mission to create alcohol-free, judgment-free zones at festivals and social events, so that those in recovery don’t have to miss out. Picture a safe space filled with music, friendly faces, fun giveaways, and genuine community - a place where celebration and sobriety can exist side by side. Sober Safe Spot ensures that recovery doesn’t mean staying on the sidelines; it means showing up and showing the world that recovery is joyful and rich with beauty.
After a warm reception and incredibly positive feedback in 2024, Sober Safe Spot will once again bring their designated safe space to the annual Thunder Over Louisville celebration!
Their spot will be open on Thunder Day, Saturday, April 12th at 421-423 E Riverside Dr, Clarksville, IN 47129, next to Ashland Park and Windows Walk Ice Cream Store. From 12:00 pm EST until fireworks are over, there’ll be a crew of spirited sober folk waiting to greet and hang with you!
Join us for a day of awesome free swag, music, entertainment, food, fireworks, and endless love and sober support for the recovery community!
Are you ready to thunder sober??
Sober Safe Spot is a nonprofit organization facilitated and sponsored by Avenues Recovery Center. The mission of Sober Safe Spot is to strengthen and support the recovery community by creating safe, substance-free spaces at every major recreational event.