After 17 years as a premier regional biker event, Sarasota’s“Thunder by the Bay” roars into town once again this January, offering the best in entertainment food and fun! This event came from humble beginnings but has grown in size and popularity in the past decade and now with four day attendance records totaling over 80,000 there is sure to be something for everyone.
While you visit Sarasota, located on the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida you will enjoy a good feeling in your heart knowing that you are doing something important for a deserving cause. Suncoast Charities for Children produces and is the beneficiary of this festival and since it’s inception the event has raised over 1.5 Million dollars which helps support the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped. This Foundation operates facilities in the area that provide services to over 8,000 special needs children, teens, adults and their families. Those facilities and organizations are: Children First, Sarasota County Special Olympics, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities, and Loveland Center. suncoastcharitiesforchildren.org
This event isn’t just for bikers however. The City of Sarasota has designed the event to be a “Family Friendly Festival” with diversified entertainment and fun for all that attend.
Beginning on Thursday January 8, “Knights Trail Range” kicks off the event with a BANG with a Sporting Clay Tournament. Registration begins at 11:00AM Lunch at 11:30 and the Clay Pigeons become extinct starting at 1:00PM.
Friday offers the “Born to be Wild” Kickoff party at The Francis Ballroom at Louie’s Modern (7PM till Midnight). Plus the Sarasota County Fairgrounds will host a “Food Truck Roundup” featuring a wide variety of food and a live music schedule (5Pm till 10PM).
Saturday is rockin’ with the Harley-Davidson dealer event at Rossiter’s Harley- Davidson and Manatee River Harley-Davidson (9AM till 4PM) and Downtown Sarasota opens up Main Street for the “Downtown Festival”there will be vendors, demos, food and live music featuring Full Circle, Category Three, Rockit Fly and Stormbringer. Special guest Bobby Friss takes the stage at 9:30PM (11:00AM till 11:00PM). Just when you think you’ve had enough fun you realize that the biggest baddest bike show in the area is right here in downtown Sarasota! The “Light up the Night”bike show will be held on South Palm Avenue in Downtown Sarasota. Registration is from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
Don’t even think about going home Sunday! The “Finz Finds Cruise for Cash”kicks off at 9:00AM at Sarasota Ford. Register before 11:00AM to be eligible to win $4,000.00 in cash prizes! While you’re there the CMA Faith Riders #594 will bless your bikes. The Downtown Festival continues with more food, fun and live music featuring Dyersburg, Lazy Bonez AND at 4:30PM get ready to let yer hair down with Great White! The daytime version of the 16 class Bike Show on South Palm Avenue in Downtown Sarasota begins with registration at 10:30AM.
Be sure to support the sponsors of this event which include Born to Ride Multimedia, Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson, Manatee River Harley-Davidson, Sarasota Ford, Budweiser, FCCI Insurance Group, Bright House and a host of others. For more info visit thunderbythebay.org
Beginning on Thursday January 8, “Knights Trail Range” kicks off the event with a BANG with a Sporting Clay Tournament. Registration begins at 11:00AM Lunch at 11:30 and the Clay Pigeons become extinct starting at 1:00PM.
Friday offers the “Born to be Wild” Kickoff party at The Francis Ballroom at Louie’s Modern (7PM till Midnight). Plus the Sarasota County Fairgrounds will host a “Food Truck Roundup” featuring a wide variety of food and a live music schedule (5Pm till 10PM).
Saturday is rockin’ with the Harley-Davidson dealer event at Rossiter’s Harley- Davidson and Manatee River Harley-Davidson (9AM till 4PM) and Downtown Sarasota opens up Main Street for the “Downtown Festival” there will be vendors, demos, food and live music featuring Full Circle, Category Three, Rockit Fly and Stormbringer. Special guest Bobby Friss takes the stage at 9:30PM (11:00AM till 11:00PM). Just when you think you’ve had enough fun you realize that the biggest baddest bike show in the area is right here in downtown Sarasota! The “Light up the Night” bike show will be held on South Palm Avenue in Downtown Sarasota. Registration is from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
Don’t even think about going home Sunday! The “Finz Finds Cruise for Cash” kicks off at 9:00AM at Sarasota Ford. Register before 11:00AM to be eligible to win $4,000.00 in cash prizes! While you’re there the CMA Faith Riders #594 will bless your bikes. The Downtown Festival continues with more food, fun and live music featuring Dyersburg, Lazy Bonez AND at 4:30PM get ready to let yer hair down with Great White! The daytime version of the 16 class Bike Show on South Palm Avenue in Downtown Sarasota begins with registration at 10:30AM.
Be sure to support the sponsors of this event which include Born to Ride Multimedia, Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson, Manatee River Harley-Davidson, Sarasota Ford, Budweiser, FCCI Insurance Group, Bright House and a host of others. For more info visit thunderbythebay.org