13th Sarasota "Thunder By the Bay" - Jan. 7th to 9th

This is a great 3 day event that sponsors and benefits Sun Coast Charities for Childrens on the west coast of Florida, in Sarasota.

South of Tampa-St. Petersburg - It makes for another great ride across the state to a beautiful location surrounded by water.

Click here for a full schedule of events.

The 13th Annual Thunder By the Bay Festival kicks off with a “Born To Be Wild” Kickoff Party on Friday, January 7, beginning at 7:00 pm at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Tickets are $15 and guest will enjoy live entertainment by Billy Rice and the Tucci Group. The fun continues on Saturday, January 8, with a “Dealer Dollar Day” Ride (Registration from 9am – 11am at the Holiday Inn Airport) and then a Downtown Festival from 4-11 pm. On Sunday the Festival continues with a “Cruise for Cash” (Registration 9am-11 am at Centennial Park) and Downtown Festival from 11 am until 6pm featuring a 13 class bike show, “Miss Thunder By The Bay” finals, vendor displays, live entertainment, great food, and eight various music artists (One Night Rodeo, Sean Chambers Band, Nuthin Fancy, Gumbo Boogie Band, Highway to Hell, Bobby Friss, D15 and MarcAnthony Roman).

To date, over $700,000 has been raised from this annual Festival to help local children and families in the Sarasota area. Suncoast Charities (formerly know as the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped) is a non-profit agency supporting local charities serving children with special needs such as Special Olympics, Community Haven and Adult Center, The Florida Center and Loveland Center. Festival Director, Lucy Nicandri, is at the helm with Mike Welch as this year’s Volunteer Festival Chair.


This annual Festival draws over 30,000 into the Sarasota area throughout the weekend and this year’s host hotel is the Holiday Inn Airport. 


13th Annual Thunder By the Bay 2011, from January 7th-9th. http://www.thunderbythebay.org/



Festival Hotline: (941) 371-8820 ext 1800, Sponsored by Born to Ride