Great White To Headline Music Lineup.
The 17th Annual “Thunder By The Bay” Motorcycle Festival once again promises to be one of Sarasota’s biggest premier events kicking off the new year, presenting Great White in concert! This year’s Festival once again benefits Suncoast Charities for Children and continues to “Honor our veterans, active duty military, and their families”.
A sporting clay tournament, a new event for this year, will be held at Knight’s Trail Park and opens the Festival on Thursday, January 8th. Then on Friday, January 9th, two exciting events are scheduled to take place. A “Born To Be Wild” Kickoff Party at The Francis Ballroom in downtown Sarasota will feature select whiskey, wine, vodka, craft beer, and Jagermeister tasting stations with paired food stations, open bar, and live music by John Rinell “The Voice of Solid Gold”. That same evening a “Food Truck Round-Up” event is scheduled at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds featuring live music by Shotgun Justice and a food truck food court area.
The fun continues with a two day downtown festival on Main Street in Sarasota on Saturday and Sunday, January 10th & 11th. Both days will offer plenty of vendors, great food, two bike shows and continuous live music featuring 80’s classic rock. Bands scheduled to perform include Full Circle, Category Three, Rockit Fly, Stormbringer, Dyersburg, Lazy Bonez, with Special Guest the Bobby Friss Band performing Saturday, January 10th, and Headliner Great White performing on Sunday, January 11th. On Sunday, January 11th, a “Cruise for Cash” motorcycle charity ride will also be held offering $4,000 in cash prizes. Registration is from 9am-11am at Sarasota Ford and ride stops this year will be at various local non-profit agencies that Suncoast Charities for Children supports. This will enable participants of the ride to see first hand how their donations to Suncoast Charities for Children are put to good use in support of local children, teens, and adults with special needs and their families.
At the helm this year are Festival Director Lucy Nicandri (Exec. Director for Suncoast Charities for Children) joined by Volunteer Festival Chair Mike Welch (Board Member of Suncoast Charities for Children). Last year Thunder By The Bay generated an economic impact of $7.4 Million and 5,400 room nights. For Festival event details/updates and for more information about Suncoast Charities for Children visit www.thunderbythebay.org [1]
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