The Thunder by the Bay 2011 Sarasota Motorcycle Festival Kick Starts the New Year!Held annually in the downtown Sarasota area, this event starts off the Sun Coast’s New Year of festivals and fun. Last year's event, the 12th anniversary of the festival, attracted upwards of 20,000 fun and friendly revelers on the streets of downtown Sarasota. It was a great way to begin the new year under sunny skies and near 80 degree temperatures (That was last year!). Looking back: On hand in 2008 to help make the day more festive were nationally renowned bike builders Eddie Trotta, the Detroit Brothers, Kate O'Shea and Brad Ruel. Plus there were appearances by "The Romanator," featured on TV's A&E Network show, "Knievel's Wild Ride" and the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" Captains Jonathon Hillstrand and Keith Colburn. Just goes to show that you never know who you'll see here! The pictures on this page are of the "Thunder By the Bay" Sarasota Motorcycle Festival held on Sunday, the last day of the event, in downtown Sarasota as part of the grand finale to the three day celebration and fund raiser.
This festival for bikers of all ages, from all over, starts on Friday evening with a “Born to Be Wild” Kick-off Party at 7:30 p.m. at the PAL Sailor Circus Arena. Admission is $15 - $20. The evening features a silent auction and live bands. Saturday it’s the open air “Triple ‘B’ Bike Fest Day” with a BBQ, Bands and Bikes party at Sarasota's Payne Park, 2050 Adams Lane. This free admission festival runs from 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Featured will be: food and drinks, bike demonstrations and live music. The three day Thunder by the Bay festival concludes on Sunday with both a Bike Show and a $1000 top prize Poker Run ("Cruise for Cash") that begins at Sarasota's Centennial Park at 9 a.m. with all bikers welcome. Registration is $10 - $20. Proceeds benefit The Suncoast Charities for Children.   The Sunday "Bike Show" takes place at downtown's Five Points Park while the "Downtown Festival and Bike Show" takes place along Main Street just off U.S. Rt. 41, in downtown Sarasota from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to be outside and check out American and Import Class motorcycles, including: Vintage Harley-Davidson, Custom Metric “Touring and Cruiser” Classes, Vintage Class, Buell Class and many others.
Whether you are a “biker” or just a fan, it’s a fun time to walk around and “owww” and “ahhh” at the bikes on display.     This Festival in recent years earned and donated over $190,000 and over 11 years it has donated well over $725,000 to needy children and their families through Suncoast Charities for Children. That's a long way from the first Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Motorcycle festival in 1998 when there were only 100 riders and they only raised $100. The festival has grown over the years into a now large group of good and big hearted bikers who bring “Thunder” to Sarasota and its surrounding areas to kick-start each New Year. We hope to see you at the next one here in sunny Sarasota, Florida!   Get more information about the 2011 Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Motorcycle Festival, which will be January 7 - 9, by calling the festival hot line at: 941-371-8820 ext. 1800 or by clicking here: Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Motorcycle Festival
Return from Thunder by the Bay Sarasota Motorcycle Festival to Sarasota Calendar of Events.
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