SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) -The 23rd Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival took take place on February 19-21 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds to benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. This year’s festival was presented by Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson and S&S Motorsports and featured two bike shows, a motorcycle stereo “sound off” competition, over 80 vendors, continuous live music, a motorcycle builders invitational, and more! The featured headliner for this year’s Festival was Molly Hatchet. Other bands included Maiden Cane, Greg Billings Band, One Night Rodeo, The Tucci Project, The Lost Boys, Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio, and Nobody’s Fool. Guests were encouraged to bring their own lawn chair and/or blanket. On Sunday, February 21, a very special Motorcycle Charity Ride took place honoring first responders, veterans, active-duty military, and our country. Sarasota Mayor, Hagen Brody, lead the ride as the Honorary Grand Marshal. The ride went from Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson and ended at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.
Proceeds raised from Thunder By The Bay provide financial support to Suncoast Charities for Children impacting six local non-profit agencies serving over 8,000 children, teens, and adults with special needs. These agencies include The Haven, Loveland Center, Children First, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Special Olympics Florida/Sarasota County, and Venice Challenger Baseball. Last year’s Festival raised $150,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children and generated an economic impact of $7.2 Million. Over the past 22 years, Thunder By The Bay has raised $1.9 Million for charity. The festival is always open rain or shine. Expanded safety precautions and social distancing measures were of course implemented.