Thunder By the Bay revs up for Sarasota

This year’s Thunder By the Bay Motorcycle Festival returns Jan. 7-9, and kicks off with a “Born to be Wild” party at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

The excitement continues from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, with a “Dealer Dollar Day” ride at the Holiday Inn Airport, followed by the downtown festival from 4-11 p.m. on Main Street. The festival also runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan 9, and features a 13-class bike show, “Miss Thunder By the Bay” finals, vendor displays and live entertainment.

Each year, the Thunder By the Bay festival draws about 30,000 people to the Sarasota area. To date, more than $700,000 has been raised to help local children and families. Proceeds benefit Suncoast Charities for Children, a nonprofit agency that supports children with special needs such as Special Olympics, Community Haven and Adult Center, The Florida Center and Loveland Center.

For information, call 371-8820, Ext. 1800, or visit www.thunderbythebay.org.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].