• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Thunder By The Bay roars through Downtown Sarasota

The 18th annual motorcycle festival filled the streets with concerts and bike shows.


  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 7:48 a.m. January 11, 2016
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Vehicles with two wheels ruled the streets the weekend of Jan. 9 for the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay motorcycle festival. 

Motorcycle enthusiasts donned their best leather jackets and vests to take in two day worth of concerts. Main Street was lined with parked motorcycles from Lemon Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue for the festival. Vendors offered accessories from motorcycle bags to custom leather goods, clothing food. 

Guests gathered at the south end of the festival for free concerts all day long. Participants who have been working on their hogs took part in a 17-class bike show that also included three-wheel motorcycles. 

Bob Bonella makes his way down Main Street during the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
Bob Bonella makes his way down Main Street during the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
Trophies for the bike show at the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
Trophies for the bike show at the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
Bob and Cha cha Bonella
Bob and Cha cha Bonella
Chance
Chance "The Biker Dog" proves it not only takes the right wardrobe but also attitude to be a biker.
Valeri Boggs, Marion Cleveland, Krys Dudeck and Chance
Valeri Boggs, Marion Cleveland, Krys Dudeck and Chance "The Biker Dog"
Eileen Ceded known as
Eileen Ceded known as "The Slipper Lady" embroiders a logo to the back of a custom leather jacket.
This hot bike was one of the entries for the bike show Sunday, Jan. 10 at the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
This hot bike was one of the entries for the bike show Sunday, Jan. 10 at the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
Families enjoyed the day browsing motorcycles in Downtown Sarasota for the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
Families enjoyed the day browsing motorcycles in Downtown Sarasota for the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
Sue May tries to wrangle her rebel bulldogs Dexter and Otis for a photo.
Sue May tries to wrangle her rebel bulldogs Dexter and Otis for a photo.
Jerry Riggs of the Bobby Friss Band performs Sunday afternoon at the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay
Jerry Riggs of the Bobby Friss Band performs Sunday afternoon at the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay
Bikes on display showoff the owner's personality.
Bikes on display showoff the owner's personality.
Crowds packed Main Street for the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
Crowds packed Main Street for the 18th annual Thunder By The Bay.
The rearview mirror on Steve Whitmer's 2002 Indian Chief motorcycle entry for the bike show.
The rearview mirror on Steve Whitmer's 2002 Indian Chief motorcycle entry for the bike show.

 

Latest News

Suncoast Waterkeepers regularly tests water quality at 12 sites in Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters, including the Linley Street boat ramp on Longboat Key.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee bayside beaches graded for water safety
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
The house at 3638 San Remo Terrace overlooks the north Siesta Key bridge.
  • February 5, 2026
Rock star sells Sarasota estate for $7.5 million

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now