Motorcycles, charity roll into town with Thunder By the Bay

Twenty-six years ago, the idea for Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Fest began on a bar napkin of Lucy Nicandri, executive director of Suncoast Charities for Children. But gradually it's grown into the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year. 

Today, she said, the event draws people of many interests, both bikers and non-bikers, which aids the organization’s mission of raising funds for seven local nonprofits that support children.

Held from Feb. 16-19, the event featured motorcycle performances, local vendors offering riding merchandise, bands including this year’s headliners Molly Hatchet, Grand Funk Railroad and Creed Fisher, food and drinks and the chance to camp near the event site.

“I was a motorcyclist for many years, and I would go to rallies and said, Sarasota needs to have an event like this,” Nicandri said. “And it’s always been for charity… I'm passionate, very passionate about the cause behind it.”

The festival offered a chance for local motorcycle performers to impress audiences with acts that involved speeding around the interior of the Globe of Death and defying gravity.

“I’ve been all over the world, but when you’re performing at home, it is second to none,” said Joaquin Torres.

On the other hand, attendee Don Dennis came from Valdosta, Georgia. He said he enjoys traveling to events far away, and not only for the peace and relaxation of riding.

“You meet some really nice people that care,” he said.