VIP Kickoff Party starts engines for 26th Thunder by the Bay Festival

Organized by Suncoast Charities for Children, the 26th annual Thunder by the Bay held its kickoff party Feb. 16 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. 

Thousands of people flocked to the event to celebrate music, motorcycles, and of course, children. This fundraiser is a piece of Sarasota's history now with people attending from all over Florida as well as the United States, and boasts many sponsors each year.

More than 300 people attended the VIP party, which included Sonny's BBQ, drinks and gaming tables where guests could test their luck. 

Florida's own KJB warmed up the crowd with their dead ringer covers and abundant energy, and the crowd went wild for the headliner, Jacksonville's own Molly Hatchet.

Suncoast Charities for Children provides direct financial support to six local nonprofit agencies in support of programs and services to children, teens, and adults with special needs throughout the Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte County areas. The agencies include Children First, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, The Haven, Special Olympics of Sarasota, Venice Challenger Baseball, and Loveland Center. Over the past 25 years, Thunder by the Bay has raised over $2.6 million for charity.