Sarasota News Events:
The 26th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival
returns to the Sarasota Fairgrounds on February 16-18, 2024, and for the first time will feature three headliners:
Molly Hatchet (February 16 at 8 p.m.), Grand Funk Railroad (February 17 at 8 p.m.), and Creed Fisher
(February 18 at 3 p.m.). Discounted tickets will be available beginning November 1 and include free parking.
This iconic festival is organized by, and benefits, Suncoast Charities for Children in support of critical programs
and services for local children, teens, and adults with special needs. In addition to the headliner acts announced,
Foreigner Experience, Stormbringer, One Night Rodeo, The Lost Boys, Nobody’s Fool, and KJB will be
performing the best of classic rock and country music live on stage. The festival will feature over 100 vendors, a
bike show, motocross freestyle demonstrations, Universal Championship Wrestling, activities for the kids, a
food court, and more for the entire family to enjoy. Thunder Alley will make a return inside Robarts Arena,
showcasing plenty of custom bikes on display. Sarasota’s own custom bike builder, Kory Souza of Kory Souza
Originals will be hosting a motorcycle stereo sound-off competition and unveiling a new custom-built
motorcycle.
On Sunday, February 18, a motorcycle charity ride called “Ride So Children Can Thrive” will begin
at Adrenaline Harley-Davidson, with stops at several non-profit agencies that receive funding support from
Suncoast Charities for Children, ending at the festival.
A $25,000.00 matching grant has also been announced for the festival thanks to The James M. Doss Charitable
Foundation. Executive Director of Suncoast Charities for Children, Lucy Nicandri, stated: “We are so
appreciative of the generosity that The James M. Doss Charitable Foundation continues to provide. Their
matching grant during the 2023 Festival helped us raise just over $50,000.00 in support of our mission to serve
individuals of all ages with special needs. It was also a wonderful way for people to contribute and feel a part of
the festival, even if they were unable to attend. Our goal is to raise even more in 2024!”
In 2023 the festival generated a net revenue of $315,000.00 for Suncoast Charities for Children. Some of the
funding allocations from this net revenue included: New classroom furniture and assistance packages for
preschool children attending Children First, new occupational/speech therapy testing materials and sensory tools
for The Florida Center for Early Childhood, seed money to start the first-ever Summer Camp Shriver in Sarasota
for Special Olympics athletes, funding a summer camp for the blind and the purchase of new safety helmets and
uniforms for Venice Challenger Baseball, and the construction of a new outdoor therapeutic area at Loveland
Center. A $50,000 grant was also made to the Suncoast Foundation to assist with maintenance and necessary
capital expenditures needed at these agencies.
Five additional fundraisers scheduled to take place in advance of the three-day festival include the 10th Annual
Sporting Clay Tournament, a Thunder By The Bay “Rocks The Runway” Fashion Show, “Born To Be Wild”
Festival Kickoff Party, a “Whiskey Wind Down” tasting paired with food, and a “Taste of Thunder” craft beer
tasting experience. Presenting Festival sponsors include Adrenaline Harley-Davidson and S&S Motorsports.
Major Sponsors include FCCI Insurance Group, Sarasota Ford, Sonny’s BBQ, United Rentals, USA Fence,
Everglades Equipment, and Budweiser.
For tickets and more information, visit THUNDERBYTHEBAY.ORG | (941) 487-7904.
