Thunder By The Bay Celebrates Its Best Year Ever
During a pandemic and its 23rd year in Sarasota, Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival has the biggest year yet by raising $224,000.00 for Suncoast Charities for Children! Lucy Nicandri, executive director of Suncoast Charities announced the exciting news on Monday, April 5th. Congratulations to everyone involved for reaching such a great milestone
Thunder By The Bay Event Highlights
This year’s fest held in February at the Sarasota Fairgrounds hosted three days of bikes and live music. It was the first time people had seen live music for many months and it was much appreciated by the audience. The lineup included Tampa Bay favorites Greg Billings Band, the Suncoast’s own Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio, and southern rock giants, Molly Hatchet. There were various motorcycle events for another kind of entertainment. These included Choppertown, a charity ride, 17 class bike show, and the wildly popular “Burnout Contest”.
According to the media release, “Suncoast Charities for Children’s Executive Director, Lucy Nicandri, stated: “The net revenue raised during Thunder By The Bay will enable us to continue supporting over 8,000 children, teens, and adults with special needs. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the request for funding among the six area non-profit agencies we support has significantly increased. We are extremely grateful for the generous support received from Festival sponsors, individual donors, vendors, dedicated volunteers, and everyone who attended the Festival.”
Beneficiaries of the Event
Every year, special event net proceeds raised by Suncoast Charities are granted to the Suncoast Foundation to provide support to six area non-profit agencies. Recent projects completed, or scheduled to occur, include:
- Installation of a new computer lab for Special Olympics Florida/Sarasota County
- Construction of a new sensory room at Loveland Center
- A grant to The Haven in support of their “Growing Healthy Kids” Program to feed at-risk children.
- Multiple capital improvements to several campus locations occupied by The Florida Center for Early Childhood.
- Installation of a new playground at Children First.
- Construction of a new multi-purpose building for Venice Challenger Baseball.
Thunder will be back February 18-20, 2022. Everyone will be looking forward to seeing what will be happening next year! All the information will be on the website. Check out our article about this year’s festival.
Photos by Vicky Sullivan