For Siesta Key events, Thunder By the Bay Sarasota is the one that makes the top of the list for many people.
Indeed, for things to do in Siesta Key, this event is number one for any true motorcycle fan. It’s the only thing they want to do first when planning their Siesta Key activities. Be sure to experience this awesome event for yourself when you’re staying at a Siesta Key resort!
Thunder By The Bay
Thunder By the Bay is a sort of ‘music and motorcycle festival’ for those who truly wish to rev it up and talk rock n’ roll or the roads. It is for the amateur and seasoned biker alike, whether they are into Harleys, Suzukis, Komoto brand apparel, or anything else at all that is motorcycle related. This event usually happens around February 18 – 20. It happens right at Florida’s Sarasota Fairgrounds. With sponsors like Budweiser and United Rentals already in place this event is sure to be a hot ticket!
Thunder By The Bay Sarasota Location
For 2022, Thunder by the Bay is to take place at 3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237. It books quickly, so be sure to get your tickets early if you’re interested! This year, it is all set to take place on those same dates of February 18 to 20, so a 3-day event is again expected this time around, which is the typical length and time frame. They call this little area where it’s being held the “Sarasota Fairgrounds.” This is a big day for bike lovers. And by “bike,” yes, “motorcycle” is what’s actually intended (but you likely already knew that, did you not?).
The 3-day event occurs from a Friday to a Sunday, so plan a long weekend! It will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, respectively. We suggest arriving at least a half-hour earlier than whenever each day’s start time is, just to make sure that you can still find an open spot for parking your vehicle. Parking does fill up quickly!
Participation and Attendance
There is room for 10 food booths, 25,000 visitors – participants, and 100 exhibitors. That is the stated max capacity for each, respectively, but things can change. That is why it is vital to get your tickets early to make sure you have a spot at the event!
Lucy Nicandri is the overall show director for this next year’s event, in case you ever need a name or contact info for who to get in touch with (if you’d like to market your business there, need networking referrals, or just have any other basic questions about the event).
The main promoter and sponsor of this event will be none other than Suncoast Charities For Children. They are largely a nonprofit agency that is based right out of Sarasota, FL. And they give up to 85% of all their profits to funding greater education, research, and patient care endeavors, helping children for nearly a century.
Plenty of food and music are expected to be provided right at the event, too, so you don’t need to wander off too far if you get hungry or want to be entertained, which brings things to the next main point to talk about: entertainment!
Plan Your Siesta Key Vacation
Finding a Siesta Key resort rental is a breeze when perusing our suite offerings at Tropical Breeze. We pride ourselves on the fact that we really know what a Siesta Key vacation should look like. We are proud to offer some of the most popular Siesta Key rentals, regardless of the size of your group or the length of your stay. Need help narrowing down your choices? Contact Tropical Breeze Resort today to get started!
Entertainment
Things start off with the “Born to Be Wild Kick-Off Party.” It promises to kick itself off on that first day, February 18, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. And it is set to happen right under that main VIP tent, so look for the signs and make sure to be there for the whole start of the event. Things will get really exciting and off to a strong overall start. There will be a host bar, they have announced, in addition to a great array of food that you can get, too. So, if you come hungry and thirsty, they can accommodate you right from the very get-go!
There will also be a silent auction at this kickoff event, so if you like bidding, then this is something you can’t miss. Stick around for a bit and see who wins. It will get your veins pumping with excitement, and you might even find yourself interested in whatever they end up having up there for grabs. Who knows, right? It can’t hurt to stick around for the whole thing and see. There will be a 50 / 50 raffle at the kickoff, too, the event announcers have said.
Besides the kickoff, there are tons of other incredible activities going on throughout the festival. Of course, you’re probably interested in the bike show! Every year, visitors come from all around the country to show off their bikes and see who will be crowned the winner. And, of course, there’s a huge cash prize for those who come out on top! Whether you’re entering your own bike or you simply want to check out all the awesome motorcycles here, there’s no doubt that this is one of the most popular events.
You can also come out on Saturday to experience the Motorcycle Stereo “Sound Off” Competition. We’re still waiting for some more information to be revealed concerning this event, but it promises to be a lively addition to the rest of the lineup! Also, on Saturday will be the burnout content, which is an absolute “must-see” for motorcycle lovers of all ages. You can also come out to the dealer party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to indulge in delicious food and beer and enjoy a discount on Harley-Davidson products!
Finally, on Sunday, come out to experience the “United We Ride – America Strong” charity ride. Again, we’re waiting for more details about this event, so be sure to check out the website as the event approaches so you can learn more and plan accordingly.
