25 YEARS OF THUNDER 25 YEARS OF THUNDER

Thunder By The Bay

SARASOTA, FLORIDA

perusal and amazement. On Saturday, Kory will also be hosting a motorcycle stereo sound-off competition that will surely be a crowd favorite!

Bob Poneleit of Hap’s Cycles in Sarasota, will be setting up his display of personal vintage motorcycles. His knowledge of this stable of antique iron is truly awe-inspiring. Another crowd favorite is Born To Ride’s Choppertown Live ride-in bike show. Choppertown Live will be set up during the three-day event and will be organizing a Saturday custom chopper ride-in bike show.

“Speaking of Born To Ride, I want to thank Ron and Debbie Galletti,” Lucy says. “Since day one, twenty-five years ago, they have been integral in the success of TBTB. Ron and Debbie have been on what I refer to as a rollercoaster ride with me since the very beginning. We have been together through cold weather, COVID, relocating out of downtown, tough economic times, and through thick and thin, they have been right by my side, always having the needs of Suncoast Charities for Children in the forefront.”

On Saturday and Sunday during Thunder by the Bay this year, freestyle FMX and BMX stunt riders will offer high-flyin’ entertainment, showing off their superb bike riding skills. Also on Saturday, Hap’s Cycle Sales will be organizing a slow race. Personally speaking, Bob Poneleit is one of the BEST slow rider competitors I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m pretty sure he’s going to show the crowd how it’s done and how to win a slow race. Better yet, there will be cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place competitors!

You’ll also find activities for the kids. Lucy explains, “There will be a bounce house, face painting, and performances by Universal Championship Wrestling.”

Since this is a major fundraiser for Suncoast Charities, there will be a gate fee of $15 per day, per person. Advance tickets are on sale at $10 per day through the 16th of February. These tickets can be purchased on the TBTB website or at Adrenaline Harley-Davidson.

Lucy adds, “With more attractions and two major headliner acts (38 Special - Saturday 8:00 pm and Colt Ford Sunday - 3:00 pm) $15 remains an affordable gate admission. Limited VIP tickets can also be purchased from the website.” Onsite full-service camping is available for $35 per day so bring your RV or tent and make it a great weekend.

So, why are we doing this? Lucy explains, “Over the past 24 years, $2.3 million has been raised for children, teens, and adults with special needs. The funds raised stay in the local community. There are seven different agencies Suncoast Charities supports. Funding is directed towards programs and services, as well as necessary capital expenditures. An excellent example is the Florida Center for Early Childhood. Months before hurricane Ian, they submitted a request for their classrooms to get hurricane windows and doors. Suncoast Charities provided funding to the Suncoast Foundation