The annual Sarasota Motorcycle Festival ‒ Thunder by the Bay 2015 ‒ will be taking place from January 8th to 11th. It was just two years ago that this became a four-day festival, but this year will be the 17th year that motorcycle enthusiasts have flocked to this Florida city.
It is estimated that more than 40,000 people come to the festival; however, if you are worried about it being a raucous event then you are worrying unnecessarily – this is much more refined!
The festival kicks off with the Sporting Clays Tournament and you can take part individually or as a team. On Friday evening there is the Kick Start Party, where you join in wine, beer and whiskey tastings, enjoy an open bar, various food stations and, of course, plenty of music. You need to pick up tickets for this party and you should make sure that you get them as soon as possible, as numbers are limited.
On Saturday and Sunday you can look forward to a lot of great live music, street vendors, and plenty of classic and vintage motorcycles for you to take a look at. The end of the festival is a charity ride after the Blessing of the Bikes. You can also take part in the 16 Class Bike Show on the final day and attempt to win a trophy.
During the festival you can also pick up a variety of biking-related gear, and you do not even have to have a motorcycle of your own to go along and join in the fun.
Lance Grooms
