THUNDER BY THE BAY ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2022 FESTIVAL
Suncoast Charities for Children, an organizer for the 24th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music &
Motorcycle Festival announced the traditional three day Festival is scheduled for February 18-
20, 2022 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Presenting Festival sponsors include Rossiter’s HarleyDavidson, S&S Motorsports of Sarasota, and FCCI Insurance Group.
Next year’s Festival will once again feature continuous live music being billed as, “Where Rock
Meets Country!” Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for outdoor seating in
front of a large outdoor stage. The featured headliner for the weekend is FireHouse, performing on
Saturday, February 19, at 8 pm. FireHouse has 16 gold & platinum records, multiple billboard
hits, and the winner of the American Music Awards. Popular hits include “Love Of A Lifetime”,
“When I Look Into Your Eyes”, and “Don’t Treat Me Bad.” Other bands performing include
Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi Tribute), Tobacco Rd Band, Free Fallin (Tom Petty Tribute),
Bobby Friss, Diary of an Ozzman (Ozzy Osbourne Tribute), 30ot6, and The Verge.
Something new for those attending the Festival will be “Thunder Alley” located inside Robarts
Arena featuring one of a kind custom motorcycle, car, and truck displays. Outside on the Festival
grounds guests can enjoy over 100 vendors, a 17 class bike show, motorcycle stereo sound-off
competition, freestyle acts, a motorcycle burnout contest, a tented full bar area with seating, food
court, and much more! On Sunday, February 20, a “United We Ride – America Strong” charity
motorcycle ride will once again take place honoring veterans, active-duty military, and first
responders. The ride will begin at Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson and end at the Sarasota
Fairgrounds.
Four additional fundraising events will also take place in advance of the traditional Festival.
They include a Sporting Clay Tournament, “Born To Be Wild” Kickoff Party, “Taste of
Thunder” private whiskey tasting experience at Cask & Ale, and a Thunder By The Bay “Rocks
The Runway” Fashion Show at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
Festival Director, Lucy Nicandri, stated: “Thanks to our generous sponsors, and everyone who
attends, the Festival continues to grow and make a significant charitable impact on individuals
with special needs and their families right here in our local community. Thunder By The Bay
continues to welcome motorcycle enthusiasts, while also offering a very affordable outdoor
event the entire family can enjoy together. As we plan for next year, we will continue to ensure
that all proper health and safety measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of our
performers, vendors, volunteers, attendees, and staff.”
OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE
Release Contact: Lucy Nicandri, Executive Director
(941) 706-3795 / lucy.nicandri@suncoastcc.org
RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2021
In 2021 the Festival raised $225,000.00 which enabled Suncoast Charities for Children to
provide financial support to The Haven, Loveland Center, Children First, The Florida Center for
Early Childhood, Sarasota Special Olympics and the Suncoast Foundation. Board President and
local attorney, Greg Linehan, and the President of Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson, Rick Rossiter,
will continue to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the Festival. Over the past 23 years, Thunder
By The Bay has raised $2.1 Million for charity.
Festival gate admission is $5.00 on Friday and Sunday and $10.00 on Saturday (12 years and
under free). Limited VIP tickets are now available on the Festival’s website. For tickets,
vendor/sponsorship information, and complete listing of all Festival events visit
thunderbythebay.org or call (941) 487-7904.
