THUNDER BY THE BAY MUSIC & MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL ON AS SCHEDULED
Organizers for the 23rd Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival announced today that the Festival
will take place as scheduled (February 19-21) at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, however, new safety measures will be in
place. Some of these new safety measures include daily temperature checks for everyone coming onto the property,
multiple hand sanitizing stations throughout the grounds, sanitization of all restroom facilities and port-a-potties
after use, pre-marked seating areas to view the stage, specified restrictions for all vendors, and face masks will be
required when social distancing is not possible with disposable masks available for purchase on site.
The southern rock band Molly Hatchet is scheduled to perform as the Festival’s featured headliner on Saturday,
February 20. Molly Hatchet cemented their place in music history in the late seventies touring with Aerosmith, Bob
Seger, The Rolling Stones, and others. They recently celebrated their 40th anniversary and continue to perform hits
such as Gator Country, Whiskey Man, Flirtin’ With Disaster, Devil’s Canyon, and Dreams I’ll Never See. Other
bands performing during the Festival include Maiden Cane, One Night Rodeo, The Tucci Project, Nobody’s Fool,
Twinkle Rock Star Radio, and The Lost Boys. Additional bands will be announced soon.
New additions and changes to the Festival include a “United We Ride – America Strong” charity motorcycle ride in
honor of our country (Sunday – February 21), a motorcycle stereo “sound off” competition (Saturday – February 20)
and the traditional “Born To Be Wild” Kickoff Party is now scheduled to be held outside under a tent on the opening
night of the Festival at the Sarasota Fairgrounds (Friday – February 19). Plans to continue holding a Sporting Clay
Tournament at Knight’s Trail Park (Friday – February 5) remain on schedule and during the Festival (February 19-
21) vendor displays, a 17 class bike show, craft beer garden, food court and more will continue throughout the
weekend. Gate admission is $5.00 (12 years and under free). Limited VIP tickets will also be available on the
Festival’s website beginning November 1st.
Festival attendees will still be able to bring their lawn chairs to enjoy the live music, however, proper social
distancing guidelines outlined in the Festival’s Covid-19 safety plan must be followed. Festival Director, Lucy
Nicandri, stated: “We are extremely pleased to be able to announce that the Festival will be able to take place in
February. However, new and enhanced health and safety measures must be implemented throughout the event to
ensure the safety of our performers, vendors, volunteers, attendees, and staff. A Covid-19 informational page was
recently added to our Festival website as a resource outlining safety measures that will be in place during the event
and will be updated as necessary.”
Proceeds raised from Thunder By The Bay provide financial support to Suncoast Charities for Children impacting
six area local non-profit agencies serving over 5,000 children, teens, and adults with special needs. These agencies
include: The Haven, Loveland Center, Children First, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Special Olympics
Florida/Sarasota County, and Venice Challenger Baseball. 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. Last year’s Festival raised $150,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children and generated an economic
impact of $7.2 Million. Over the past 22 years, Thunder By The Bay has raised $1.9 Million for charity.
For updates and information visit: thunderbythebay.org
