By Deborah Speicher

What a great way to kick off 2013 with the downtown Sarasota party known as Thunder by the Bay. Lots of vendors, entertainment, good food, motorcycles and people, the streets were jam packed!

This event has now been expanded and started on the evening of Thursday January 3, and ended Sunday January 6. Thursday evening’s “Kick Start” party at Michael’s Tasting Room featured fine liquors, wines and cigars. Friday night featured a “Born to be Wild” kickoff party at the Hyatt Regency with live entertainment, silent auctions, casino style gaming, Harley-Davidson fashion show and much more.

By Saturday, they were dancing in the streets (literally!). A Blues Brothers review, along with more great music from the local rock and soul group the Lauren Mitchell Band, had the crowd movin’ and groovin’! While the music played on into the night, there was a “Light Up The Night” LED bike show.

Sunday started with a blessing of the bikes and the “Cruise for Cash” which benefitted Suncoast Charities for Children. There was also nonstop entertainment and a 15 class bike show. The finale for the day was The Marshall Tucker Band.

Mark your calendars for January 2014. Sarasota has a lot to offer in the way of food, lodging and amenities, and when coupled with the streets blocked off for motorcycles only plus a large parking garage with FREE motorcycle parking, it is truly a biker-friendly event!

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