By Lulu

For 26 years Suncoast Charities for Children has thrown a great motorcycle & music festival in Sarasota. In the history of the festival, Lucy says they never have had to cancel two headliners! This year ironically the rain gods shut the concert down early, and it happened during Stormbringer’s performance on stage. The skies opened and safety concerns forced the cancellation of Grand Funk Railroad with Sunday being a total washout. BUT that didn’t stop the charity fundraising from being a success, thanks to those who braved the weather, a $25,000 donation match from the James M. Doss Charitable Foundation, and other festival events, still managed to raise $150,000. In 2023 they raised $350,000 so it was a disappointment for the charity staff and volunteers who put their hearts and souls into this event. Total net revenue raised over the past 26 years, under the leadership of Lucy Nicandri, has been a whopping $27.5 Million. One project from the funds raised this year will be a brand-new playground for at risk children with special needs at Children First in Venice, FL. The festival features 3 days of live music at the fairgrounds, vendors, bike shows, a sound off, VIP tent and charity auction, wrestling and much more. We did get a great night of Molly Hatchet on Friday with the largest crowd I have seen on a Friday. Let’s make Thunder by the Bay in 2025 their biggest event ever!!! The dates are February 14-16th! Their website is suncoastcharitiesforchildren.org

by Jeani G.

Shifting this annual event by a week due to rainstorms was a great call – as the weather couldn’t have been more glorious! Midwest Motorcycle’s 30th Anniversary Antique & Custom Bike Show on February 25th started out a little chilly for riders, but quickly turned into a beautiful warm, sunny day. Once again, Heavy and Christine threw an amazing bike show and anniversary party, filling the Beaver Bar to capacity!

Leslye, owner of the Beaver Bar, served up the usual delicious Sunday breakfast buffet. The lot filled up pretty quickly with a myriad of antique and custom bikes to make the judging difficult, with over twenty-five different classes. The amazing trophies were handcrafted by Jared – each one as unique as the bikes in the show … and each winner was able to pick the trophy of their choice! The servers kept the drinks flowing, vendors were busy selling their wares, while Judi Behave entertained the crowd all day long with their intense classic rock music and powerhouse vocals.

If you’ve never been to Midwest Motorcycle shop, you really need to pay them a visit. Located on Beach Street in Daytona, they are a full service shop whose friendly staff does it all – sales, service, rentals, parts, custom builds, welding, full machine shop, powder coating, painting … even 24-hour towing. They are located at 444 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach. Phone is 386-257-6265 and check out their website MidwestMotorcycleDaytona.com.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to help Midwest Motorcycle celebrate their milestone 30th anniversary. To quote Heavy, this year’s event was “epic.” Midwest’s bike show takes place every February – be sure to come join the fun next year … and tell them Thunder Roads Florida sent ya!

Find the winner’s photos and all the photos of the day on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page!

By Lulu

Andy Thompson opened Hemingway’s Wine & Cigar Bar a few years back and has turned it into a great spot in Tavares. Hemingway’s has a nice walk-in humidor and serves a wide selection of beer and wine. Outside seating on W. Ruby St. is an enjoyable perch to watch the flow of peeps coming and going. Since TJ enjoys a good cigar and I enjoy a glass of wine with friends that has always been a stop when we are in the Tavares/Leesburg area. They have been supporting Thunder Roads Magazine ever since Andy opened his doors. Now Andy has added a new endeavor to keep him busy. Legacy Cigar opened in July and is right smack in the cool part of Mt. Dora at 525 N. Donnelly St. This spot also has a walk-in humidor for your cigar shopping! I love the gated porch for outside chatting with old and new friends. The new cigar shop is closed Monday, open 10a-6p Tuesday through Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10a-8p and Sunday 10a-6p. So, while in town for Leesburg Bike Fest or anytime you are in the area check out Andy’s enterprises. He loves to hear bikes pull up!