Sarasota music and motorcycle festival announces 2023 dates, two national headliners

Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read

A Sarasota music and motorcycle festival that's been around for a quarter-century has announced details about next year's event, including two national musical headliners.

The 25th annual Thunder by the Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival will return Feb. 17-19 to Sarasota Fairgrounds. The festival is organized by and benefits Sarasota-based nonprofit Suncoast Charities for Children, which financially supports local agencies with programs and services for children, teens and adults with special needs.

Southern rockers 38 Special will top the bill Feb. 18. Formed in Jacksonville and still featuring founding member Don Barnes, the group's best-known songs include the '80s Top 10 hits "Caught Up in You" and "Second Chance," as well as 1981's "Hold On Loosely."

Thunder by the Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival, pictured here in 2022, is set to return Feb. 17-19 to Sarasota Fairgrounds.
Thunder by the Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival, pictured here in 2022, is set to return Feb. 17-19 to Sarasota Fairgrounds.

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Country-rap artist Colt Ford will headline Feb. 19. Known for songs such as his 2014 platinum single "Workin' On," the musician has also earned No. 1 albums on both Billboard's country and rap charts.

Jacksonville-formed Southern rockers 38 Special, known for songs such as "Caught Up in You" and "Hold On Loosely," will headline Feb. 18 at Thunder at the Bay.
Jacksonville-formed Southern rockers 38 Special, known for songs such as "Caught Up in You" and "Hold On Loosely," will headline Feb. 18 at Thunder at the Bay.

Other musicians include Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute Nuthin' Fancy, AC/DC tribute H2H, Bobby Friss, Maiden Cane, Nobody’s Fool and Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio. The festival also plans to offer more than 100 vendors, a 17-class bike show, motorcycle stereo sound-off competition and freestyle demonstrations, tented full bar area with seating, food court, "little riders" kid zone and “Thunder Alley” inside Robarts Arena.

A "United We Ride – America Strong” charity motorcycle ride will once again take place Feb. 19, honoring veterans, active duty military and first responders. Additional fundraising events in advance of the traditional festival will include a “Taste of Thunder” tequila tasting/food pairing experience, Sporting Clay Tournament, Thunder by the Bay “Rocks The Runway” Fashion Show, and “Born to Be Wild” Festival Kickoff Party.

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Along with live music, Thunder by the Bay will feature a 17-class bike show, motorcycle stereo sound-off competition and freestyle demonstrations, and a "United We Ride – America Strong” charity motorcycle ride.
Along with live music, Thunder by the Bay will feature a 17-class bike show, motorcycle stereo sound-off competition and freestyle demonstrations, and a "United We Ride – America Strong” charity motorcycle ride.

Long held in downtown Sarasota, Thunder by the Bay moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2017, then Sarasota Fairgrounds in 2018, where it's remained since. Musical headliners in recent years have included Blue Oyster Cult, Warrant, Molly Hatchet and Firehouse.

Discounted general admission tickets and limited VIP tickets go on sale Nov. 1. For tickets or more information, visit thunderbythebay.org.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota music motorcycle festival Thunder by the Bay 2023 dates