Category: Thunder Beach

Karen and the Oktoberfest

By David Angier

It appears that beer, not rain, will be flowing at Panama City’s 29th Annual Oktoberfest this weekend.

As of 6 a.m. Friday, Tropical Storm Karen, which was approaching the Panhandle with winds around 60 mph, was being shredded by upper-level wind shear and not expected to strengthen. The Weather Channel predicted that Karen would weaken before making landfall somewhere near Mobile, Ala.

The worst weather in Bay County was expected Sunday.

That’s good news for Oktoberfest, which starts today at 4 p.m. on Harrison Avenue downtown Panama City with more than 40 retail booths, 20 unique beers to sample, real Bavarian food, live music and entertainment. The festival runs from 4-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

For complete information, go to http://www.pcdib.com/#!vstc1=page-2/vstc0=oktoberfest.

 

Thunder Beach 2012 Full Event Schedule and Rally Information

If the continuous rolling thunder didn’t clue you in, then all the motorcycles everywhere surely will.  And if you’re not down here, then you’re missing one heck of a party this week.  But it’s not the kind of party we had a few weeks ago with the Spring Breakers, it’s a group, that while very loud and sometimes rough looking, they’re overall much better patrons to our beach.  Love them or hate them, they bring in good money, treat our vacation rentals well and they give our economy a much needed injection of activity before our busy summer season.

The bikers have been here all week, but the majority are coming in today and tomorrow and staying through Sunday and Monday.

Here is a full schedule of events for this year’s Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally.  As always, more information can be found on their website, even though it used to be much better. 😉

Note: I copied all of the schedule info from their pdf download – please excuse typos or formatting errors.  

Wednesday May 2 Schedule

9:00AM- 9:00 PM — — Thunder BeachWelcome Center (Information&Media)  — — Shoppes at Edgewater

2:00 PM- 5:00 PM — —  Live Music with Michael Compton — —  WickedWheel

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM  — — Live Music with Big Engine  — — Sandpiper Beacon

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM  — — Live Music with Clay Musgrave – — —  At the Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

6:00 PM-10:00 PM  — — Official Thunder Beach Kick-Start Party  — — Shores of Panama

featuring National Recording Artist Jasmine Cain Top of the Garage-12th Floor

7:00PM — —   Official Miss Thunder Beach Pageant – 1st Preliminary  — — Shores of Panama

Emcee: Daric “The Hitman”Daniels Top of the Garage-12th Floor

8:00PM-11:00PM — —  Live Music with Mustang Sally  — — Sandpiper Beacon

8:00PM-12:00AM — — Live Music with Horizon  — — Ms. Newby’s

8:30 PM  — — Live Music with ZZ TopTribute Band-Velcro Fly — —  WickedWheel

10:00PM-12:30AM  — — Official Thunder Beach Kick-Start “After Party” — — PineappleWilly’s

with Kevin Jacobs & Terry Brock

11:00 PM  — — Live Music with Big Engine — —  Sandpiper Beacon

Thursday May 3 Schedule

9:00AM- 9:00  — — PM Thunder BeachWelcome Center (Information&Media) Shoppes at Edgewater

9:00 AM- 9:00   — — PM Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H Tent Boar’s Head

9:00AM-7:00PM+   — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H Tents Club LaVela

9:00AM-7:00PM+   — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H Tents Frank Brown Park

9:00AM-6:00PM   — — Demo Rides ~ Yamaha, Can-Am, Boss Hoss Pier Park

9:00AM-9:00PM+   — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H Tent PineappleWilly’s

9:00AM-9:00PM+   — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H Tent Sharky’s Beach Club

9:00AM-9:00PM+  — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H Tents Shoppes at Edgewater

9:00AM-9:00PM+  — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H Tent WickedWheel

9:00AM-6:00PM — — DJ Daric “The Hitman”Daniels Frank Brown Park

9:00AM-9:00PM — — Old Skool Road Show- Traveling AntiqueMotorcycle Experience WickedWheel

11:00 AM — — Ives Bros.Wall of Death Show WickedWheel

12:00PM-5:00PM — — Poker Run Sponsored by the Shriners

Registration: Reggae J’s

  • 1st Card Stop: Sharky’s
  • 2nd Card Stop: Barefoot Beach Club
  • 3rd Card Stop: Red Door Saloon
  • 4th Card Stop: Sugar Sands Inn & Suites
  • 5th Card Stop: Hammerhead Fred’s
  • 12:00 pm: Registration
  • 12:30 pm: First Bike Out
  • 1:00 pm: Last Bike Out
  • 4:30 pm: Last Bike In @final stop
  • 5:00 pm: Prizes @ final stop

12:00 PM — — Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — — Frank Brown Park

12:00 PM- — — 4:00 PM Live Music with 345 Express — — Sandpiper Beacon

12:00 PM- — — 4:00 PM Live Music with Sticky Tea — — Shoppes at Edgewater

12:30 PM — — Ives Bros. Wall of Death Show — — WickedWheel

2:00 PM — — Ives Bros.Wall of Death Show — — WickedWheel

2:00 PM – — — 5:00 PM Live Music with Michael Compton — — WickedWheel

3:00 PM — — Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — — Frank Brown Park

3:30 PM — — Ives Bros.Wall of Death Show — — WickedWheel

4:00PM–8:00PM — — LiveMusicwithBigEngine — — SandpiperBeacon

4:00PM-8:00PM — — LiveMusicwithClayMusgrave – — — At the Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM — — Live Music with The Dan Lawson Band — — Shoppes at Edgewater

5:00 PM — — IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — — WickedWheel

6:00 PM — — Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — — Frank Brown Park

6:30 PM — — IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — — WickedWheel

7:00PM — — OfficialMiss Thunder Beach Pageant – 2nd Preliminary — — Hammerhead Fred’s

Emcee: Daric “The Hitman” Daniels

8:00PM-11:00PM — — LiveMusicwithMustang Sally — — Sandpiper Beacon

8:00PM-10:00PM — — LiveMusicwithWall of Echoes – The Ultimate Tribute to Pink Floyd — — Shoppes at Edgewater

8:30 PM- 2:00 AM — — LiveMusicwith KevinJacobs&TerryBrock — — WickedWheel

8:30 PM- 12:30AM — — LiveMusicwith ZZ Top Tribute band Velcro Fly — — PineappleWilly’s

9:00 PM- 11:00 PM — — LiveMusicwithBuckcherry – James Durbin – Redlight King — — Club LaVela

8:00PM-12:00AM — — LiveMusicwithHorizon — — Ms. Newby’s

10:00 PM- 2:00 AM — — LiveMusicwith Geneva – Live at the Tiki Bar — — Sharky’s Beach Club

11:00 PM — — Live Music with Big Engine — — Sandpiper Beacon

Friday May 4 Schedule

9:00 AM– 9:00 — — PM Thunder BeachWelcome Center (Information&Media) — — Shoppes at Edgewater

9:00AM-9:00PM — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — — Tent Boar’s Head

9:00AM-7:00PM+ — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — — Tents Club LaVela

9:00AM-7:00PM+ — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — — Tents Frank Brown Park

9:00AM-6:00PM — — Demo Rides ~ Yamaha, Can-Am, Boss Hoss — — Pier Park

9:00AM-9:00PM+ — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — — Tent PineappleWilly’s

9:00AM-9:00PM+ — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — — Tent Sharky’s Beach Club

9:00AM-9:00PM+ — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — — Tents Shoppes at Edgewater

9:00AM-9:00PM+ — — Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — — Tent WickedWheel

9:00AM-6:00PM — — DJDaric “TheHitman”Daniels — — Frank Brown Park

9:00AM-9:00PM — — Old Skool Road Show-a Traveling AntiqueMotorcycle Experience — — WickedWheel

11:00 AM — — IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — — WickedWheel

12:00 PM — — Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — — Frank Brown Park

12:00 PM- 4:00 PM — — LiveMusicwith 345 Express — — Sandpiper Beacon

12:00 PM- 4:00 PM — — LiveMusicwith Sammy&The Slammerz — — Shoppes at Edgewater

12:30 PM- 5:00 PM — — Poker Run Sponsored by the Defenders LE

Registration: PineappleWilly’s

  • 1st Card Stop: Boar’s Head
  • 2nd Card Stop: Hooters on Thomas Dr.
  • 3rd Card Stop: PlazaMotel/Banana Peel
  • 4th Card Stop: Coyote Ugly
  • 5th Card Stop:WickedWheel
  • 12:00 pm: Registration
  • 12:30 pm: First Bike Out
  • 1:00 pm: Last Bike Out
  • 4:30 pm: Last Bike In@final stop
  • 5:00 pm: Prizes @final stop

12:30 PM — — IvesBros.Wall of Death Show — — WickedWheel

2:00 PM — — LaVelaBikini Contest — — Club LaVela

2:00 PM — — IvesBros.Wall of Death Show — — WickedWheel

2:00 PM – 5:00 — — PM Live Music with Michael Compton — — WickedWheel

3:00 PM — — Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — — Frank Brown Park

3:30 PM — — IvesBros.Wall of Death Show — — WickedWheel

3:00PM — — OldSchoolBikeShow — — Ms. Newby’s

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM — — Live Music with Big Engine — — Sandpiper Beacon

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM — — Live Music with Clay Musgrave – At the — — Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM — — Live Music with King Cotton — — Shoppes at Edgewater

5:00 PM — — Ives Bros.Wall of Death Show — — WickedWheel

5:00 PM- 8:00 PM — — Live Music with Sin Seven — — PineappleWilly’s

5:00 PM- 8:00 PM — — Live Music with ZZ TopTributebandVelcro Fly — — WickedWheel

6:00 PM — — Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — — Frank Brown Park

6:30 PM — — IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — — WickedWheel

7:00PM — — OfficialMiss Thunder Beach Pageant – 3rd Preliminary — — WickedWheel

Emcee: Daric “The Hitman” Daniels

8:00 PM- 11:00 PM — — Live Music with Eli — — Sandpiper Beacon

8:00PM-10:00PM — — Live Music with Highway to Hell – Tribute to AC/DC — — Shoppes at Edgewater

8:30 PM- 12:30AM — — Live Music with TheDanLawsonBand — — WickedWheel

9:00 PM- 2:00 AM — — Live Music with Kevin Jacobs&Terry Brock — — PineappleWilly’s

9:00 PM — — Live Music with Jackylwith special guest – Nigel Dupree Band — — Club LaVela

8:00 PM- 12:00AM — — Live Music withTodd Simpson&Mojo Child — — Ms. Newby’s

10:00 PM- 2:00 AM — — Live Music with Geneva – — — At the Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

11:00 PM — — Live Music with Big Engine — — Sandpiper Beacon

9:00AM- 9:00 PM — –Thunder BeachWelcome Center (Information&Media) — –Shoppes at Edgewater

2:00 PM- 5:00 — –PM Live Music with Michael Compton — –WickedWheel

4:00 PM- 8:00 — –PM Live Music with Big Engine — –Sandpiper Beacon

4:00 PM- 8:00 — –PM Live Music with ClayMusgrave – — –At the Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

6:00 PM-10:00 PM — —Official Thunder Beach Kick-Start Party — —Shores of Panama

featuring National Recording Artist Jasmine Cain Top of the Garage-12th Floor

7:00PM — —OfficialMiss Thunder Beach Pageant – 1st Preliminary — —Shores of Panama

Emcee: Daric “TheHitman”Daniels Top of the Garage-12th Floor

8:00PM-11:00PM — –Live Music withMustang Sally — –Sandpiper Beacon

8:00PM-12:00AM — –Live Music with Horizon — –Ms. Newby’s

8:30 PM — –Live Music with ZZ TopTribute Band-Velcro Fly — –WickedWheel

10:00PM-12:30AM — —Official Thunder Beach Kick-Start “After Party” — —PineappleWilly’s

with Kevin Jacobs & Terry Brock

11:00 PM — –Live Music with Big Engine — — Sandpiper Beacon

Saturday May 5 Schedule

9:00AM- 10:00 PM — –Thunder BeachWelcome Center (Information&Media) — –Shoppes at Edgewater

9:00 AM- 9:00 PM — –Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — —Tent Boar’s Head

9:00 AM- 7:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — —Tents Club LaVela

9:00 AM- 7:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — —Tents Frank Brown Park

9:00 AM- 6:00 PM — –Demo Rides ~ Yamaha, Can-Am, Boss Hoss — –Pier Park

9:00 AM- 9:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — —Tent PineappleWilly’s

9:00 AM- 9:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — —Tent Sharky’s Beach Club

9:00 AM- 9:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — —Tents Shoppes at Edgewater

9:00 AM- 9:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village ~Look for the Thunder Beach CRUZ4CA$H — —Tent WickedWheel

9:00AM- 6:00 PM — –DJDaric “TheHitman”Daniels — –Frank Brown Park

9:00 AM- 9:00 PM — –Old Skool Road Show- Traveling AntiqueMotorcycle Experience — –WickedWheel

9:30 AM- 4:00 PM — —Official Thunder Beach “Best

of the Beach” Custom Bike Show — —Pier Park

Sponsored by Steel Horse Law/ Presented by USRiderNews 16 Classes; IMBBA Sanctioned

Benefits Local Shriner Charities $10,000 in cash & prizes

10:00 AM Sgt. Kevin KightMemorial Bike Parade Sponsored by the SWcorner of R Jackson Blvd

Panama City Beach Police andWhite Sands Riders. Benefits Cops for &Middle Beach Rd.

Kids. • Line Up at 10am• KickStandsUp@11amSHARP! (across from old Publix parking lot)

11:00 AM IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — –WickedWheel

12:00 PM- 5:00 PM Poker Run Sponsored by Red KnightsMC & Fire and IronMC

Registration & 1st Card Stop: Rock’it Lanes 12:00 pm: Registration

2nd Card Stop: Newby’s Too 12:30 pm: First Bike Out

3rd Card Stop: Ritz Store (@corner of Front Beach Rd 1:00 pm: Last Bike Out

&RJacksonBlvd) 4:30 pm: Last Bike In@final stop

4th Card Stop: Dirty Dick’s 5:00 pm: Prizes @final stop

5th Card Stop: Whiskey’s Saloon

12:00 PM — –Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — –Frank Brown Park

12:00 PM- 4:00 PM — –LiveMusicwith 345 Express — –Sandpiper Beacon

12:00 PM- 4:00 PM — –LiveMusicwith The Ayers — –Shoppes at Edgewater

2:00 PM — –LaVelaBikini Contest — –Club LaVela

2:00PM OfficialMs. Thunder Beach Contest For lovely ladies 35+ — –Shoppes at Edgewater

Emcee: Daric “The Hitman” Daniels

2:00 PM — –IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — — WickedWheel

3:00 PM — –Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — –Frank Brown Park

3:30 PM — –IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — –WickedWheel

4:00 PM — —Awards for Steelhorse Law”Best of Beach” Bike Show — —Pier Park

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM — –LiveMusic with Joe Santana’s Kingfish — –Sandpiper Beacon

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM — –LiveMusicwith ClayMusgrave – — –At the Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

4:00 PM- 8:00 PM — –LiveMusicwith Kelly&TheHealers — –Shoppes at Edgewater

5:00 PM — –IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — –WickedWheel

5:00 PM — –LiveMusicwith Sin Seven — –PineappleWilly’s

6:00 PM — –Ives Bros. “Ramp to Ramp” Stunt/Jump Show — –Frank Brown Park

6:30 PM — –IvesBros.WallofDeath Show — –WickedWheel

7:00PM — —OfficialMiss Thunder Beach Pageant Finale — —Hooters on the Beach

Emcee: Daric “The Hitman” Daniels

7:00 PM — –LiveMusicwith TombstoneBeltBuckle — –WickedWheel

8:00 PM- 11:00 PM — –LiveMusicwith Eli — –Sandpiper Beacon

8:00PM-10:00PM — –LiveMusicwithHighway to Hell – Tribute to AC/DC — –Shoppes at Edgewater

8:30 PM — –LiveMusicwith KevinJacobs&TerryBrock — –WickedWheel

8:30 PM- 12:30AM — –LiveMusicwithTheDanLawsonBand — –PineappleWilly’s

8:00 PM- 12:00AM — –LiveMusicwithTodd Simpson&Mojo Child — –Ms. Newby’s

10:00 PM- 2:00 AM — –LiveMusic with Geneva – — –At the Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

11:00 PM — –LiveMusic with Joe Santana’s Kingfish — — Sandpiper Beacon

Sunday May 6 Schedule

7:00 AM- 3:00 PM — — Thunder BeachWelcome Center (Information&Media) — –Shoppes at Edgewater

9:00AM-12:00PM — –Old Skool Road Show- Traveling AntiqueMotorcycle Experience — –WickedWheel

9:00AM-12:00PM — –Vendor Village open ~ some vendorsmay choose to stay open later — –Boar’s Head

9:00AM- 12:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village open ~ some vendorsmay choose to stay open later — –Club LaVela

9:00AM- 12:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village open ~ some vendorsmay choose to stay open later — –Frank Brown Park

9:00AM- 12:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village open ~ some vendorsmay choose to stay open later — –PineappleWilly’s

9:00AM- 12:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village open ~ some vendorsmay choose to stay open later — –Sharky’s Beach Club

9:00AM- 12:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village open ~ some vendorsmay choose to stay open later — –Shoppes at Edgewater

9:00AM- 12:00 PM+ — –Vendor Village open ~ some vendorsmay choose to stay open later — –WickedWheel

10:00AM — –Blessing of the Bikes by CMA — –Edgewater

10:30 AM — –Scenic Ride – depart from– –Edgewater

8:00AM- 11:00AM — –Last chance to redeemCRUZ4CA$H cards@Welcome Center — –Shoppes at Edgewater

1:00 PM — –CRUZ4CA$H Drawing–Main Stage Shoppes at — –Edgewater

3:00 PM- 7:00 PM — –LiveMusic with Sterling Silver — –Sandpiper Beacon

4:00 PM- 8:00 — –PM LiveMusicwith ClayMusgrave — — At the Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

8:00 PM- 12:00 — –PM LiveMusicwith345Express — –Ms. Newby’s

10:00 PM- 2:00 — –AM LiveMusicwith Geneva – — –Live at the Tiki Bar Sharky’s Beach Club

Thunder Beach Custom Bike Show and A Guide to Motorcycle Types

On October 1st, the Best of Thunder Beach Custom Bike Show will be held at Pier Park.  Registration will begin at 10:00am, judging is scheduled for 12:00pm, and the awards presentation will be at 5:00pm.  There is $15,000 in prize money and gift certificates available to winners.

Classes for judging are American Mild, American Wild, Metric Wild, Sportbike Mild, Sportbike Wild, Manufactured Custom, Radical, Bobber, Bagger Mild, Bagger Wild, Trike Mild, Trike Wild, Vintage Stock, Vintage Modified, and Rat.

Description of the different judging classes
  • American: a cruiser using imperial sizes for nuts and bolts
  • Metric: a cruiser using metric nuts and bolts rather than imperial sizes
  • Sportbike: a motorcycle designed for optimal speed and handling characteristics, often with expensive bodywork
  • Manufactured Custom: a motorcycle ordered straight from the manufacturer customized to wants and needs of the owners
  • Radical: a motorcycle typically classified as a chopper, with high handlebars
  • Bobber: a motorcycle with cut down fenders to appear shorter
  • Bagger: a motorcycle equipped with saddlebags and other touring amenities
  • Trike: a three-wheeled motorcycle that has not be dramatically customized
  • Vintage: a motorcycle at least 20 years old
  • Rat: a bike made from several machines and kept on the road using as cheap as possible and painted matt black

Motorcyclists and non-enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the bike show at Pier Park, looking at customization and fine engineering!  Drive safe!

 

Action Packed Biker-Friendly Week [Schedule]

The most biker-friendly free rally in the USA is coming to the beaches of Panama City this week: September 28th – October 2nd.  Complete with parties, beauty pageant’s, live music, entertainment, a memorial parade, and thousands of gorgeous motorcycles, this is sure to be a weekend to remember.  Here is a look at some of the events scheduled for this fall’s Thunder Beach!

Kick-Start Party at the Shores of Panama

Starting with the Kick-start Party at the Shores of Panama at 6pm on the 28th, Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally will be in PCB.  The Kick-start party will feature live music from Geneva, and at 7pm the preliminary round of the Miss Thunderbeach 2011 Autumn Rally beauty contest will begin.  There will be a Kick-start After Party at 9pm at Pineapple Willy’s, including free snacks – while they last.  There will be live music from Jacobs, Brock and Brews.

Miss Thunder Beach 2011 Autumn Rally

Throughout the week, ladies 18 and up, will have the opportunity to compete for a $5,000 prize and the title of Miss Thunder Beach 2011 Autumn Rally.  The first preliminary will be held at the Kick-Start Part at 7:00pm on September 28th at Shores of Panama.  The Second round will be held Thursday, September 29th, at 7:00pm at HammerHead Fred’s.  The winner and runner’s-up will be announced at the end of the final round, Friday the 30th at Hooters at 7:00pm.  There will also be a Ms. Thunder Beach competition, Saturday October 1st at the Shoppes at Edgewater.

Poker Runs and The SGT Kevin Kight Memorial Bike Parade

There will be three poker runs: Thursday at Pineapple Willy’s, Friday at Rock’it Lanes, and Saturday at Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar.  Registration for each poker run will be at 12 pm on its respective day.  On Saturday October 1st at 10:00am, the SGT Kevin Kight Memorial Bike Parade will begin at the Southwest corner of R. Jackson Blvd and Middle Beach Road.  The parade will benefit Cops for Kids, and any canned food donations will be given to local food banks.

The Best of Thunder Beach Custom Bike Show

Also on October 1st, will be the Best of Thunder Beach Custom Bike Show held in Pier Park.  Registration will begin at 10:00am, judging is scheduled for 12:00pm, and the aware presentation will be at 5:00pm.  Classes for judging are American Mild, American Wild, Metric Wild, Sportbike Mild, Sportbike Wild, Manufactured Custom, Radical, Bobber, Bagger Mild, Bagger Wild, Trike Mild, Trike Wild, Vintage Stock, Vintage Modified, and Rat. There is $15,000 in prize money and gift certificates available to winners.

The Nick Lee World Burnout Tour and The Ives Brothers Stunt Show

The Nick Lee World Burnout Tour will be making a few appearances to the rally also; with appearances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 12:30pm and 3:30pm at Frank Brown Park.  The Ives Brothers Stunt Show will be at Frank Brown Park those three days at 12:00pm, 3:00pm, and 6:00pm to entertain the crowds as well.

 

Thunder Beach Asks TDC for $100k, Walk out with $40k

Amongst other things, this morning’s TDC meeting included some spirited discussion on the viability of a Fall Motorcycle Rally.  The spring rally, according to organizers, gets better every year.  But the growth of the Fall rally has been stunted because of the date of the event.

Last year, Thunder Beach organizers were vying for the Columbus Day weekend to hold their fall event.  This is a weekend, that historically, included family-related events such as the Panama City Beach Seafood Wine and Music Festival.  The TDC did not support the date change, thus it didn’t happen.

This is the argument for Columbus Day Weekend

Here are the dates of the large Fall motorcycle rallys:

Joe Biggs, the Thunder Beach organizer argues that currently, where Thunder Beach falls in the schedule, it heavily competes with other events for vendors.  This is, in my opinion a very valid point as there is a clear gap, that if the Panama City Beach event could be moved back just one week, vendors could travel from Reno, to Las Vegas, to Panama City Beach, to Daytona.  They are coming down here anyway.

Biggs said that if the fall event can’t be moved, it’s still not going away, but if it could be moved to Columbus Day weekend, it could be as big, if not larger, than the spring rally.

The argument against Columbus Day weekend

“Columbus Day weekend has always been that last shot for families to come down to the beach, and we all know that families and bikers don’t mix,” said board member Gary Walsingham.

“We’ve all tried to get families down here in the fall and we’ve never been able to get it to work,” retorted past board chair Marty McDaniel and owner of Oaseas Resorts, “but we have an obligation to grow business in the fall and this is the best way to do it.”

Oaseas Resorts is the onsite property management company for Shores of Panama, a large venue sponsor for Thunder Beach.

Came for $100k, left with $40k

McDaniel made a motion to grant $100k to Thunder Beach to help promote the fall event, an amount never before given to an event as sponsorship dollars.  The motion was seconded by member Ken Nelson, but was voted no by everyone except McDaniel, Patronis, and Nelson.

Board member Andy Phillips followed that failing vote with a motion to grant Thunder Beach $40,000 to be used towards marketing.  This vote went through with all voting in agreement with the exception of Mayor Oberst.

My opinion, take it for what it’s worth

I have had a rocky history with Thunder Beach.  But, I’ve always recognized it for bringing people to our beach and generating tourist dollars during the shoulder season.  I’ve always recognized it as very successful, while still maintaining a constant level of annoyance with the traffic, noise and sometimes rude behavior.

With that said, I think a move to Columbus Day weekend would be great for the event AND the area.  Even with the Panama City Beach Seafood Wine and Music Festival, I still don’t think that weekend has ever been a large draw for out of town visitors.

I could be wrong.  Please prove me wrong if I am as I’m going off of personal experience and not a stack of reports.

But, if we have a chance to elevate this event to bring in more people, which I strongly feel that we do in this case, I say we do it.  Although Biggs has made no comment to this effect, if he was to move the fall event elsewhere, or the whole event elsewhere, businesses would definitely miss Thunder Beach.  Putting ourselves in a situation where we could lose a fantastic event that draws thousands (even if no one can agree to the real number) of out of towners is a mistake.

What are your thoughts?  I know historically, our readers have had a love/hate relationship with Thunder Beach.  What do you think, should it be moved?

Another Successful Thunder Beach Rally

Thunder Beach Productions, Inc. (TBP) held the 11th annual Spring Thunder Beach Bike Rally. Riders from across the country traveled to Panama City Beach to take part in the most biker-friendly free rally in the U.S. The vendor sponsored event attracted cheerful, playful and bizarre characters from all walks of life.

Local businesses welcomed the high-spirited riders with open arms. Restaurants served the comrades on wheels with concerts, beauty pageants, and karaoke that was wildly entertaining. Frank Brown Park was the main site of the rally, where sponsors of the event catered to the cyclist’s every need. The roaring motorcycles covered local businesses throughout the 27 plus miles of premier beaches.

This was truly a rally to be remembered, and one that has shown consistent growth since its first rally was organized in spring of 2000. For all of us who can’t wait until next spring to participate in the rally again, TBP also holds a yearly autumn bike rally in September right here in Panama City Beach. For more information visit their website at http://thunderbeachproductions.com

Pier Park 2011 Event Schedule

This is an old article, please go here to see new information

The little universe of Pier Park offers everything from larger chain stores, to little Mom-n-Pops quirky shops.

If we factor in the  live music, diverse dining opportunities, optional drinks and some mighty fine people-watching spots, we’ve got ourselves a  bona fide, must-see destination situation.

Now that we’ve officially launched ourselves in to 2011, it’s time  to update our social calendars with Pier Parks upcoming events scheduled through out the year.

Quick Reference Of Events

Continue reading “Pier Park 2011 Event Schedule” →

Thunder Beach Autumn Rally vs Seafood Festival [REPORT]

At Tuesday’s TDC meeting, the big guns of Thunder Beach approached the board asking to move their Autumn Rally to Columbus Day Weekend.

Currently, the rally is held on the first weekend in October. Reason for wanting to change the date were stated as follows:

  1. Ability to confirm more Vendors presence
  2. More Vendors = more attendants
  3. More Attendants = boost in Panama City Beach’s economy

Continue reading “Thunder Beach Autumn Rally vs Seafood Festival [REPORT]” →

Thunder Beach Weekend Schedule

Photo of Pat Travers by Jeannie Cooper.

The Thunder Beach Autumn Motorcycle Rally is here, this weekend is the weekend to enjoy the weather, ride your bike, be safe and enjoy some awesome entertainment.

We’ve taken the time to get the entire weekend’s schedule published right here on PCBdaily.com.  There’s tons going on this weekend all up and down Panama City Beach.  Check after the break for the full breakdown.

Continue reading “Thunder Beach Weekend Schedule” →

Bay Point Marriott to Once Again be Venue for Thunder Beach 2010 Rally

This fall’s Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally takes place in just a couple more weeks – starting Thursday, September 30th and wrapping up on Sunday, October 2nd. As was the case with this year’s spring rally, the Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa will once again play host to this autumn’s rally, a move that will undoubtedly continue to surprise some. However, if you are a concerned Bay Point resident or local and you didn’t get a chance to see the layout for yourself back in May, here’s a couple of things to bear in mind. Continue reading “Bay Point Marriott to Once Again be Venue for Thunder Beach 2010 Rally” →