Thunder by the Bay Rolls into Sarasota This Weekend

Bikers are preparing to take over downtown Sarasota for the 17th annual Thunder by the Bay Motorcycle Festival. The festivities kick off Thursday and last through Sunday.

In an effort to accommodate the crowds, the Sarasota Police Department has announced a number of road closings.

The following road closures start Friday at 3 p.m. and last Sunday until 8 p.m.:

• Main Street from U.S. 41 to the 1300 block alleyway
• Gulfstream Avenue, west and east side from Main Street to Cocoanut
• Gulfstream Avenue west side, from Main Street to McAnsh Square
• Main Street from U.S. 41 to Gulfstream Avenue

The following streets will close at 6 a.m. Saturday and remain closed until 8 p.m. Sunday:

• Central Avenue from First Street to Main Street
• First Street from Central Avenue to Pineapple
• Gulfstream Avenue, east side, from Main Street to Banana Court
• Gulfstream Avenue, east side, from Main Street to the Parking Garage Entrance
• Main Street from Bayfront Drive to the Roundabout
• Main Street from the Roundabout to Lemon Avenue
• North Palm Avenue from Main Street to the alleyway at Epicure
• South Palm Avenue from Main Street to McAnsh

The following streets will close at 2 p.m. Saturday and remain closed until 8 p.m. Sunday:

• Main Street from Lemon Avenue to Orange Avenue
• Lemon Avenue from First Street to the Gator Club Alley

Any vehicles not removed by the posted times will be towed at owners’ expense, the department reports. To find out about a towed vehicle, call Upman’s Towing at 941-365-7084.

Thunder By the Bay is an annual rally that benefits the Suncoast Charities for Children. This year’s event kicks off with a sporting clays tournament Thursday, following by a food truck roundup Friday. Saturday and Sunday feature a downtown festival, complete with a lineup of live musical performances. Great White is expected to play on Sunday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

For more details and a full lineup, visit Thunder By the Bay online.

Photo Credit: Thunder By the Bay/Facebook