Photo:©Jean-Paul Comparin/Dollar Photo Club
PANAMA CITY BEACH — After a kick-start on Wednesday, the Thunder Beach Autumn Rally is up to full speed this weekend with concerts, vendor villages, poker runs and parades — and loads of parties.
The organizers of this event promise there will be something for everyone at this event.
Official venues and vendor villages are at Boardwalk Beach Resort and Conference Center, 9450 S. Thomas Drive; Club La Vela, 8813 Thomas Drive; Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway (where the Thunder Beach Saloon will be set up); Hammerhead Fred’s, 8752 Thomas Drive; Harley Davidson of Panama City Beach, 14700 Panama City Beach Parkway; Sharky’s Beach Club, 15201 Front Beach Road; the Shoppes at Edgewater, 513 Richard Jackson Blvd.; Pier Park North, 600 Pier Park Drive; and The Wicked Wheel, 10025 Hutchison Blvd.
The public can register to win a new Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide motorcycle to be given away Saturday at the Thunder Beach Saloon. Registration is at Club La Vela 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday; The Shoppes at Edgewater 5-9 p.m. Friday; and Frank Brown Park 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Among the items available in the villages, you will find everything from homemade ice cream to derringers, pin striping, grips and braids, sunglasses, chaps and bags, patches, clothing, photographers and much more.
Information booths at Frank Brown Park will be staffed by Bay County Trauma Center, Christian Motorcycle Association, PCB Cops and Kids, and many others.
POKER RUNS & PARADES
The Friday poker run is noon to 5 p.m., sponsored by The Defenders LEMC, and starts with registration at Sharky’s Beach Club. First bike out is 12:30 p.m., and last bike out is 1 p.m. Stops include Sugar Sands, Barefoot Hideaway Grill, Tidewater Resort, and Coyote Ugly, which is hosting a free bikini bike wash. Prizes will be awarded at 5 p.m.
The Sgt. Kevin Kight Memorial Bike Parade will be Saturday, sponsored by the Panama City Beach Police and White Sands Riders. Bikers will gather at 10 a.m. at the southwest corner of R. Jackson Boulevard and Middle Beach Road, with kickstands up at 11 a.m. sharp. Participants and onlookers are urged to make cash donations as well as canned goods and nonperishables that are given to local food banks.
“One of the most inspirational events of every Thunder Beach rally is the gathering of hundreds of riders — as well as thousands of onlookers — for the Sgt. Kevin Kight Memorial Bike Parade,” rally organizers said in promotional materials. “This event has special significance to the Panama City Beach community, as it serves to memorialize a fallen local hero and provides assistance to children and families in need.”
Source: Panama City News Herald
