Thunder Beach Bikers Rally
Panama City Beach, Fla:
Thunder is rolling into the beach, but it’s not raining. It’s the 9th annual Fall Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally, bringing in thousands from all over the country with live entertainment, food, bike shows, and shopping.
“I’m pretty enthused about motorcycles, always have been,” said Panama City Beach biker Bobby Watson, “I look forward to music and beer.”
“We like the food,” said Alabama resident Austin Ray, who drove 300 miles to the event.
“Everybody has something in common when they come down here,” said another visitor, Clarence Fox, “it’s like a brotherhood, you don’t meet any enemies when you come down here.”
With events going on in more than 15 different locations, Thunder Beach draws visitors from near and far.
“North of Atlanta, Dallas Georgia,” said Tony and Cheri Belaeo. They rode Harleys the whole way.
“It used to be a fairly localized regional event,” said Thunder Beach Productions president Joe Biggs, “which is now becoming more and more a national event.”
The bikers discover the beach and its businesses.
“Thunder Beach brings in a lot of activity, brings in a lot of money, helps boost the economy definitely,” said Rocket Lanes employee Jessica Brown, “People are coming from all over, I had one lady tell me that she drove the whole coastline all the way here.”
“They come back 2 and 3 and 4 times a year not in their leathers but with their kids and their grandkids and that’s really what our goal is,” said Biggs, “Panama City Beach helps put thunder on the map and Thunder Beach puts Panama City beach on the map even more.”
Events continue throughout each day ending Sunday at 10pm.