PANAMA CITY BEACH — The Thunder Beach Fall Rally festivities officially “kicked-started” Wednesday with parties at the Shores of Panama and Pineapple Willy’s, including the first preliminary for the Miss Thunder Beach contest.
Thursday, the vendor villages opened for business at Frank Brown Park, Club La Vela, Shoppes at Edgewater, Pineapple Willy’s, Sharky’s and Wicked Wheel. There was a poker run to benefit the Shriners, as well as the second round of the Miss Thunder Beach contest and a concert by Journey tribute band “Never Stop Believin’.”
But that was just to get you up to speed. There’s plenty more planned for the weekend.
Find detailed event listings at PanamaCity.com's Events Page, and at ThunderBeachProductions.com.
POKER RUNS AND RIDES
A poker run sponsored by the Defenders LEMC will be from noon to 5 p.m. today, with registration at Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach. First bike out is at 12:30 p.m. and last bike in is 4:30 p.m., with prizes at 5 p.m. Card stops are Sharky’s Beach Club, Barefoot Beach Club, Chateau Motel, Sugar Sands Inn & Suites and Hammerhead Fred’s.
The Sgt. Kevin Kight Memorial Bike Ride is at 10 a.m. Saturday, sponsored by the Panama City Beach Police Department and White Sands Riders, and benefitting Cops for Kids. Line up is at 10 a.m. at the southwest corner of Richard Jackson Boulevard and Middle Beach Road (across from the old Publix parking lot). Kick stands up at 11 a.m. sharp.
Also on Saturday, a poker run sponsored by Red Knights MC and Wind and Fire MC will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Register at Pineapple Willy’s with first bike out at 12:30 p.m. Card stops will be Regency Towers, Hooters on Thomas Drive, Plaza Motel/Banana Peel, Coyote Ugly and finish at Wicked Wheel by 4:30 p.m. Prizes awarded at 5 p.m.
A farewell ride will close the weekend on Sunday, immediately following the Blessing of the Bikes at 10 a.m. at the Shoppes at Edgewater, 473 Richard Jackson Blvd. The scenic ride will depart from the shopping center at 10:30 a.m.
STUNT SHOWS
The Ives Brothers 50-foot “Wall of Death” stunt show will crank up at 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday, with additional shows every 90 minutes throughout the day. The event is at the Wicked Wheel, 10025 Hutchison Blvd. in Panama City Beach.
The brothers will also perform death-defying leaps through the air on motorcycles at Frank Brown Park, beginning at noon each day with repeats at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
MUSIC
Music is a huge part of the atmosphere at Thunder Beach events, and bands will be featured at all the venues and official clubs and bars. (See "Bands for Bikers" below for a complete list of the bands, venues and schedules.) Some of the featured talent will include:
- Terry Brock (former vocalist for Kansas) playing with Terry Jacobs at 7 p.m. today and Saturday on the front stage at Wicked Wheel;
- Livin’ on a Prayer (a Bon Jovi tribute band) playing 8-10 p.m. tonight at the Shoppes at Edgewater;
- Never Stop Believin’ has an encore performance at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Shoppes at Edgewater; and,
- Battery (a Metallica tribute band) playing at 8 p.m. Saturday in the outdoor coliseum at Club La Vela.
BIKE SHOWS
The Best of the Beach Custom Bike Show will take place at Pier Park from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, presented by Steelhorse Law and USRiderNews. The show will feature 16 classes of bikes and will benefit local Shriner charities, with entrants eligible to share in $10,000 in cash and prizes.
The Old School Bike Show, with prizes and trophies awarded, will be at 3 p.m. today at Ms. Newby’s.
(You also can enjoy a bike wash accompanied by live music by Marty White from 2-6 p.m. today and Saturday at Whiskeys Saloon.)
PAGEANTRY
The third round of the Miss Thunder Beach contest will be at 7 p.m. today on the rear stage of the Wicked Wheel, and the grand finale will be 7 p.m. Saturday at Hooters on the Beach, 12709 Front Beach Road. Daric “The Hitman” Daniels will serve as master of ceremonies.
At 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Club La Vela will host a Miss LaVela Bikini Contest poolside.
In addition, there will be a Ms. Thunder Beach contest for women ages 35 and up. The pageantry begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Shoppes at Edgewater.
BANDS FOR BIKERS
Friday:
11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Sticky Tea at the Shoppes at Edgewater
Noon to 6 p.m.: Bike Wash with live music by Marty White at Whiskeys Saloon
3:30-7:30 p.m.: King Cotton at Shoppes at Edgewater
4-8 p.m.: Santana’s Kingfish at Sandpiper Beacon
5-9 p.m.: Clay Musgrave at Sharky’s Beach Club
7-8 p.m.: Against the Current at Pineapple Willy’s
7-11 p.m.: Terry Brock/Kevin Jacobs at Wicked Wheel
8-11 p.m.: Big Engine at Sandpiper Beacon
8-10 p.m.: Livin’ on a Prayer at Shoppes at Edgewater
8 p.m.: Southern Rock Allstars at Club La Vela
8 p.m. to Close: The Dan Lawson Band at Pineapple Willy’s
8:30 p.m. to Close: Skinny Velvet at Wicked Wheel
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Crosstie at Ms. Newby’s; Geneva at Sharky’s
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Mr Mayhem at Club La Vela; Nashville Mafia at Whiskeys Saloon
11 p.m.: Eli at Sandpiper Beacon
Saturday:
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: The Dan Lawson Band at Shoppes at Edgewater
Noon to 6 p.m.: Bike Wash with live music by Marty White at Whiskeys Saloon
3:30-7:30 p.m.: Sin Seven at Shoppes at Edgewater
5-9 p.m.: Clay Musgrave at Sharky’s Beach Club
6-7 p.m.: Against the Current at Wicked Wheel
7-8 p.m.: Tombstone Belt Buckle at Wicked Wheel (rear stage)
7-11 p.m.: Terry Brock/Kevin Jacobs at Wicked Wheel (front stage)
8 p.m.: Battery at Club La Vela
8-10 p.m.: Never Stop Believin’ at Shoppes at Edgewater
8-11 p.m.: Big Engine at Sandpiper Beacon
8p.m. to Close: Skinny Velvet at Pineapple Willy’s
8:30 p.m. to Close: The Dan Lawson Band at Wicked Wheel
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Crosstie at Ms. Newby’s; Geneva at Sharky’s
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Mr Mayhem at Club La Vela; Nashville Mafia at Whiskeys Saloon
11 p.m.: Eli at Sandpiper Beacon
Sunday:
3-7 p.m.: 345 Express at Ms. Newby’s
