Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally - Panama City Beach

EASY RIDER: Thunder Beach Spring Motorcycle Rally
Cruises into Panama City Beach, Fla.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (April 18, 2008) - Fire up those engines for the annual Thunder Beach Spring Motorcycle Rally in Panama City Beach, Fla. Known as "The Most Biker-Friendly, Free Rally in the United States," the event is expected to draw more than 65,000 bikers and their families from across America to this top seaside destination.

Celebrate a fully loaded weekend of Thunder Beach activities, as participants and spectators alike pay tribute to motorcycles and the people who 'ride to live and live to ride.' This year's event revs up on Thurs., May 1 - Sun., May 4, 2008.

The 2008 Thunder Beach Spring Rally features an action-packed schedule of events for every level of motorcycle enthusiast. Highlights include showmanship exhibitions, national and regional vendors, bike accessories and apparel, as well as live entertainment, local restaurant sponsors, free contests and giveaways - all hosted by seven venues on Panama City Beach. Parking and admission is free to all participants.

The Shoppes at Edgewater hosts the official Thunder Beach Bike Show. Cycle enthusiasts can stroll among 90,000 square feet of vendor exhibits, or purchase souvenirs from the "official" Thunder Beach merchandise tents. Local and regional entertainment performs daily on the main music stage from 11:00 a.m - 11:00 p.m., Thurs. - Sat. Visitors can also snag a front-row seat for the Sgt. Kevin Kight Memorial Thunder Beach Bike Parade, which salutes the fallen local police officer and raises food and monetary donations for Bay County children and families through the Cops for Kids program. The parade lines up just across the street from the Shoppes at Edgewater at 10:00 a.m., Sat., May 3, 2008.

Boardwalk Beach Resort kicks off this year's rally by playing host to the Full Throttle Magazine Welcome Party, Fri., May 2. Visitors find more than 40,000 square feet of merchandise vendors and exhibitors, both indoors and outdoors. The Blue Moose Saloon offers food and drink specials and a breakfast buffet. The beachside "Party Pavilion" features live entertainment, contests, cool refreshments and is home to the official "Miss Thunder Beach" contest. Meanwhile, the convention center is packed with vendors, fashion shows and a live DJ.

The Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort jumpstarts this year's spring rally with a "Pre-Event' Concert Series. National recording artists take the stage for six days of live musical performances, Fri., April 25 - Wed., April 30. Friday and Saturday evening will feature the classic rock and drivin' blues of The Dan Lawson Band. On Sunday, biker band Geneva delivers a full-throttle show, while Atlanta Rhythm Section brings southern rock back into the spotlight on Monday. Visitors won't want to miss a special performance by 'Slow Ride', featuring legendary original bassist Tony Stevens of Foghat, on Tuesday, April 29. Rounding out the series, Mustang Sally features an all-female lineup with country-rock tunes on Wednesday. The fun continues at the Sandpiper Beacon with concerts throughout Thunder Beach. On Friday and Saturday, witness one of the best show-bands around with Eli, complete with a dazzling laser and pyrotechnic show. Local band Relix concludes the festivities with renditions of classic beach tunes on Sunday. All shows are free. Visit www.sandpiperbeacom.com for more details.

At Spinnaker Beach Club and Paradise Grill, J.B. Walker & the Cheap Whisky Band provide live entertainment throughout the week with the group's special brand of "American Motor Music." Featuring indoor and outdoor stages, Spinnaker offers a full lineup of activities and contests, including the Hawaiian Tropic bikini contest, and a "ride-in" vendor village with more than 25,000 square feet of biker merchandise and displays. Enjoy fresh seafood and burgers hot off the grill in the outdoor dining tent while the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico.

National vendors and exhibitors set up shop for the Manufacturers & Bike Builders Village located in the Panama City Beach Special Events facility in Frank Brown Park. In addition to the official Thunder Beach Bike Show, you'll find an abundance of live entertainment, a top-notch motorcycle stunt show and a chance to test your riding skills in a variety of biker games. Shop for parts and accessories and sample fresh seafood and other culinary delights.

Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant & Tiki Bar offers food and drink specials daily throughout Thunder Beach. Munch on fresh crab cakes, grilled shrimp skewers and fried oysters, or sip a refreshing iced beverage while taking in cool ocean breezes just steps from the sand. Sharky's also features a full lineup of live musical entertainment from the main stage of its famous Tiki Bar. National and regional bands perform throughout the day and into the night, when visitors can kick up their heels beneath the stars on Sharky's 10,000-square-foot deck.

Newby's Too will host Factory Demo Rides from Boss Hoss and Yamaha motorcycles. There will also be a variety of vendor displays and motorcycle exhibitions featuring top motorcycle builders, and distributors. Visitors can also cruise over to the apparel section for biker wear & accessories from popular brands and motorcycle retailers.

For more information on the 2008 Thunder Beach Spring Motorcycle Rally, call toll-free (888) 396-1638 or visit http://www.thunderbeachproductions.com.

About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of silky, white-sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The Northwest Florida destination was cited as home to one of America's Top Beaches by TripAdvisor®, 2008, and was named among America's Most Beautiful Beaches by Condé Nast Traveler, 2006. Additional recognition as a top beach destination comes from The Travel Channel, USA Today, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, delectable dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this seaside destination annually. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-6503) or visit the official website of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.thebeachloversbeach.com.

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