22 YEARS OF GIVING!

I’m at that age where I can’t remember what I did 5 minutes ago, let alone, 22 years ago!

- Susan Hurst

When it comes to pulling off outstanding and memorable biker events, Lucy Nicandri, the force behind Thunder By The Bay, can remember every detail on that first planning day; where the first Thunder By The Bay was planned out on a restaurant napkin!

Who would have thought that you’re on your 22nd year with Thunder, Lucy? “Oh, Susan! You remembered the napkin story!” Yes, it is hard to believe that we have been doing this for so long!”

“I try to remind people constantly that this fundraiser is to benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. The many changes we’ve made over the years have only increased the funding Suncoast Charities can provide to 5 local non-profit agencies that provide services to over 5,000 children, teens, and adults with special needs. When we moved from downtown to the Sarasota Fairgrounds, it was a win-win in many ways. Our vendors were thrilled, freestyle acts and a burnout contest could now take place, camping became available, and the Festival is now able to raise more money for the charity, which is what it is all about.

How do Lucy and her amazing group of volunteers pull this event off year after year? After 22 years, does all of this planning and arranging happen automatically? “We do have many instances of “click-throughs” where we have our checklists that we go through weekly. Sixty days out we are in the office seven days a week. In addition to TBTB, there are other festivals that I’m working on. I have a huge whiteboard that I actually do triage with for the event. What’s time-sensitive every week? It’s a balancing act that works.” Lucy also shared with me that there are at least 100 meetings total that occur from the initial planning stages to the week of the event! “These meetings are with sponsors, volunteers, police, fire, City and County officials, etc. It’s non-stop.”