Thunder Beach Productions welcomes the latest addition to the Thunder Beach Official Venue family:  

"The Wicked Wheel is a custom concept theme Bar and Restaurant that was created for all ages to enjoy, with one thing in mind: to share our love for classic cars, custom bikes, and all things cool.   

 Wicked Wheel

Patronizing of Official Thunder Beach Venues is how we are able to offer these great Rallies with FREE venue admission and parking.  Look for the "Official Thunder Beach Sponsor" signs on display at each of our Sponsors locations and please support our sponsors so that they continue to support the Rallies! 

Goodbye 2011...

Hello 2012!!!

As the twelfth year of the third millennium prepares to take a final bow, the crew at Thunder Beach Productions wants to express our humble appreciation to all of our loyal Riders who made the trek to the Thunder Beach Rallies this year. Even with the economy still in the crapper, 2011 proved to be the biggest year to date for both the Spring and Autumn Rallies. Not only were there more "Motorcycle Tourists" packing the hotels and condos of Panama City Beach than ever before, but we were fortunate to welcome in even more of the biggest names in the Motorcycle Industry like Drag Specialties, Klock Werks and S&S Cycles to name just a few. In fact, other than Sturgis, Daytona Bike Week and Laconia, you'll find more big names at Thunder Beach in the Spring than anywhere else.

While I know it sounds cliché to say it, 2012 will certainly be even bigger and more eventful for Thunder Beach than 2011. Here are just a few of the reasons why everyone at Thunder Beach Productions is excited about the coming year:

• Land preparation has finally begun for Panama City Beach Harley-Davidson, with actual construction of the dealership beginning sometime in mid-spring. While they certainly won't be open until after the 2012 Autumn Rally, we're all looking forward to a dynamic and productive working relationship. Not only will PCBH-D become an outstanding venue during Thunder Beach, it will add a whole new dimension of motorcycle related activities throughout the year. The Tampa based Harley organization is headed in part by Gary Bang, whose family has been heavily involved with Harley Davidson and the motorcycle industry for over 100 years! We'll tell you more in January!
• The Wicked Wheel Bar & Grill will be opening its doors this spring in plenty of time for The Thunder Beach Spring Rally.  I'm happy to announce that the Wheel will be hosting the newest "Official" Thunder Beach Venue during the Spring Rally. We'll be keeping you posted on all "Wheel" news as it occurs. The location is just west of the Super Walmart on Middle Beach Road (Hutchinson Blvd). Go to www.WickedGrill.com.
• As we get past the Holidays and on into January, there will be several new Spring Rally event features that will be announced. Stay tuned to www.ThunderBeachProductions.com for details as arrangements are completed.
• As most of you probably already know, the 2012 Autumn Rally has moved to the 2^nd week of October, Wednesday the 10^th through Sunday the 14^th. Two years ago we moved the Autumn dates back by one week, to the 1^st week in October, in hopes of getting more National Vendors. We did get a few, but our dates still conflicted with four other regional to national motorcycle events to which many of our Spring Rally Vendors were committed. By making this move a majority of the major National Vendors and Exhibitors, who attend Thunder Beach in the Spring have now committed to coming to the Autumn Rally. Many more are sure to commit. Without their attendance and sponsorship of Thunder Beach, it is fiscally impossible for Thunder Beach Productions to promote and produce the fall rally. Remember; Thunder Beach is a FREE rally...we collect no alcohol receipts, gate, cover or parking charges! Yet our cost of doing business is the same in the Autumn as it is in the Spring. WE MUST DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO ENABLE THE GROWTH OF THE AUTUMN RALLY!! There really is no option unless you know somebody with a very rich uncle. I apologize if this has created any inconvenience with lodging reservations or anything else. If you need help with changing any reservations or to answer any questions, contact Rich Law in the Thunder Beach office: rich@thunderbeachproductions.com or call toll free 888-628-1638 or 850-249-7627.

With any large event (or, in our case, events), it takes countless people within the community to help make it all come together. This year I'd like to focus on our local government officials. There are several Panama City Beach Officials whose involvement is instrumental to our success: Mayor Gayle Oberst and the City Council, City Manager Richard Jackson (who is a long time fellow rider), Police Chief Bobby Harding (and his many Officers who walk softly, but are always there when we all need them), Fire Chief John Daly, Buildings Director Mel Leonard, Leisure Services Director Mary Carmichael, Building Official Ken Thorndyke (another long time rider and past president of the local Christian Motorcycle Association chapter) and Susan Griffin (Vending Permits). I would also like to thank President Dan Rowe and VP of Marketing Susan Estler of the PCB Convention & Visitors Bureau. Truthfully there are many more folks with the City who regularly go out of their way to help us make things just a little easier...Jo, Leslie, Millie, Marsha, Dale, Mellissa...you know who you are, we certainly do!

I would also like to shout out a thank you to Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen for his understanding and professional support of Thunder Beach. Thanks to Deputy Brian Chavers for helping to coordinate event security, as well as all of our Bay County Deputies for their support. In fact Law Enforcement Professionals throughout Bay County are and have always been extremely supportive of Thunder Beach. Thanks for watching out for our butts while putting yours on the line!

Obviously there are countless other people who play a huge part in the success of Thunder Beach; all of our Local and National Sponsors, our hundreds of Professional Vendors, from small to large, our local Business Community for their support and the simple fact that they "get it"! Ultimately, and most importantly, we want to thank all of our tens of thousands of ultra-loyal Riders who come to Panama City Beach twice each year. You are the reason that Thunder Beach exists!

 We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!

See you next year...

Joe Biggs & Staff @ Thunder Beach Productions.

Thunder Beach Productions

www.ThunderBeachProductions.com 

2012Official Rally Dates  

***2012AUTUMN RALLY DATES HAVE CHANGED*** 

SPRING 2012 

Kick Start Party - Wed, May 2  

AUTUMN 2012

Kick Start Party - Wed, Oct 10

If you have already made your lodging reservations for the Autumn Rally, please contact your Lodging facility to have the corrected dates reserved.

 Laketown Wharf 

Sterling Resorts 

By the Sea Resorts 

 Oaseas Resorts