Thunder Beach 2008 Panama City Beach

Joe Biggs outdid himself this past week. The Thunder Beach Spring Rally in Panama City Beach was a complete success. The crowds were enormous, but with the completion of most of the construction projects along Front Beach Road, the traffic was very well managed. There were a total of 7 different venues, stretching from Newby’s II on Thomas Drive all the way to Frank Brown Park, which is roughly the size of a county fairground…and when we left this afternoon, it was FULL. People, I don’t know how familiar you are with Panama City Beach, but that is 20 MILES of motorcycles. I have no idea just how many people were here this week, but based on how many bikes I saw, the size of each of the venues, and the very few accommodations left vacant, I would imagine we saw more than 70,000 people.
Panama City Beach has really grown in the last 7 or 8 years. Many of the new stores and restaurants in the Pier Park Development have opened in just the last month or so. Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville was spectacularly successful this past week, we never drove past it during business hours that it was not completely overflowing with guests. All the Condo projects that have blocked traffic in the last few years have opened for business, providing brand new accommodations for visitors. Parking is provided free at all the venues for motorcycles, and the hotels and condos go out of their way to provide spaces for bikes as well.
The vendors at this rally get bigger and better and more numerous every year. This year, even Orange County Choppers of TV fame brought in a big rig with a full display of their production motorcycles…and they look even better in person than they do on television. After they got a front seat view of Thunder Beach, maybe we can entice Paul Sr, Paul Jr, and Mikey to visit with us at the next rally. The Edgwater Beach Pavilion has indoor and outdoor displays and vendors.
The event schedule is getting harder to keep up with, I lost count at about 31 different Bands including Eli and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. ABATE sponsored Biker Games, there were lingerie shows, a fireworks kickoff show, Tattoo competitions, Bikini contests, poker runs, the inevitable wet t shirt contests, a magnificent Bike Show, the Blessing of the Bikes, a Globe of Death and MC Freestyle show, Biker Breakfasts, events, shows, and bike washes sponsored by and for the Shriners , ABATE, Cops and Kids, and Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Kevin Kight Memorial Parade was once again a huge success. This parade is named in memory of Sergeant Kevin Kight of the Panama City Beach Police Department who lost his life in the line of duty on Front Beach Road on March 27, 2005. I spoke with Joe Biggs last fall before the Fall 2007 Rally, and he assured me that “as long as there is a Thunder Beach Rally on Panama City Beach, there will always be a Kevin Kight Memorial Parade.” I am sure as time goes on and good memories begin to help ease the pain, Kevin’s family will appreciate the unique honor this parade contributes to Kevin’s memory. Kevin believed that service to his community was worth risking his precious life…and this parade brings him back to life to serve again twice a year. Kevin continues to serve the community he loved even in death; as a front line warrior of the Thin Blue Line, no greater honor could be bestowed upon him than to be allowed to continue to serve.

The rumble of the pipes, the smells of leather and hot chrome, the feel of the sea wind in your face, the comraderie of a huge family, a massive display of patriotism and plenty of just plain fun may not appeal to you, and if they don’t, stay home during the Thunder Beach Rallys at Panama City Beach. If all of those things are close to your heart, and make you feel as good about yourself as they do me, y’all come to the September Rally!