Thunder Beach Fall Rally Guide: What to Know for October 21-25
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The 26th Annual Thunder Beach Fall Rally rolls into Panama City Beach on Wednesday, October 21, and runs through Sunday, October 25. Admission is free at every official venue. No wristbands, no day passes, free parking.
Rally Central: Frank Brown Park
Frank Brown Park at 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway is the heart of the rally. Vendors, exhibits, bike builders, and the Thunder Beach concert series all run out of the park. The Thunder Beach Saloon sits under a big tent in the center with live music daily, plus food and drinks.
New this year at the park: the Iron and Chrome Collective Museum on Wheels, a free exhibit running all rally week with rare builds, custom choppers, and race bikes, including the Bad Boy Berry statue, a 1965 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson factory racer, and Berry Wardlaw's Assalt Weapan land-speed Panhead.
The other venues
Six more official venues spread across town: the Crossroads at 15238 Front Beach Road with its vendor village, custom bike shows, and sound-off contests; Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach at 14700 Panama City Beach Parkway with free bike parking, three full bars, and another vendor village; plus Sharky's Beachfront, Hammerhead Fred's, McGuire's Irish Pub, and the Bike Rack.
Bike shows and music
Custom bike contests include the Urban Rides All-Cycle Showdown and the Baggers and Tailz Custom Bike Show, plus the Thunder Beach Biker Sound Off Competition. Bands at the Thunder Beach Saloon include Derek Givens, Split Kricket, King Cotton, Big Engine, Poison Whiskey, and Trippin' Gypsy.
Pier Park is open to riders this year
In a change from past rallies, the official Thunder Beach page announced on October 17 that Pier Park will be open to riders during the rally, with the businesses there encouraging bikers to stop in. In previous years the park's main road was closed to motorcycle traffic, a move that drew loud complaints from rallygoers. Ride in, hang out, and support the shops and restaurants rolling out the welcome mat.
Special events
Legends Dinner, Thursday Oct 22: Dinner with motorcycle industry legends at McGuire's Irish Pub, 7 PM. Guests include Sturgis Hall of Fame builder Berry Wardlaw, Cycle Source's Chris and Heather Callen, and bike builder Vivian Gypsy Charros. $100 per person, all proceeds benefit Road Guardians and 1 Soldier, 1 Dog, 1 Team.
Chopper Ride-In and Gumbo Hangout, Saturday Oct 24: Breakfast show with live music at T's On Thomas Bar and Kitchen starting at 10 AM, kickstands up 11:30 AM for a ride to Frank Brown Park with VIP parking at the Iron and Chrome museum, then back to T's for afternoon games. Gumbo by Shantell Williams. All bikes welcome.
Scenic Sunday Ride, Sunday Oct 25: Meet at the Salty Goat Saloon at 11 AM, kickstands up 11:30 AM. Cruise east to Toucan's on the Beach in Mexico Beach, back and reopened after Hurricane Michael just in time for the rally. Donations collected go to the American Cancer Society.
Getting there
A new traffic light just went in front of Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach on US-98, which makes getting in and out of the dealership a lot easier. Back Beach Road is still an active construction zone, so give yourself extra time on 98.
Come see us
Biker Nation will be set up at Frank Brown Park all week in our usual spot behind the stage. Stop by the booth and say hello.
