2020 THUNDER BEACH® AUTUMN RALLY
OCTOBER 21-25 | OFFICIALLY CANCELLED
PCB City Manager Decides COVID 19 Won’t Allow For A Safe Rally!
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 According to Thunder Beach Productions, Inc. President Joe Biggs: “The official rally score for the 2020 season has turned out to be: Corona Virus - 2, Thunder Beach – 0. Obviously, this is not the outcome for the Autumn Rally that we had hoped for. We thought we had a reasonable chance for the Rally to be permitted, right up until we received Tony O’Rourke’s decision on Tuesday.”
In a statement released yesterday, City Manager, Tony O’Rourke stated, “The Promoters took extraordinary steps to address COVID-19 safety protocols for their vendors, staff, volunteers, venues, concessions and patrons. They even cancelled large gathering events such as live music concerts and the Miss Thunder Beach Pageant out of an abundance of caution.”
Official Rally Partner, Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC) President, Dan Rowe concurred with the City Manager by stating: “You guys have gone to great lengths to ensure your official events follow the COVID 19 safety protocols and I am glad those efforts are being acknowledged. Hopefully, we can get this virus behind us and you’ll be back in the saddle come spring.”
Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach said in their official press release yesterday, “We understand and respect the City’s decision, made in conjunction with the event’s promoter, Thunder Beach Productions, to cancel the Autumn Rally in order to promote a healthy and safe environment for our community.”
At the end of the day, we respect and completely agree with the City Manager’s difficult decision. Public safety should always trump any other agenda, regardless of how noble. Mr. O’Rourke understandably felt that Thunder Beach Productions could effectively manage safety protocols at our official venues and sponsored partners (like Harley-Davidson of PCB, Hammerhead Fred’s, Sharky’s etc.), but not at other locations that could potentially host thousands of Thunder Beach patrons during the course of each day during the Rally. We also concur that this lack of control could be catastrophic.
Be sure to read the complete press releases from the City of Panama City Beach and Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach. Both can be found on thunderbeachproductions.com
COVID-19 has negatively affected virtually every life on the planet in 2020. Most everything that can be said about it, already has been said. We all are desperate to reclaim at least some small semblance of normality in our lives. For those of us who are lucky enough to ride, the wind in our faces provides a bit of normality. Let’s hope the tide turns in 2021 so we can all celebrate at the 23rd Thunder Beach Spring Rally, April 28th thru May 2nd. Ride Safe/Be Safe!
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