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2008 Nature Coast Thunder Rally
Well, the 2nd Annual Nature Coast Thunder Rally, held in Citrus
County April 11 - 13, is in the history books! Overall everything seemed to have gone pretty well, and we’ve received a lot of great feedback from all the bikers. Of course, there were a few small gliches, but life wouldn’t be life with them.
Words by Dice
Photos by Dice and Tigger
Dice's 2008 Nature Coast Thunder Rally
Photo Gallery
Click the thumbnail to see larger picture.
The first small problem was the Dixie Biker Kickoff Party at the Plantation Inn Friday night. That didn’t quite go as planned, believe me, but after talking with Monk about the need to “Tell it like it was. . .” He agreed and said, “Why would that be a problem? We always tell it like it is, bro.” The good, the bad, the ‘what-have-you’ — it’s what we do at DBI and have been din’ for eight years.
Anyhow, when we were doing the coordination for the party, the room rates and what-have-you, we were told that the drink prices were going to be as low as the rest of the drink specials goin’ on all over Citrus County for the NCTR. That didn’t seem to happen—not when you’re paying $7.50 for an Absolut and Cranberry and $3 for a 12 oz. can of beer. Someone also told me, “Bro – I paid ten bucks for a margarita!” That’s a bit outrageous, I think. I spoke with the GM afterwards, and he told me there was special pricing in the computers but I guess some of the servers decided to charge their own prices then. Oh well. lesson learned. One thing for sure is that the room rate was right on the money! For all they had to offer, $85 per night was damn good! They gave us up to a 30% discount off their normal rates, and you won’t see that in Daytona or Leesburg or just about anywhere else for that matter!
Now, on to the music. That was a total disaster. This was not the Plantation Inn’s fault, it was ours. We didn’t check into this person as we should have. She was suppose to play what ‘We’ all wanted to hear as a “DJ” not a Karaoke fest. We were not happy about what was goin’ on but she didn’t want to listen to what we wanted. All we can say is we apologize. Next time: Live Band! Other than that I think the folks at the Plantation Inn did a nice job with the free buffet the set out and I hope we will be looking to them next year as a sponsor of the Rally again. Also Thanks to “Joe” for letting us ‘hang out’.
Other than that, the Rally was pretty successful. All the other parties went well and I appreciate all the sponsors trying to keep everything on time so everyone had time to get to the next place. I ran into alot of people who attended last year’s Rally and said we need to keep doing this! Thanks to all of the bikers who came out and especially the ones who returned from last year. Without you and the wonderful sponsors, this Rally would not take place! So with that said, it’s on for next year! That’s right— we’ve already started working Harley-Davidson of Crystral River for 3rd Annual Nature Coast Thunder Rally for April 11 – 13th of 2009! Watch for all the advertising coming soon! We know you want it, so we plan to get this thing really rollin’ early.
I have to thank all the sponsors who truly did an absolutely wonderful job. Of course our biggest sponsor who has gone “above and beyond” for the Rally two years in a row: Harley-Davidson of Crystal River. They put together an awesome concert Sunday that was just spectacular! The other two days they also kept people busy with live bands and other things going on at the dealership. “Thank you!” Derek, Warren and Cheryl for spending the time and money to bring a perfect weekend to all the bikers! You guys rock!
A huge Thank you goes out to Darryl Worley, too, for puting on one of the best concerts I’ve seen in a long while and thanks for being a down to earth individual! If you didn’t make the Darryl Worley concert you definitely missed a great show. If he’s ever in concert near you, go see him! ‘Our other sponsors included Iron Horse Parts of Lecanto, Thanks goes out to Gwen, Marcus and Bill for all the help and keeping things in order, and Allen and Anne Pope of Citrus MotorSports and everyone involed with these two sponsors, did a bang up job on the poker run which had 224 riders! Thanks to Sandy and Rich from Sleepy Hollow, The Plantation Inn, Pam, Rick and staff from the Oar House, JML Foundation, Deanna from Wholesale Leather Outlet, Mike from Advanced Waste Solutions, Pam, Scott & staff from Mike’s Friendly Pub, Sal & staff from the Ramble Inn, Lee from Duffy’s Lounge, Chris, Anthony and all our friends there at Scooter Haven and of course Monk, Boots andDixie Biker Illustrated. Sorry if I missed anyone, there was just so many good people helping out to make this thing work. Everyone of these sponsors really out did themselves to make this Rally something special for all the bikers! A Huge "Thank You" goes out to every one of them, and to all the people involved in making this a success! Couldn’t have done it without you!
This year’s designated Charities all did very well this year with over $14,000 going out to: Big Brothers-Big Sisters; The Dream Society; the Boys & Girls Club of Citrus County, Operation Yellow Bow and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To all the Bikers who came out to this event, YOU are the reason we have done this, YOU are why we do what we do. All year long you give your time and money to so many causes, This Rally is for you! “THANK YOU” for attending and supporting the Nature Coast Thunder Rally and as I’ve said before: Next year, bigger and better!
C’ya. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Down the Road
