The West Coast Thunder Foundation is an avid supporter of our country’s military and honors those who serve and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
The foundation produces the country’s largest Memorial Day motorcycle ride, West Coast Thunder, benefiting the Riverside National Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery system.
You can support West Coast Thunder here.
What is West Coast Thunder?
More than 7,500 motorcycles from all over the country line the streets of Indiana Avenue in Riverside, California, each Memorial Day. The parade honors the soldiers who fight for our freedom and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Established in 2000 by members of the Inland Empire Harley Owners GroupⓇ, the parade begins at Riverside Harley-Davidson and travels by police escort through the city, passing the Riverside National Cemetery, and onto the freeway to Storm Stadium in Lake Elsinore, California.
The day concludes with a concert at Storm Stadium. Past performers at the event include country artists Big & Rich, Granger Smith, Eli Young Band, Frankie Ballard, among others.
Proceeds from West Coast Thunder’s registration help build monuments, provide repairs to the Medal of Honor Memorial, purchase golf carts, and support other ancillary services at Riverside National Cemetery.
A nonprofit organization, the West Coast Thunder Foundation has given more than $1.2 million over the past 20 years, is the single-largest donor, and was largely responsible for erecting the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Memorial on the cemetery grounds in 2005.
When is West Coast Thunder?
West Coast Thunder happens each Memorial Day. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, the novel Coronavirus that forced stay-at-home orders and canceled events all over the world, the 2020, 2021, and 2022 events were postponed. The next West Coast Thunder event is scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023.
How Can I Help?
Despite the pandemic, the West Coast Thunder Foundation is still raising funds to support projects, such as the American Indian Veterans Memorial to be constructed at Riverside National Cemetery. You can help by making a tax-free donation to the charity at https://westcoastthunder.com/donate.
West Coast Thunder Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Where Can I Get More Information?
More details about West Coast Thunder can be found here.