The Complete Sturgis Rally Guide: Everything You Need To Know About The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Love There’s nothing in the world like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Our rides, concerts, and events are as notorious as they are famous. You’ve heard stories of horned men, buffalo hide bikes, and bartenders on stilts pouring drinks down people’s throats. You’ve seen iconic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally celebrations on T.V.: Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and every news channel known to man. Maybe you’ve been to the Sturgis Rally and ridden past Mount Rushmore, through the Needle’s Eye, or scraped pegs on the 360-degree Pigtail Bridge turns. You want to experience the Sturgis Rally, and you should. It’s easy to imagine yourself riding down Main Street, hitting the 84 curves on Iron Mountain Rd through the Black Hills, or drinking a cold one, center stage, at the best concert of your life. But what else should you know about the Sturgis Rally? Anyone who comes to the Sturgis Rally knows there is no shortage of things to do. In fact, it’s impossible to do All The Things, even if you tried. To ensure you don’t waste your time at the wrong events during this year’s Rally, you need the inside scoop, a trusted Sturgis Rally Guide of must-dos, and you need it now to plan for the Sturgis Rally. Do all the things you truly want to do. What Is The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally? If you made it this far in your search, you likely know the Sturgis Rally is an 84-year old gathering of like-minded individuals who share a love for motorcycling and the freedom of the road. The Sturgis Rally started as a race between a few friends. Since then, it has become a ten-day bike rally with rides, bike shows, and concerts unlike anywhere else in the world. The Sturgis Rally is known for some of the best motorcycle riding in the world, unique concert settings, and crazy events that create smiles from ear to ear. But Sturgis is more than just a series of events. It’s the feeling of outrunning a storm through the Black Hills, enjoying a “we’re not gonna take it” moment at a Buffalo Chip Twisted Sister concert, and gawking at eye-catching hand-built bikes. The Rally is a state of being. It’s the wind and sun on your face as you ride past Mount Rushmore. It is a laugh with lifelong friends. It is a memory you’ll cherish forever. When Is The 2024 Sturgis Rally? The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally starts on the first Friday of August every year. The 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is August 1 through 11, 2024. The Sturgis Rally Pre-Party starts on August 1, 2024, at the Buffalo Chip. Where Is The Sturgis Bike Rally? The Sturgis Rally takes place in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Multiple promoters organize and promote the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Lamphere Ranch, Full Throttle Saloon, Glencoe Campresort, Black Hills Harley-Davidson, and the City of Sturgis, to name a few. Who Owns The Sturgis Rally? NOBODY OWNS THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY. Since day 1, the Sturgis Rally has been by bikers for bikers. Not by the city government, for bikers. In 2018, the Eighth Circuit Court made that fact clear when they ruled that 100s of private entities have organized the Sturgis Rally over the years. “We agree and hold that the jury could not infer from the onerous planning that the City undertakes to provide infrastructure for the Rally that the City was the organizer or sponsor of the Rally. To allow such an inference would be tantamount to saying that it would be reasonable to infer that the City of New York organizes the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly because of everything it does to assist their occurrence.” The court went on to say that an organization cannot establish ownership “simply by getting its officials and agents to say that it is.” Corporate sponsors paid millions of dollars to the City of Sturgis for the right to use false trademarks over the years. Will sponsors who paid for licensing to use those false trademarks want their money back? Read the articles explaining the historic ruling here: https://dev.sturgis.com/sturgismotorcyclerally/news/will-the-sturgis-motorcycle-rally-be-canceled-sturgis-rally-is-on-say-businesses-even-if-city-opts-out https://dev.sturgis.com/blog/sturgis-rally-trademark-officially-struck-down When Did The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Start? A local racing club called the Jackpine Gypsies started the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 1938. The Jackpine Gypsies Club was founded in 1936 by local Indian dealer Clarence “Pappy” Hoel, who later started the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as a series of races and stunts. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally originally began as a two-day event called the “Black Hills Motor Classic.” The Jackpine Gypsies continue to host races annually outside of the Sturgis City Limits in Meade County. In 2020, the City of Sturgis attempted an unsuccessful hostile annexation of the Jackpine Gypsies’ property. The Jackpine Gypsies successfully petitioned to bring the forced annexation attempt to vote and won. Should I Register For The Sturgis Rally Or Just Show Up? Have you ever shown up to a destination wishing someone was there to tell you about all the best things to see and do? Sure you have! Discovering the best that the Sturgis Rally has to offer can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can begin your Sturgis Rally adventure by connecting with a friendly face, picking up a Welcome Packet, and free Sturgis Rally Ride Pin and Patch at the Sturgis Rally Information Center™! Sometimes all you need to help make your trip frustration-free is the opportunity to ask someone for a recommendation on what to do and see. Check out the Sturgis.com Official Sturgis Rally Registration. You’ll be glad you did. Where To Stay In Sturgis During The Motorcycle Rally? Where you should stay during the Sturgis Rally depends on you. If you want the traditional authentic Sturgis Rally experience, the best place to stay during the Sturgis Rally would be at a campground like the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. The Buffalo Chip is the original “by bikers for bikers” campground. It opened when the City of Sturgis kicked bikers out of town and is the original
The Doggfather: Part 2. Snoop Dogg Returns to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip for 2022 Rally
Love Legendary rapper, actor and showman Snoop Dogg returns to the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling® on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022 Sturgis, S.D. (October 12, 2021): Never one to fit the mold, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip® is breaking barriers once again with the return of Super Bowl-Level entertainer Snoop Dogg on the first Saturday of the 82nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Based on the massive success of Snoop Dogg’s first visit to the Best Party Anywhere® in 2019, the venue is bringing back the Doggfather for an evening of Sturgis Rally Concerts. See the official concert announcement video at BuffaloChip.com/BANDS. Since 1993, Snoop Dogg has proved time and time again that his music appeals to just about any crowd. From Super Bowl LVI to a motorcycle rally at the Chip, crowds everywhere groove along with mega-hits like “Gin & Juice,” “Nuthin’ But A G Thang,” “Next Episode,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Young, Wild & Free,” and so many more. Snoop Dogg in 2019 at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip When we announced Snoop Dogg in 2019, no one knew what to expect. He wasn’t the traditional performer that the Buffalo Chip crowd was accustomed to. But when he took the stage, we were blown away! He had a huge fanbase at the Chip, singing and dancing along to his long list of hit songs. It was an incredible performance. With talent like that, it’s no surprise to me that Snoop Dogg is headlining the Super Bowl this year, and we are darn happy to bring folks here some Super-Bowl-quality entertainment! – Rod Woodruff, CEO of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip The unrivaled Snoop Dogg is the first artist announced for the 2022 Sturgis Buffalo Chip Music and Motorcycle Festival. More announcements coming soon. Performances from the world’s top entertainers are just a part of what the Sturgis Buffalo Chip has in store for 2022. Guests will have the opportunity to experience countless events, including legendary rides, powerful freedom celebrations, top-tier bike shows, heart-pounding stunts, white-knuckle racing events and so much more. The Buffalo Chip is home to the Sturgis Rally Information Center™ and is the official sponsor of the free Sturgis.com Official Sturgis Rally Registration Program. Love
ZZ Top Announcement, And Gimme All Your Lovin’ Too!
Love The Sturgis Buffalo Chip is bringing in the ultimate, no-nonsense, make-you-party-so-hard-you-forget-what-planet-you’re-on band, ZZ Top, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 and showing some Valentine’s Day love by featuring fans in wild internet memes. While the world is busy getting sucked into a black hole of seriousness, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip is bringing blues-rock divinity ZZ Top to the masses as a reminder that good old rock and roll can help bring back their smiles. Festival fans worldwide are getting a ZZ Top announcement from the venue just in time for Valentine’s Day. GIMME ALL YOUR LOVIN’ Since ZZ Top music is about having fun and Valentine’s Day is a time for human connection, the Buffalo Chip is playing around with fans’ hearts using the great unifier of our time – internet memes. Drawing inspiration from ZZ Top’s hit “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” the Chip is connecting fans with the band through composite photos, gifs, and videos depicting them giving each other all their lovin’ and their hugs and kisses too. Visit the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s social media channels to enjoy a few smiles and hilarious alternate universe fan experiences with ZZ Top. ZZ Top performs Aug. 11, 2021, at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. Those who want to get in on the fun and preview the party that awaits can do so at BuffaloChip.com/BANDS. Turn off the news. Turn up the ZZ Top and Kid Rock. There is enough bad news going on in the world. We’ll stick to what we do best – having a good time. – Daymon Woodruff of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip “The news of ZZ Top coming for the 40th anniversary to perform on the same bill as Kid Rock is about the best Valentine’s present we could think of for the rally crowd,” said Rod Woodruff, CEO of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. “ZZ Top makes music for the fun-lovin’ biker, so we’re going to take a page out of ZZ’s playbook and just have some fun announcing them.” Why is humor and having a good time so important? Sturgis Buffalo Chip Resident Fun Expert explains: “This ZZ Top announcement provides hope that the world of outdoor music festivals and real human connection has a bright future,” said Daymon Woodruff of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. “Turn off the news. Turn up the ZZ Top and Kid Rock. There is enough bad news going on in the world. We’ll stick to what we do best – having a good time.” Performances by top entertainers like ZZ Top and Kid Rock are just a piece of what the Sturgis Buffalo Chip has in store for their 40th Anniversary in 2021. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience countless events, including legendary rides, powerful freedom celebrations, top-tier bike shows, white-knuckle racing events, and so much more. Entertainment is free with camping. More announcements are coming soon. See all events at https://dev.sturgis.com/events/all-events. Excited to see ZZ Top at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip? Tell us about it the comments below! Love
