STURGIS – The 83rd City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is just over a week away and preparations are well underway for this year’s event.
Several new events have been added to the lineup this year include the Pearl’s Girls Ride. This all-women’s ride honors the legacy of Pearl Hoel, wife of Pappy Hoel, founder of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Pearl stood alongside her husband helping plan and host the Rally for many years.
The Pearl’s Girls ride, scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 9, will be led by longtime Sturgis resident and Sturgis City Councilor Beka Zerbst, who will take everyone on her favorite rides throughout the beautiful Black Hills.
Accompanying Zerbst on the ride will be the 83rd City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Grand Marshal Laura Klock. Klock has seen all sides of the Rally from being a vendor to enjoying all the Rally has to offer while on girls’ trips to the event. “I’m so excited to represent the rally and encourage people to come here if they’ve never been. Even if they don’t ride motorcycle, they can come and experience it and see this world. It’s amazing.”
Also new this year, the city will host a mayor’s poker run throughout the Black Hills and into Wyoming. And, rallygoers can participate in a Sturgis Passport program by visiting local Sturgis businesses. Once they have their passport filled, they will be entered in a drawing for prizes.
Loop Rawlins, a versatile Western performer, is bringing his extraordinary talent to the opening ceremonies of the 83rd City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Friday, Aug. 4. His trick roping, whip cracking and fancy gun spinning has thrilled thousands of audiences including those who saw him on “America’s Got Talent.”
Two local veterans, Boyd “Pug” Daane and Kristi Ortiz, will be honored on Military Appreciation Day on Tuesday, Aug. 8. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at Harley-Davidson Rally Point. The B-1 flyover will be at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
This year’s closing ceremonies will be a tribute to all first responders. The event begins at 11 a.m. at Harley-Davidson Rally Point. First responders include all who put their life on the line for the sake of others (nurses, paramedics/EMTs, police officers, firefighters and more).
The city will be honoring two lifelong first responders, former Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin and former Sturgis Volunteer Fire Chief Tom Trigg. Please join us in honoring their dedication as well as all first responders.
The speaker for the event will be Mark Schmidt, President of the Sturgis Hospital and Market.
Also at the closing ceremony, the city will be revealing the 84th logo and showcasing the winner of the logo contest. Join us to find out who won the contest and the prize. Be part of the crowd to score some City of Sturgis swag.
Following is a list of events scheduled during the 10-day run of the City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally:
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2:
- Police Chief’s Ride: 9 a.m., tennis courts behind the Sturgis Community Center
FRIDAY, AUG. 4:
- Opening ceremonies, 3 p.m. Harley-Davidson Rally Point
SATURDAY, AUG. 5:
- Mayor’s Ride, 8 a.m. Sturgis Community Center parking lot
- Mayor’s Pub crawl, 7 p.m. downtown Sturgis
SUNDAY, AUG. 6:
- Ride with a local, register online at sturgissuperstore.com
- 1st Sunday in Sturgis Motorcycle Show, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 6th & Lazelle Streets
- Medicine Wheel Ride, 10 a.m., Bear Butte State Park
MONDAY, AUG. 7:
- Legendary Sturgis 5K run, 7 a.m. Woodland Shelter in the Sturgis City Park
- Ride with a local, register online at sturgissuperstore.com
- Mayor’s Poker Tournament, noon, Cadillac Jack’s Casino, Deadwood
- Sturgis V-TWIN Visionary Performance Motorcycle Show Series presented by Harley-Davidson at Harley-Davidson Rally Point
TUESDAY, AUG. 8:
- Sturgis Military Appreciation Day, 2 p.m., Harley-Davidson Rally Point
- B-1 flyover, 3 p.m., Main Street Sturgis
- Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Tattoo Contest, registration at 5 p.m. Harley-Davidson Rally Point
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9:
- 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Lodge at Deadwood
- Pearl’s Girls Ride, 8:30 a.m. registration, Sturgis Tennis Courts at 6th and Williams Street
- Sturgis Beard and Mustache Contest, Harley-Davidson Rally Point, 5 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 10:
- Ride with a local, register online at sturgissuperstore.com
FRIDAY, AUG. 11:
- Ride with a local, register online at sturgissuperstore.com
SATURDAY, AUG. 12:
- Closing ceremonies, 11 a.m. Harley-Davidson Rally Point
