STURGIS, S.D. – On a 7-2 vote, the Sturgis Council Monday night voted to allow open container on Main Street during this year’s Motorcycle Rally.
City leaders say allowing open containers during the rally offers several positives, including giving visitors a more relaxed, inviting experience downtown as well as offering a new revenue stream for the city and its local charities.
The proposed plan consists of allowing an open container within an approximate area of Main and Lazelle Streets. Consumption of either beer or wine would be restricted to a special event cup. Sales of that cup, according to City Manager Daniel Ainslie, could help Sturgis Rally Charities.
He says significant signage would be in place to inform people of the open container boundaries.
As expected, there was some concern and there was some question on whether or not law enforcement was involved in the planning. Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater says he can’t say if it’s a bad idea or not until they see it happen.
“When it comes to the Rally, it opens up another entirely different animal that we don’t know. I’d like to sit here and say yeah we shouldn’t do it because of this, this and this. I don’t have the facts to sit here and tell you today based on this I think it’s a bad idea. I believe there will come a day when it’s gonna happen and I can guarantee you me and my staff will do everything they can to keep everybody safe.”
Sturgis Council President Beka Zerbst says this plan is for one year only, and will be revisited next year.
“This is something, every year, that we will take a look at. If we approve it tonight, a year from now, we will take a look back to see if it worked. We are not tying the hands of future councils here.”
The open container will run from Friday, August 6th through Saturday, August 14th and is effective between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Voting against the resolution were Mike Bachand and Angela Wilkerson.
