STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis City Council has begun discussions regarding a conflict between two events that happen in Sturgis on the same weekend.
The Sturgis Camaro Rally and Black Hills 100 are held the same weekend – the fourth weekend in June – and there of concerns of significant overflow on the community’s hotels.
Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie says because of the increasing interest in both events, local hotel owners say they are having to send potential patrons to surrounding communities because they are full.
There has been discussion of moving one of the two events forward or backward a week, but neither event is warm to moving to a different weekend.
Councilor Kevin Forrester says it would be difficult for the Black Hills 100 to move.
“It takes about 50 volunteers to put on the Black Hills 100 and those pe0ple come from our local areas, ” Forrester says. “People that are attending this event, which is an ultra endurance event, they are planning a year in advance and are using a spreadsheet for their training and they booking their hotel rooms in October of the year before.”
Councilor Beka Zerbst wondered about moving the Camaro Rally since the city took over operations and promotions of the event.
“I think it would be easier for us, as a city, to change the date of the Camaro Rally,” Zerbst said. “When you look at the weekend before or after; it’s either Father’s Day or the Fourth of July. I know the people count on this event happening in the final weekend in June, but sometimes we have to make some changes and it’s not always the easiest thing.”
However, Public Works Director Rick Bush says it’s possible moving the Camaro Rally would put a strain on his staff. He told council members they don’t need staff for the Black Hills 100, but they do need a large staff for the Camaro Rally.
Council will continue to discuss options ahead of next year’s event. The two events remain as normal this year and run this weekend.
