Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is On, Say Area Businesses. Even if City Opts Out

Over 50 local businesses confirm they will be open and hosting the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2020.

Sturgis, SD (June 8, 2020): Over the past few months the question that has been on everyone’s mind is – will the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally be canceled?

“You can’t cancel what you don’t own,” said Randy Peterson, owner of Sturgis.com, the original website dedicated to promoting the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. “You can choose to participate or choose not to participate, but the Sturgis Rally will still go on regardless of what the City of Sturgis chooses.”

Consensus among area venues, campgrounds and over 50 hospitality businesses is that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is happening, and they will be open to host it.

 

No One Owns the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The fact there is no “official” owner of the rally is one that is widely misunderstood. Only recently have regional news and media outlets begun to shed more light on this reality.

In a recent article published by the Black Hills Pioneer, Jesse James Dupree, co-owner of the Full Throttle Saloon and Pappy Hoel Campground, pointed out the federal ruling from the 8th Circuit Court, which addressed the use of Rally trademarks. In that document, the court ruled the City of Sturgis’ involvement and authority over the Rally does not extend past providing municipal services.

In 2018, The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the US District Court ruled the rally is not organized by any single entity but is rather a pluralistic endeavor promoted by multiple organizations.

These court cases began as a trademark dispute between who owns the title “Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.” They additionally brought to light answers to the question of who is the official organizer of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

The court stated: “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.”

A blog article further explaining the implications of the court ruling and providing .pdf court documents can be found here: sturgis.com/blog/sturgis-rally-trademark-officially-struck-down.

“The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was started by a private business owner and private motorcycle club,” said Peterson. “That motorcycle club isn’t even inside Sturgis City limits. According to US Court of Appeals, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has been promoted by ‘hundreds of entities’ since.”

An entity cannot own something just because their officials say they do. This fact is made very clear when the appeals court went on to state, “…a trademark owner cannot establish that its mark is valid simply by getting its officials and agents to say that it is.”

If the City of Sturgis votes to not partake in the 80^th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, it does not mean there will not be a rally. It means the city will not issue vendor permits within city limits, rent out space, make Main Street motorcycles only or provide other municipal services.

 

Government Involvement

Because the City of Sturgis does not own the rally and the state has shown no inclination to tell people they cannot come, multiple venues, campgrounds and businesses are moving forward. These Black Hills venues and attractions will continue hosting the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2020 regardless of whether the City of Sturgis votes to promote the rally within the city limits.

“It’s what Governor Kristi Noem said early on: ‘The government’s role is not to run people’s lives, but to give them information by which they can make informed decisions,’ ” said Sturgis Buffalo Chip CEO and President Rod Woodruff. “Beyond that, it’s a personal responsibility. We have a very conscientious political structure here in South Dakota, and that’s because of the people we have here. They’re respectful of people’s civil rights and their right to freedom. We’re here every year to celebrate that freedom.”

When Governor Noem announced a July 3^rd fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, she was quoted as saying, “If you’re sick stay home. If you’re the vulnerable population and you’re worried about the virus, then you should stay home. People will have all the information they need to know exactly what it will look like at Mt. Rushmore so that they can make a decision for themselves if they would like to attend or not.”

The same attitude should prevail regarding the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Those who do not feel safe coming to the Sturgis Rally should not come.

 

 

Safety

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the lives of everyone, but much has been learned since the virus was first detected. The public now has access to information on how to best protect themselves and how to live with the virus. Social distancing, wearing a mask, sanitation practices and self-quarantining when symptomatic are all steps the public and businesses can take.

Safety is still on people’s minds, but many are starting to realize they can’t hide forever. Department of Health and CDC guidelines are keeping people more informed on how to stay safe while being able to live their lives, and many private businesses are doing their part to help their customers be better protected.

Many area businesses and campgrounds have already put in place new guidelines and safeguards to combat the potential spread of COVID-19. Measures at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip will include increasing sanitation practices, implementing social distancing measures, providing hand sanitizer throughout the campground and encouraging use of masks.

“Our 600 acres allow for people to spread out more than six feet if they want,” said Woodruff. “Folks can choose whether they want to go to shows or just go riding all day.”

 

 

2020 Will be a True Rider’s Rally

One of the major reasons people come to the Sturgis Rally any year is for the Black Hills’ incredible riding roads. Because riding a motorcycle is naturally a social distant activity, the 80^th is expected to be a true rider’s rally.

Many normal rally activities will be altered, and most area businesses are expecting a smaller than average crowd, but people are still planning to come. Area campgrounds have reported new reservations being made, and tourism is already picking up in South Dakota.

There has been a large social media movement of riders stating their intention to attend the 80^th Sturgis Rally no matter what the City of Sturgis decides. The idea behind this movement is that the Sturgis Rally is a “by bikers for bikers” event. The Sturgis Rally belongs to the people, and no government entity should control where, when or with whom they ride.

 

 

Businesses Hosting the 2020 Sturgis Rally

Instead of discouraging visitors from coming this August, Black Hills area hotels and campgrounds are planning to be open for riders planning to come no matter what.

Below is a sampling of many of the businesses that intend to be open to host the 2020 Sturgis Rally:

 

Sturgis:
Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Lamphere Campground

Glencoe Campground

Pappy Hoel Campground

Shade Valley Campground
Drag Pipe Saloon
Iron Horse Campground
Suzie’s Camp
Katmandu

Kickstands
No Name City
Bear Butte Creek Campground
BullDog Creek Campground
RushNoMore Campground
Sturgis View Campground

Spearfish:
Hampton Inn Spearfish
Holiday Inn Spearfish-Convention Center
Days Inn Spearfish
Best Western Black Hills Lodge
Travelodge Spearfish
Quality Inn
Fairfield Inn and Suites
Baymont Inn
Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Chris’ Camp

 

Keystone:
HolySmoke Resort
Powder House
Chalet Motel
Magnuson Grand Rushmore View Inn

Keystone Boardwalk Inn & Suites
Rushmore View RV Park
Super 8
American Pines Cabins
K bar S Lodge
Kemps Kamp
Baymont Inn & Suites
Under Canvas Mount Rushmore
Yak Ridge
Ramada Mt Rushmore
Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Spokane Creek Cabins & Campground
Quality Inn
Battle Creek Lodge
Hillside Country Cabins

 

Piedmont:
After the Ride Campground
Teachout’s Back 40
Bulldog Creek Campground

Custer:

All normal events open
Roost Resort
Beaver Lake
Calamity Peak Lodge

Hill City:

All Normal Events
Trailside Park
Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites
Black Hills Cabins, Quail’s Crossing

Rapid City:

All Normal Events Open
Black Hills Harley-Davidson

Lake Park Campground
The Rushmore Hotel

Deadwood:

All Normal Events Open
No known closures

Hot Springs:

All events open
No known closures

Nemo:
Black Hills Aspens – Open
Little Elk Cabin and Cottage – Open

Sundance:
Bear Lodge Mt Resort

No known closures

City of Hulett

Plan to be 100% open as normal.

City of Custer

Plan to be open as normal

City of Spearfish

No event closures

(senior citizen biker breakfast closed)

Hot Springs Chamber

No event closures

List courtesy of Randy Peterson, Sturgis.com

About Sturgis.com

Sturgis.com is the original website dedicated to promoting the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the largest motorcycle rally in the world. It is held annually in The Black Hills and in Sturgis, South Dakota for 10 days during the first week of August. It was started by local Indian dealer Pappy Hoel in 1938. Since its beginning, private area businesses throwing events such as races, concerts, and rides have made, and continue to make, the Sturgis Rally what it is today. 2020 will mark the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

 

 

For questions or more info contact

Cody Ertman

cody@sturgis.com