Sturgis City Council allowing open containers in the city's commercial zone during 81st rally
Joe Sneve
Carrying an open beer down the sidewalk during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally used to come with a fine or a court date.
Now, for the first time in the 81 years of the Black Hills bike festival that brings thousands to western South Dakota each August, attendees visiting downtown Sturgis won't have to finish their beverages before continuing their strolls.
The Sturgis City Council earlier this year signed off on a temporary open container ordinance to allow certain alcoholic beverages to be consumed and carried in the city's commercial district during the 10-day motorcycle rally.
"Our hope is this will bring people outside onto the streets rather than crowding people in the bars," said Jerry Cole, director of rally and events for the city of Sturgis. "It will hopefully get people out of the bar and walking along the streets to shops."
South Dakota statute bars the consumption of alcohol in public, but provides exceptions for special events, to be permitted by municipalities. Cole said Sturgis has allowed open containers in a small area of its downtown each Wednesday evening for the last couple of years for its weekly "Music on Main" event.
That experience and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic make the timing right to expand that permitted open container zone to the 10-day long event. The permitted open container zone generally is bordered by Dudley Street to the north, Sherman Street to the south, Seventh Street to the west and Middle Street to the east.
But being inside of that area isn't enough to get the all-clear to stroll with a beer in hand. Cole said all open alcoholic beverages being carried along sidewalks or streets will need to be in a commemorative cup, which will be available for purchase at dozens of locations throughout the city.
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They're $10 each and proceeds go to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally charities nonprofit, which makes donations to various Black Hills areas charitable organizations. And commemorative cup or not, hard liquor will continue be prohibited on public sidewalks and streets within the city of Sturgis.
"Liquor has got to stay in the bars, and everybody will have to have a wrist band on," Cole said.
The 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally formally kicks off Friday, and runs through Aug. 15.
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