And now for something completely different. With Sturgis just around the bend, this month’s calendar section is a breakdown of some of the more notable events during the week in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We’re not going to list all of the ongoing mayhem that occurs every day during the week, but here are some of the limited run or one-shot events you won’t want to miss.
August 6
Pop Evil; Alice Cooper Concerts
Buffalo Chip Campground, Sturgis, SD
The Buffalo Chip’s famous concert series kicks off at 8:30 p.m. with Pop Evil, live on stage. At 10:30, Alice Cooper takes the spotlight until midnight. For more information, visit buffalochip.com
Prostate Cancer Awareness Poker Run
Lead, SD
This run starts at the Golden Hills Resort. It’s put on by Bikers Against Prostate Cancer and features live entertainment. For more information, visit bikersagainstprostatecancer.com
Salute to Veterans
Sturgis, SD
Pay tribute to veterans while enjoying a ride through Spearfish Canyon and back to Sturgis. There’ll be guest speakers and activities after the ride. Proceeds benefit homeless United States veterans. For more information, visit standupandstandproud.org
August 7
Bachman and Turner; Styx Concerts
Buffalo Chip Campground, Sturgis, SD
Buffalo Chip campers are among those who have created the fan demand that has brought Randy Bachman and Fred Turner back together for the first time in more than 20 years. They take the stage at 8:30 p.m. At 10:30 p.m., Styx tags in to rock the stage until midnight. For more information, visit buffalochip.com
Michael Lichter and Sugar Bear Ride
The Broken Spoke Campground-County Line,
Sturgis, SD
This 25-mile ride ends at a real working ranch. Once there, the ranch owners will treat participants to a grilled-up lunch and ice-cold beverages. There’ll be bikes and horses raced around barrels and tons more. You never know, maybe you’ll see Sugar Bear lasso a cow. For more information, visit brokenspokecampground.com
The Little River Band Concert
The Broken Spoke Campground,
Sturgis, SD
The group takes the stage at 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit brokenspokecampground.com
Sturgis Rally Motocross Races
Sturgis, SD
If you’re looking for a break from Main Street, check out this racing action put together by the Jackpine Gypsies M/C. For more information, visit jackpinegypsies.com
August 7-9
AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building
Sturgis, SD
Sturgis Harley-Davidson plays host to this yearly competition starting at 9 a.m. Builders from all over will duke it out with some of the most ambitious pieces of rolling art in the world in a variety of categories. For more information, visit amdchampionship.com
August 8
Kids & Chrome
Buffalo Chip, Sturgis, SD
If you are looking for a great way to start your rally week, look no further. The Kids & Chrome Foundation will offer you the best chance to kick off the week. It’s Kids & Chrome Sturgis Adventure with a “special guest”. You can join the “Buffalo Chip’s special guest” in supporting a local children’s’ Black Hills charity (that’s the Kids) and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame (that’s the Chrome) at the Gardens outside the Chip Events Center. Easy parking will be available. For a $125 donation, you will be included in an exclusive meet-and-greet reception where you’ll have an opportunity to have your photo taken with the Buffalo Chip’s special guest. Also included is a silent and live auction, a chance to visit this year’s brand new Michael Lichter Exhibit and for those who contribute $150, it includes a ticket to the evening’s concert at the Buffalo Chip. For more information, visit buffalochip.com
Gregg Allman; Def Leppard Concerts
Buffalo Chip Campground,
Sturgis, SD
You can’t get a much stranger combo of acts than this. For more information, visit buffalochip.com.
August 8-10; August 12
Jackpine Gypsies Racing
Sturgis, SD
The yearly thrills and spills of the Sturgis hillclimbs start at 10 a.m. At 7 p.m., the action switches over to flat-tracking. Other types of racing include flat-track, short track, TT, pro hillclimb, and half mile. For more information, visit jackpinegypsies.com
August 9
Poison; Toby Keith Concerts
Buffalo Chip Campground,
Sturgis, SD
I was wrong. You can get an odder playbill than Gregg Allman and Def Leppard. Poison rocks out at 8:30 p.m., followed by country star Toby Keith at 10:30. For more information, visit buffalochip.com.
Ted Nugent Concert
Full Throttle Saloon, Sturgis, SD
Full Throttle Saloon hosts rocker Ted Nugent at 6 p.m.-ish. No guarantee he’ll bring his guns. For more information, visit fullthrottlesaloon.com
Foghat Concert
The Broken Spoke Campground, SD
If you’ve ever been to Main Street at the height of the rally, you know what “Slow Ride” really means. Foghat will play it and other hits at The Spoke’s campground starting at 9 p.m. on the main stage. For more information, visit brokenspokecampground.com.
August 10
Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast
Rapid City, SD
The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast takes place at 9:00 a.m. at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City. Breakfast tickets are available for a $35 donation; tables of eight for $300. Tickets can be purchased by phone or online. For more information, visit sturgismuseum.com.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Concert
Buffalo Chip Campground, Sturgis, SD
No opening band has been announced for August 10th, but Skynyrd goes live from 10:30 pm to midnight. For more information, visit buffalochip.com.
August 10-11
AHDRA Race at the Rally
Glencoe Campground, Sturgis, SD
This two-day event kicks off at the Sturgis Dragway off of Highway 79. Camping is available at the track and HOG members get a discount on tickets. For more information, visit ahdra.com.
August 11
The Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show
Buffalo Chip Campground, Sturgis, SD
If you don’t know what this custom bike show is, you better ask somebody. At 23 years of age, it’s one of the longest running custom bike competitions on the rally circuit. This year it returns to the Chip with 20 categories in which to enter and win. For more information, visit buffalochip.com or ratshole.com.
Jeff Bridges and Friends Concert
Buffalo Chip Campground, Sturgis, SD
Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges and his band will perform songs from Crazy Heart and more, as well as host special guests from the world of music and film at the Buffalo Chip. For more information, visit buffalochip.com.
Jasmine Cain Concert
The Broken Spoke Campground, Sturgis, SD
Fire-haired singer Jasmine Cain rocks the main stage at the Spoke campground starting at 9 p.m. For more information, visit brokenspokecampground.com.
Interior VFD Annual Hog Roast and Dance
Interior, SD
Any excuse for roast pig is a good excuse. Some are just better than others. The reason for this one: benefiting the Interior VFD building fund. The meal starts at 10 a.m. and includes roasted hog, baked beans, salads, and much more. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to be served. Later, dance to music by the Wilt Brothers starting at 8 p.m. There will be merchandise for sale as well as a raffle for two rifles and a 1971 Ford 3/4-ton pickup. For more information, contact interiorvfd@live.com.
August 12
Marshal Tucker Band Concert
Full Throttle Saloon, Sturgis, SD
This group takes the Full Throttle Saloon stage at 6 p.m. For more information, visit fullthrottlesaloon.com
August 13
Leon Russell; George Thorogood Live Concert
Buffalo Chip Campground, Sturgis, SD
This 1-2 combination of rock ‘n’ roll punches closes out the Buffalo Chip’s concert series for 2011. For more information, visit buffalochip.com
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