First Sturgis Motorcycle Rally open container event to benefit area charities

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Open containers during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally have been a major point of contention between law enforcement and Rally-goers.

It’s one of the biggest events in the Black Hills, but this year, it’s got something else on tap.

It’s the first year the city will allow open containers throughout the event, starting Friday, August 6.

However, according to the ordinance, the mayor or the police chief of Sturgis can take away if deemed necessary.

“If there happens to be problems arising from it, since this is our first time, we don’t know what’ll happen for sure but we don’t expect problems, but they do have the authority to shut down the open container allowance,” said Christina Steele, the Public Information Officer with the City of Sturgis.

After your ID is checked, you will have to buy a special event cup that costs $10 and also receive a wristband as proof.

Only beer or wine are allowed in the containers and you must stay inside the boundary, which will be displayed on maps all along the downtown area where the cups will be sold.

The open container time limit runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day during the Rally.

“You can take your cup into a bar, you purchase a beer or wine based item and then you can pour it into your cup,” Steele said. “You can then take your cup outside, you can walk around main street, anywhere within the preset boundary.”

Proceeds from the cup sales will go towards the Sturgis Rally Charity Foundation.

“They’re kind of a centralized location that is able to help many of the other charities within the area, but this money will help them a lot because it’ll raise funds for them that they can use and give to different charities throughout the community,” Steele said.

An ordinance allowing Rally-goers a little more freedom while finding a way to give back.