THANKS AGAIN, LAST YEAR'S SPONSORS:
TOP SPONSOR:
Pioneer Bank & Trust
SECOND TIER SPONSOR:
First Interstate Bank
THIRD TIER SPONSORS:
Agnico Eagle USA
Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Edward Jones - Bruce Gordon
Key City Chiropractic & Acupuncture
Scooptown Car Wash
About
The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau’s FIFTH annual Sturgis Art Festival will take place on June 7th, 2025! Each year we team up with various arts-related organizations in Sturgis to highlight the wonderful fine arts community in the area through this new event. Our first year in 2021 welcomed 37 booths, and our second year in 2022 welcomed 55 booths (a 49% increase in just one year!) and our next two years continued to be even bigger yet! We can't wait to continue into year five!
The Sturgis Art Festival takes place on the first Saturday in June annually from 10 AM to 6 PM and includes a variety of art and craft vendors selling and showing their work alongside food and drink vendors in downtown Sturgis. This venue is in the heart of our beautiful small town with a variety of year-round shops and eateries surrounding the festival booths for your browsing enjoyment. Non- art-related businesses are also welcome to participate in the event as sponsors, booths, or activity hosts! Any business can opt to include an art-themed project or team up with an artist to have a booth in keeping with the mission of the festival while promoting their business.
Special 2025 Inclusions:
As part of our long-term plan to continue building and expanding the festival, we are pleased to bring back the following special inclusions:
- Sturgis ArtWalk & Sculpture Unveiling is BACK!
We hope you will join us in our enthusiasm to welcome the Downtown Sturgis Foundation to the festival this year for a special Sculpture Unveiling of five new downtown sculptures! This will take place the morning of the festival on June 7th and will include the unveilings and a short art walk for attendees.
- Legendary Sturgis Battle of the Bands RETURNS!
The Legendary Sturgis Battle of the Bands continues to be a smash-hit as it continues into its third year. This competition will be widely advertised throughout the region and will start in the afternoon on the main stage. We try hard to schedule performances with our vendors in mind, ensuring that the acts are appropriate for the festival environment. This inclusion helps boost end-of-day sales and bring in another demographic. You can learn more about this part of the festival here.
The Sturgis Art Festival aims to promote crafts and fine arts in the Sturgis area through art sales, exhibits, auctions, activities, and performances. If you are interested in supporting this growing event by becoming a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer, please contact the Chamber office! If your organization or club would like to participate in some way or add an activity component to the festival, please contact us anytime.
Driving Directions
From I-90, take Exit 32 into Sturgis. Follow Junction Avenue north for about 1.3 miles (or about 10 blocks past the hospital). Turn left onto Main Street. In two blocks, the festival is located in the barricaded portions of Harley-Davidson Way and Main Street. Free parking is available on Main Street and surrounding streets.
June 7th 2025 Tentative Event Schedule
- 7AM: Vendor Setup Begins
- 10AM: Booths Open to the Public
- 11AM: Sturgis ArtWalk Sculpture Unveiling (Meet at Main Stage)
- 1PM: Battle of the Bands Begins
- 6PM: Art Festival Ends - Booths Begin Teardown
- 6PM: Battle of the Bands Ends
- 7PM: Battle of the Bands Awards
Booth Registration
Call for Sponsors!
The Sturgis Art Festival would not be possible without our sponsors - a collection of highly generous, involved organizations in our beautiful community. Thanks again to last year's excellent sponsors! Please contact Kadence to inquire about 2024 sponsorship.
THANK YOU, 2024 SPONSORS:
TOP SPONSOR:
Pioneer Bank & Trust
SECOND TIER SPONSOR:
First Interstate Bank
THIRD TIER SPONSORS:
Agnico Eagle USA
Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Edward Jones - Bruce Gordon
Key City Chiropractic & Acupuncture
Scooptown Car Wash
2025 Vendor FAQ's:
Q: When will vendor booth registration be available?
A: Forms for the 2025 festival are now available! Please contact Events@SturgisAreaChamber.com to learn more and register!
Q: What's the deal with booth insurance? Do I really need to have a certificate showing proof of insurance for a one-day event?
A: YES, a certificate is required! A certificate protects you from liability in the case of an accident within your booth area, and it can also protect you in cases of theft or damaged goods. There are very low-cost, one-time insurance certificates available if you don't already have insurance. Check with our local insurance providers, or take a look at actinsurance.com for festival options under $50! Some homeowners policies also allow for booth insurance to be added to the policy at little or no charge - check with your provider to inquire.
Q: My art/craft business is not officially registered and does not have a Sales Tax ID. Can I still participate and sell my products?
A: Yes! We will provide you with a special, one-time form to record your sales and tax collected. You simply send the tax and the completed form to the Department of Revenue independently.
Q: What and when is the Battle of the Bands?
A: The Legendary Sturgis Battle of the Bands will happen during the Sturgis Art Festival on the Main Stage from about 1PM to 6PM! This event has numerous bands from across the U.S. battling it out for amazing prizes. This third-year event helps to increase attendance and diversify the demographics of the event, bringing a stronger crowd later in the day for our vendor booths! It also helps underline our event mission, supporting ALL of the arts! You can learn more about this part of the festival here.
Q: Can I raffle off a prize or piece of artwork at my booth?
A: Yes! Make sure you submit a raffle application to the City of Sturgis to be in compliance with our local raffle ordinance. You can contact City Hall at (605) 347-4422 and speak to the Finance Office. The recommended application submission date is no later than Wednesday, April 30th to ensure plenty of processing time with the City of Sturgis and the SD Secretary of State office.
Q: How should I set up my booth?
A: We have a few requirements for booth setup. First, your booth space will be 10' x 10'. Please make sure your displays and tables fit within this area, unless you purchase extra space. Second, all vendors must have a booth tent to help protect yourself and your wares from the elements. The tent also lends to a festival-like atmosphere! These are available at most general goods stores, including our local ACE Hardware. For further details, please review the requirements on the Vendor Registration Form (stop by or contact us for a copy).
Q: I'm interested in having a booth, but I'm not an artist. Can I still participate?
A: Yes! You can have a booth, but you must find a way to incorporate an art or craft component. We recommend teaming up with an artist and displaying their work at your booth, hosting an art or craft competition, or providing supplies and work space for a small art project! Simply note how you will incorporate the festival theme at your booth on the registration form for committee review and approval.
View Last Year's Facebook Event Page
