About
The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau’s third annual Sturgis Art Festival will take place on June 3, 2023! 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!). We can't wait to continue into year three!
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.
This festival also takes place the day directly following our new Sturgis ARTWALK sculpture unveilings by the Downtown Sturgis Foundation! The 2023 unveilings will take place the evening of Friday, June 2nd with a celebration at Harley-Davidson Rally Point. Contact the Downtown Sturgis Foundation for details on the 2023 event and sculptures. The Chamber of Commerce hosts a booth at the festival on Saturday with maps of the Sturgis ARTWALK available, including these new sculptures each year.
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 new 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.
2022 Event Schedule
Our 2023 event schedule is coming soon! Here are the performances we welcomed in 2022:
- 7AM - 10AM: Vendor Booth Set-up
- 10AM: Festival Start
- 10AM - 6PM: Booths Open to the Public
- 10AM - 12PM: Live Music by Honker Robinson
- 12PM - 12:15PM: Live Performance by Sturgis & Stagebarn Middle School Show Choir
- 12:30PM - 1:45PM: Live Music by Emily Young
- 2PM - 3PM: Dakota Daughters Live Performance (sponsored by Sturgis Public Library)
- 3PM - 4PM: Intermission
- 4PM - 6PM: Live Music by Lindsey Isaacson
- 6PM: Festival End
- 6PM - 8PM: Booth Tear-down & Clean-up
Booth Registration
Thank You, Sponsors!
The Sturgis Art Festival would not be possible without each of these highly generous, involved organizations in our beautiful community. Please support these businesses and thank them for everything they do!
Thank you, 2022 sponsors:
- Pioneer Bank & Trust
- Agnico Eagle USA Limited
- Edward Jones - Bruce Gordon
- Scooptown Carwash
- Black Hills Federal Credit Union
2023 Vendor FAQ's:
Q: When are vendor booth registration forms due?
A: Forms are due no later than 5pm on Friday, May 26th 2023!
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: 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, May 10th to be included on the last available Council agenda.
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.
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.
