About
The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau’s FOURTH annual Sturgis Art Festival will take place on June 1st, 2024! 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 third year was even bigger yet! We can't wait to continue into year four!
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 2024 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 1st 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 was a smash-hit success its first year in 2023, and we are thrilled to bring it back even bigger and better in 2024! 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.
2024 Event Schedule
- 7AM: Vendor Setup Begins
- 10AM: Booths Open to the Public
- 11AM: Sturgis ArtWalk Sculpture Unveiling
- 2PM: Battle of the Bands Begins
- 6PM: Art Festival Ends - Booths Begin Teardown
- 8PM: Battle of the Bands Ends
- TBA: Battle of the Bands After-Party & Awards
Booth Registration
- Register In-Person:
Stop by our office at 2040 Junction Avenue in Sturgis to pick up and submit an application (coming soon!) *with* your booth insurance certificate and booth fee payment.
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- Register Online:
Register online using our Google Form (coming soon!). Please attach a copy of your booth insurance certificate to the Google Form when prompted. Please call our office at (605) 347-2556 to pay the booth fee by card over the phone, or mail/deliver payment separately to 2040 Junction Avenue, Sturgis, SD 57785.
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- Register by Email:
Download, complete, and email our downloadable PDF form (coming soon!) *with* a copy of your booth insurance certificate (see form for details) to Events@SturgisAreaChamber.com. Please call our office to pay the booth fee by card over the phone at (605) 347-2556, or mail/deliver payment separately to 2040 Junction Avenue, Sturgis, SD 57785.
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- Register by Mail:
Pick up a registration form at our office (coming soon!) or download and print the PDF form (also coming soon!). Mail completed form WITH payment and a copy of your booth insurance certificate to the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, 2040 Junction Avenue, Sturgis, SD 57785.
Vendor Forms
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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.
Thanks again, 2023 sponsors:
TOP SPONSORS:
Black Hills Energy
City of Sturgis
Pain & Movement Solutions
Emma's Ice Cream Emporium
Pioneer Bank & Trust
SECOND TIER SPONSORS:
Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Agnico Eagle
Scooptown Car Wash
THIRD TIER SPONSORS:
Edward Jones-Bruce Gordon
First Interstate Bank
2024 Vendor FAQ's:
Q: When will vendor booth registration be available?
A: Forms for the 2024 festival are now available! Please see information and links above.
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 2PM to 8PM! This event has numerous bands from across the U.S. battling it out for amazing prizes. This second-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, May 8th 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 (coming soon!).
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.
