View the 2023 Facebook Event Page
Online Booth Registration Form
Downloadable Booth Registration Form
Learn More: Sturgis Battle of the Bands
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.
New Inclusions
- Downtown Sturgis Foundation's Sculpture Unveilings & ArtWalk
This festival will welcome five brand new downtown sculptures in the rotating Sturgis ArtWalk! Meet at the festival Info Booth at 11am to participate in the ArtWalk and sculpture unveilings. Attendees will receive walking tour maps of all Sturgis sculptures (totaling 30!) and will be led on a group walk to the five new sculptures downtown to hear about each new piece and witness the official unveilings. Contact the Downtown Sturgis Foundation for details on the 2023 sculptures. Sturgis ArtWalk maps will be available at the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce's Info Booth downtown all day.
- Legendary Sturgis Battle of the Bands
2023 marks the first year of the Legendary Sturgis Battle of the Bands, happening during the Sturgis Art Festival on the Main Stage from 1PM to 8PM! This new inclusion has already filled a full roster of 12 exceptional bands from as far away as Tennessee battling for major prizes. The competition will increase attendance and diversify the demographics of the event, bringing a stronger crowd later in the day for our vendor booths! 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.
2023 Tentative Event Schedule
Our 2023 event schedule is here! Here are the performances and activities you can expect:
- 6AM: Street Closed to Traffic
- 7AM - 10AM: Vendor Check-In & Booth Set-Up
- 10AM:
- 10AM - 6PM Art Festival Booths Open to the Public
- 10AM - 12PM: Kids' Chalk Contest (Check-in & pick up supplies at Info Booth 10AM)
- 11AM: Downtown Foundation 2023 Sculpture Unveiling Ceremony & ArtWalk (meet at festival Info Booth)
- 11:30AM: Kids' Choir Performance (tentative) on Main Stage
- 12PM: Chalk Contest Closes & Judging Begins
- 12:30PM - Chalk Contest Winners Announced on Main Stage
- 1PM - 7PM (approx): Sturgis Battle of the Bands
- 6PM: Art Festival Booths Close - Booth Tear-Down & Clean-Up Begins
- 7PM: Sturgis Battle of the Bands Competition Ends
- 7:30PM: Sturgis Battle of the Bands Winners Announced
- 8PM: Final Clean-Up & Festival Closed
- 9PM: Street Opens to Traffic
Booth Registration
- Register In-Person:
Stop by our office at 2040 Junction Avenue in Sturgis to pick up and submit an application *with* your booth insurance certificate and booth fee payment.
- or -
- Register Online:
Register online using the "Online Google Form" link below. 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.
- or -
- Register by Email:
Download, complete, and email the form from the "Downloadable PDF Form" link below *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.
- or -
- Register by Mail:
Pick up a registration form at our office or download and print from the link below. 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.
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, 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
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: 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 8PM! This event has 12 bands from as far away as Tennessee battling for major prizes. This new addition will increase attendance and diversify the demographics of the event, bringing a stronger crowd later in the day for our vendor booths! 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 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.
View the 2023 Facebook Event Page
Online Booth Registration Form
Downloadable Booth Registration Form
Learn More: Sturgis Battle of the Bands
