For nearly 30 years the Legendary Buffalo Chip has time and again proven itself as the epicenter of Sturgis Bike Week. This year with Rally Week celebrating its 70th Anniversary, the Chip has kicked it into high gear and is ready to knock the chaps off of the tens of thousands of bikers that will be making their yearly pilgrimage to the premier entertainment venue and motorcycle travel destination.
Providing visitors a barrage of world-class entertainment, art, vendors, food, amenities, charitable efforts and countless memories, the Legendary Buffalo Chip truly is the undisputed ultimate Sturgis experience. Here is a rundown of some of the events and entertainment that the Legendary Buffalo Chip has in store for Chipsters during Sturgis Rally Week 2010.
This year The Chip’s Sporting Complex will be the home to a variety of activities. Wednesday, August 11 and Thursday, August 12 the Chip will be hosting the North American Hillclimbers Association annual world championship-qualifying hill climbs. Truly taking it to the max, these Sturgis daredevils will be head to handlebars on a 300-foot course featuring impossible ledges and skill testing jumps during Round 4 of the RacerX/American Suzuki NAHA Pro Series.
The South Dakota Mud Racers will be holding their annual Buffalo Chip Mud Races on Sunday, August 8 and Monday, August 9. Mud Racing, which combines the adrenaline of drag racing with the brains and creativity of auto engineering, is a fan favorite. Tractors and trucks will compete for trophies and bragging rights during the races which are sure to be full of gear jamming, family-oriented, edge-of-your-seat fun.
Guns of Freedom will be held August 4th through the 14th. This display of exotic firearms gives adrenaline junkies the chance to feel the fire. Over 65 models of machine guns will be live and ready for you to pull the trigger. No one has experienced an adrenaline rush of this magnitude until you’ve fired off a few dozen rounds in a half second. Enjoy the rush of this hands-on experience every day throughout Sturgis Bike Week.
Tuesday, August 10 is the Demolition Derby. A fan favorite, watch as fun-loving automobile drivers create head-on collisions.
The Main Stage will host a number of premier musical acts during Rally Week this year. Dave Mason gets the ball rolling on Friday, August 6 followed by Tesla on Saturday, August 7. Creedence Clearwater Revisited joins legendary rockers, The Guess Who on Sunday, August 8. The impressive lineup continues on Monday, August 9 with Buckcherry and ZZ Top followed by Orianthi and Kid Rock on Tuesday, August 10. The entertainment continues with Disturbed and the Scopions on Friday, August 13. And finally Rally Week ends with a bang with Williams & Ree and the Doobie Brothers on Saturday, August 14. And you won’t want to miss Ross & Rotten, Buffalo Chip regulars performing throughout the week, August 6th through 14th.
An array of acts will also be performing at the Bikini Beach Stage, Hoyt Axton Blues Stage, Kinison Playground Stage and the Micro Brew Stage. These performances will include Charlie Brechtel, Dog Leg Preacher, Dwight York, Electric Rev (Jimmie Bratcher), Roxslyde, the Buffalo Chip Saloon Girls, Toby Roktot, and Tumbleweed Junction.
While enjoying the Chip’s selection of musical acts you may want to head to the Top Shelf Lounge. Boasting the best concert viewing to be had at the Legendary Buffalo Chip, the Top Shelf Lounge is 70 feet out from center front of the stage. Penthouse level views with a cash bar, occupancy is limited at the Top Shelf Lounge. Visitors will need a general admission pass to the campground in order to buy and enjoy this upgrade.
The Lichter Exhibition Hall will also host a variety of events. The Legends Ride Reception will be held Monday, August 9. A barrage of celebrities, world-class bike builders, cigar aficionados and over 500 riders will be making the stunning, 50-mile trek from historic Deadwood, SD to the Buffalo Chip’s Gardens for the Legends Ride reception. During the reception, guests will enjoy live and silent auctions as well as admission to Michael Lichter’s 2010 Exhibition entitled, "Eternal Combustion- 30 in the Wind".
The Pink & Proud Reception will be held Friday, August 13. The 50 mile ride starts with an opening celebration complete with mini-sessions, exhibits, seminars and entertainment. The day continues with a beautiful escorted ride through two canyons ending with the final Pink Parade through the gates of the Legendary Buffalo Chip. The perfect close to the perfect event, the exclusive ride reception at the Buffalo Chip Gardens will include hors’dorves, the Pink Fashion show, live auction, entertainment, drinks and a finale like no other charity ride can offer.
Michael Lichter’s 10th Annual Motorcycles as Art exhibit will take place August 7th through the 13th. This year’s exhibit entitled, "Eternal Combustion- 30 in the Wind", will focus on the explosion of interest and passion for custom motorcycles. The exhibit will feature the works of 15 pairs of custom builders and the renowned photographer’s own photography and limited edition prints. Free access and admission will be granted to the general public.
The Motorcycle Industry Reception will be held Tuesday, August 10. This invitation-only reception is attended by more than 600 influencers of the motorcycle industry. Attendees will include media representatives, representing radio, magazines and the internet.
Other activities that you won’t want to miss include the Reptile Gardens on Monday, August 9; the daily Guitar Hero contest August 6th through August 14th; and the Buffalo Chip’s military tribute which will include the traveling Vietnam Wall and Golden Dog Tags Exhibit honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom. The exhibit will be held for ten days with an awards ceremony on Wednesday, August 11.
The Chip has also recently announced a quirky addition to their 2010 Sturgis Rally lineup in the form of eccentric man-child and American icon, Pee-wee Herman. The Chip is thrilled to have Pee-wee help kick off this year’s 70th Annual Sturgis Rally Week 2010. To celebrate Pee-wee’s visit to the Legendary Buffalo Chip they have planned a number of entertaining events including a "Waiting for Pee-wee Party" as well as open auditions for guests to appear in a scene with the legendary character. Pee-wee will also be participating in judging the Ms. Buffalo Chip Pageant, leading the 2010 Legends Ride, as well as a Pee-wee parade through The Chip’s premises.
The Buffalo Chip Burnout Drags Competition will be held Friday, August 13 and helicopter rides will also be available August 6th through the 14th. You also won’t want to miss the Illumination Fire Troupe, the World Pickle Lickin’ Federation’s World Championship Pickle Lickin’ Contest, the Sucker Punch Sally Bike Give-a-way, and Pitchfork Fondue. This event is a must and includes cowboy chefs from the area preparing steaks, poking them on the end of pitchforks then searing them in a custom-made tank full of specially blended savory oils- an unbelievable western delight.
Other notable events include the Abate Rodeo August 7th through the 14th. On tap this year are events for individual participants such as the always entertaining Keg Push, Plank Race, Slalom, and Slow Race. This year’s rodeo will also have events for women riders and also team events including the Weenie Bite, Joust and safer-than-it-sounds Drive by Shooting event.
The 2K10 Challenge will be held on Monday, August 9th. This year the Buffalo Chip teamed world class custom bike builder Michael Prugh along with the professional staff and state of the art equipment at Western Dakota Tech, to teach students the art, craft and science of building a custom motorcycle. Parts were contributed by a number of Legends Ride sponsors, including Interstate Batteries, Jaybrake, Performance Machine, Custom Chrome, Akzo/Nobel Lesonal, Hot Leathers and Black Hills Harley-Davidson.
You won’t want to miss the Miss Buffalo Chip Pageant taking place between August 6th and August 14th. The girls will be modeling biker attire, lingerie and swimsuits. In addition, the Miss Buffalo Chip Pageant recently gained international attention when then Republican Presidential Candidate joked from the Buffalo Chip stage that he had encouraged his wife Cindy to enter so that she could be the only woman to be both the First Lady and Miss Buffalo Chip!
The Buffalo Chip Elite Dinner will be Tuesday, August 10. Enjoy this one-night-only special event where you will have the opportunity to sit back, relax and dine by candlelight while enjoying the most flavorful and tender steak available paired with four wine favorites. And don’t worry sommelier experience and formal attire not required.
The Chip is Sturgis and there really is no reason to go anywhere else. Visit www.buffalochip.com now and make your reservations for Sturgis Bike Week 2010 and enjoy this entertaining selection of events at the Best Party Anywhere!
