Custer Cruisin’ starts Friday

Get those prescriptions filled early, fill those gas tanks and get ready to hear visitors rev those engines—the 85th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is upon us.

The rally officially begins Friday and runs through Aug. 10. When motorcycle enthusiasts arrive, the town of Custer will be ready for them with special Custer Cruisin’ events planned, bike-themed street vendors and of course restaurants and hotels ready to feed and board the riders.

As usual, a half block of 6th St. will be blocked off for vendor booths from Mt. Rushmore Rd. south. The street will be closed Wednesday to allow time for the vendors to set up their booths. The booths will close down Aug. 11.

Among the vendors on hand this year will be Buckskin to Buffalo, a booth that offers items made from all kinds of hides, such as boots and dreamcatchers.

Mountainview Baptist Church will be on hand once again giving away free water and lemonade, gospel tracts and posting its large map on which visitors can place pins locating their hometowns.

Moto Shows will once again be in Custer selling its biker apparel of all kinds.

New this year is Black Hills Harley Davidson, which will have a variety of items available for purchase, and LeafFilter rounds out the vendors. LeafFilter offers gutter guards to help prevent clogging.

On Tuesday, Aug. 5, Mayor Bob Brown will preside over the 27th annual Mayor’s Ride Poker Run. Registration will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Co. and riders will meet at the Veterans Memorial on Washington Street.

This year riders will take Hwy. 16/385 to Hill City before jumping on Old Hill City Rd. in Hill City and taking it to Keystone. Participants will then head to Playhouse Road before heading to Iron Mountain Road to the east entrance of Custer State Park. From there riders will return to Custer. 

Along the way participants will draw cards for the poker portion of the ride. The final draw and end of route will be Mt. Rushmore Brewing Co. for dinner.

There, cash prizes will be awarded for the highest, second-highest and lowest hands. The cost of registration is $40 for each driver and $30 for each passenger. 

The first 40 participants will receive Custer Cash and a T-shirt. New this year, cars are invited to participate and go on the drive with the bikes.

For more information contact Custer City Hall at 605-673-4824.