Inaugural 'Outdoor Rendezvous' kicks off Sturgis pre-rally events at the Buffalo Chip

Sturgis, South Dakota–The Sturgis Buffalo Chip extends its event offerings during the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to include the inaugural Outdoor Rendezvous Friday, August 2, through Sunday, August 4. This three-day outdoor expo features shooting sports events, a variety of specialty vendors and both a buffalo chili cookoff and beef barbeque cookoff. The events takes place on the East end of the Sturgis campground near the Russ Brown Event Center and is free to the public.
The Chipster Thundering Buffalo Chili CookOff takes place Saturday, August 3, and features some of the area’s best chili recipes prepared with local buffalo meat donated by the Western Buffalo Company.  Attendees may sample as many of the contestants’ chili recipes as they would like for $5 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and then vote for their favorites. After votes are tallied, prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place, as well as best decorated booth. Proceeds benefit the Meals on Wheels program of Western Dakota Senior Services.
Opportunities for top-notch eats continue the next day on Sunday with a Barbecue Beef Competition. Area pitmasters fire up the grills at 10:00 a.m. to prepare a variety of barbecue recipes including creations prepared with meat from the South Dakota Beef Industry Council. Sampling is free and takes place from 12:00-4:00 p.m.
The Buffalo Chip will continue to accept applications for both the chili cook-off and barbecue competition until the allotted slots are filled. For more information on entering these competitions, visit www.BuffaloChip.com.
Those attending the Outdoor Rendezvous have the special opportunity to meet record-holding drag racer Andie Gaskins, as well as Xtreme Sport Shooter Patrick Flanigan. And on Sunday, August 4, at 7:00 p.m., guests have the privilege of seeing eight-time world record holder Flanigan’s spectacular shooting exhibition where he’ll attempt yet another world record to add to his collection.
“We feel extremely honored to have Patrick Flanigan’s shooting exhibition serve as the grand finale for the Outdoor Rendezvous,” says Rod Woodruff, president of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. “It’s something you’ve really got to see to believe. This is the kind of showmanship you see in TV and movies. But I assure you, there will be no special effects with this performance. It’s all Flanigan!”
The Outdoor Rendezvous features a variety of vendors to complement the weekend’s events. Attendees will find vendors selling South Dakota-made products, mouthwatering barbecue, wood and antler carvings, artisan jewelry, custom signs, turkey calls, custom-made knives, firearm accessories and much more. Firearm manufactures and venders will offer opportunities for visitors to view and safely test-fire new models including AR-15 Bushmaster-style models.
In addition to the Outdoor Rendezvous, the Sturgis campground offers a variety of events during the weekend as part of their nine-day Motorcycle and Music Festival. This includes the Guns of Freedom shooting event and the Motorcycles As Art exhibit, not to mention performances from bands including Queensrÿche, The Cult, ZZ Top, Halestorm, Buckcherry and Pop Evil.
Concerts are free with camping, and passes also grant guests access to the Bikini Beach swim paradise, 25 bars, thrilling exhibits and outrageous events. The 32^nd annual Sturgis Buffalo Chip Motorcycle and Music Festival runs July 29, through August 11, 2013. Campground admission passes may be purchased for the entire festival or any portion thereof by visiting www.BuffaloChip.com or by calling (605) 347-9000.