The grand reopening
Sturgis, S.D., Aug. 9—The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame has a plan. A grand plan, to be sure, and this year, the first phase has come to fruition. Those of you that have visited the Museum in downtown Sturgis know that exhibit space has been limited, in fact, bursting at the seams. With the new 2,500-square-foot addition, the Museum can now accommodate more motorcycles and memorabilia for your viewing—and educational—pleasure.
The expansion had been completed in time for the 78th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and since the Museum helped THUNDER PRESS celebrate its 25th anniversary of publication by hosting a party during last year’s rally, we thought it was a great idea to help the Museum celebrate its grand reopening this year!
Once again, the Mushroom Council served as our food sponsor, supplying delectable blended mushroom and beef burgers with all the fixin’s. And this year, we welcomed a new drink sponsor, Bärenjäger, who served up their smooth-as-silk Bärenjäger Honey & Bourbon. They also gave away branded bracelets and sunglasses as well as discount coupons.
Some of our industry friends, including Big Bike CruzTOOLS, Hair Glove, JIMS, Kuryakyn, Law Tigers, Lyndall Brakes, Marlin Clocks, Slipstreamer, Star brite, and Stop & Go donated a number of extremely valuable prizes. Adding to these gifts, THUNDER PRESS donated T-shirts, magazine subscriptions, and several books.
The gifts, with a total value of about $3,000, were organized into six baskets that were given away throughout the evening. Congratulations to Thorsten Beck, Dawn Barclay, Grant Bourne, Art Olvera, Carolyn Tomas and the sixth winner who escaped before we could get her name and contact info! (If you’re the unknown winner, or you know who is, please contact tpress@thunderpress.net.)
Several special guests were in attendance, such as THUNDER PRESS columnist Grant Bourne who pens Ride Out of the Darkness each month, and Gloria Tramontin Struck who sold and autographed copies of her book Gloria, A Lifetime Motorcyclist: 75 Years on Two Wheels and Still Riding.
The venue itself, however, was the real star, with rare antiques, memorabilia, photographs and other fascinating historical items on display. And the Museum is planning further expansion by opening a new campus in time for the 100th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2020. The new facility will be located just off I-90 Exit 32 in Sturgis, and will house the Hall of Fame exhibit, permanent and featured collection displays, a café, meeting rooms, gift shop, and restoration and training areas.
Thanks to our host the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, our generous sponsors, special guests, staff and attendees for another great party. We’ll see you again next year!
