Opening Ceremonies

The Opening Ceremony parade will start at 3pm on Friday, August 4, 2023. To join everyone watching the parade which will include Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen, Grand Marshall Laura Klock and other sponsors and dignitaries as well as an awe-inspiring flag procession, please be on Main Street from 4^th Street to Middle Street.

The festivities will begin at Harley-Davidson Rally Point immediately after the parade down Main Street which begins at 3pm. Local cowgirl and rodeo winner Taya Ward will sing the National Anthem. Mayor Mark Carstensen and Grand Marshall Laura Klock, as well as several City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally sponsors, will welcome rally attendees. Come meet 2020-2021 Miss Rodeo SD Martina Loobey, a local young lady who will be here to sign autographs and visit with everyone about rodeo. A Blessing of the Bikes will take place before our performer Loop Rawlins. Loop will perform feats of trick roping, whip cracking and fancy gun spinning. He has won five International Wild West Arts Awards (all by the age of 16) and has continued to grow in his craft. He has been featured in Cirque Du Soleil’s show in Las Vegas for three years and appeared on the television show ‘America’s Got Talent”. Loop keeps the spirit of the West alive performing across the world.
Click on this link to see Loop perform

Schedule:
2:30 Parade line-up across from 1901 Ball Park Rd
3:00 Parade starts
3:30 (approximately) Opening speeches at Harley-Davidson Rally Point followed by Loop Rawlins
***** Live bands will be playing all day at Harley-Davidson Rally Point