Custer Cruisin’ starts Friday

Thousands of two-wheelers are making their way toward the Black Hills today in advance of the 83rd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally which starts on Friday and runs through Aug. 13. When they 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 Street will be blocked off for vendor booths from Mt. Rushmore Road south. City building technician Kim Conwell said the street will be closed a day early this year (on Wednesday) to allow time for the vendors to set up their booths. The vendors will begin setting up Thursday morning and can begin selling as soon as their booths are set up. The booths will close down Aug. 13.
Conwell says V-Twin Company of Daytona Beach, Fla., will take up most of the available space with its collection of biker clothing and accessories. Other booths will include Mountainview Baptist Church of Custer which will be giving away free water and lemonade, gospel tracts and posting its large map on which visitors can place pins locating their hometowns.
Also back this year is Buckskin to Buffalo, a booth that offers items made from all kinds of hides, such as boots and dream catchers.
A new vendor this year is called CRM, which sells jewelry and other handcrafted items.
On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Mayor Bob Brown will preside over the 25th annual Mayor’s Ride poker run. Registration will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mt. Rushmore Brewery and riders will meet at the Veterans Memorial on Washington Street. Following a short speech by the mayor, the riders will depart at 1 p.m. for a ride that will take them toward Newcastle, Wyo., and up Hwy. 85 to Four Corners for a stop and card draw at the Buckhorn Bar and Grill. Riders will then continue to Lead and head down Hwy. 385 for a stop at Pactola before returning back to Custer for dinner at Mt. Rushmore Brewery.
There, cash prizes will be awarded for the high hand, second high hand and lowest hand. The cost of registration is $30 for each driver and $25 for each passenger. Each participant will receive a T-shirt, Custer Cash and dinner on the deck.