Join Sturgis, Buffalo Chip for the Inaugural Rally Wrap Party

Unbelievably, in 81 years, there has never been an official Sturgis Rally Wrap Party. That changes as Why We Ride, MOTOvational.org and the Sturgis Buffalo Chip host the VIP Sturgis Rally Wrap Party benefitting Treasured Lives. The limited seat event is aimed at motorcycle industry VIPs, brand leaders and anyone who rides. The event is slated for Friday, August 13th at 6:00 pm. Registration is available at SturgisRallyWrapParty.com.

The Sturgis Wrap Party hits the Buffalo Chip with a Luau theme to create a relaxing environment before the tear-down of the rally. The event will feature a cocktail hour that kickstarts the program in the Buffalo Chip Event Center. During the sit-down tropical feast, custom motorcycles will be placed around the event space for admiration. The night continues with a raffle, live auctions and special guest speakers. 100% of the proceeds go to the Treasured Lives charity organization. The event is limited to 250 guests, each receiving a custom, commemorative Sturgis Rally Wrap Party Luau shirt.

“Since we made the ‘Why We Ride’ film, and my first visits to the Sturgis Rally, I have wanted to host a Hollywood style Red Carpet celebration to wrap up the event. Our inaugural event already has some great support, and we are counting on the motorcycle industry to join us in the wrap party and Luau,” says Bryan Carroll, producer of the event and founder of MOTOvational.org. “Rod Woodruff and I started planning this on a ride up the California coast in 2019. It would have been impossible without his partnership at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip and our great supporters.

MOTOvational.org and the Buffalo Chip are joining together to build South Dakota’s first crisis house, Treasured House, for survivors of sex trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE). There are no temporary shelters dedicated to sex trafficking victims in the surrounding area. Without a safe place to stay, victims are at high risk for returning to their traffickers. It is critical for the well-being of victims to work with those who have come out of similar experiences. The shared understanding of each other’s experiences is critical to the healing process.

The objectives for the Treasured House are: 1) Providing a place of safety and hope. 2) Assessing strategic placement of victims to receive the best possible long-term care. 3) Beginning the healing process. 4) Assisting in the understanding of factors that make some individuals more vulnerable and higher risk than others.

Donated skateboard decks, “Why We Ride” Strider Balance Bikes, signed books and prints, motorcycle helmets and apparel will be auctioned off. At the event, signed copies of “From Trafficked to Treasured” will be sold by author Kelly Patterson.

Money spent on tickets, raffles and auction items are considered a tax-deductible charitable donation. Your attendance and our sponser’s support continues the tradition of bikers benefiting communities.Supporters for the party include Harley-Davidson, KlockWerks, Company 3, Formosa Group, Refuse Specialists, Baggernation, eGrafx, 805Bling, DavidCookLA, Strider Sports, Int’l, and Chadwick.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.