Sturgis Buffalo Chip® Camp Resort And Music Festival. Largest Attendance In its 31-Year History During The Rally.

Overall attendance at the 72nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was up, with some venues struggling and others like the Buffalo Chip® earning honors from rally attendees as their top destination during the Rally with more onsite campers, more concert goers and more visitors than ever before. Statistics provided by the Buffalo Chip show visitors from all 50 states and 24 countries flocking to the Buffalo Chip® for its campground amenities, fun activities and world class entertainment. Double headlining concerts once again drew capacity crowds as the music superstars such as Journey, Zac Brown Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Eric Church, BOSTON and Sugarland, just to name a few, rocked the Buffalo Chip’s® main stage for 9 straight nights of music. The Chip, known as the “The Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling” is pleased to announce the confirmation of chart toppers ZZ Top and Toby Keith for their 2013 line up, with more major band announcements from some of the biggest names in music coming soon
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“This was not only our biggest year at the Chip by a wide margin but also our best,” said Sturgis Buffalo Chip® owner Rod Woodruff. “We were very pleased that such a large number of rally goers chose to spend their time at the Chip. It is always our goal to provide the best overall experience from camping to entertainment and it looks like with the record setting crowds we are succeeding. The Buffalo Chip is not just a campground, it is a destination.”

An overwhelming selection of entertainment and activities once again ruled over the Buffalo Chip’s 580 acres as visitors chose from riding the exhilarating Zip Line, the longest in South Dakota, shooting a real machine gun at the Guns of Freedom range, motorcycle stunt shows, fire dancers, comedians, getting inked at the Tattoo Cafe, live music on one of the many side stages or taking a plunge in the fresh water pond at Bikini Beach. 

The new, free to the public, CrossRoads at The Buffalo Chip® drew crowds with its 20,000 square foot Sturgis Rider Cafe with multi level decks, drink specials and great food, free music shows from national recording artists, the Wall of Death, Freedom Field of Flags, American Veterans’ Traveling Tribute with  Vietnam Wall War Memorial, hypnotist shows, helicopter rides and the World’s Largest V-twin Motor Sculpture standing 30 feet tall and lighting the night with over 10,000 LED lights. 

The Buffalo Chip® was once again the center of attention for television networks and producers as TV crews roamed the Chip shooting multiple episodes with the Chip’s unique and exciting backdrops and excitement from campers and visitors. Paul Jr. Designs unveiled two custom creations on consecutive nights live on the main stage in front of massive crowds for the TV series American Chopper. The Travel Channel was on site filming three new documentaries featuring the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®. Rich Wyatt and American Guns filmed a gun reveal at the Buffalo Chip Shooting Rage, and the star of American Pickers, Mike Wolfe, was also on hand at the Chip to name just a few.

Victory Motorcycles once again selected the Sturgis Buffalo Chip® as the destination for their annual Victory Owners Group ride and reception party. The ride this year, led by retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant, film and TV star, as well as spokesmen, R. Lee “Gunny” Ermey, saw a record number of Victory riders in attendance to take in all the hospitality at the Chip. While at the Chip, Victory also awarded a donation of $100,000 to the Wounded Warriors Foundation live on the main stage as part of the Buffalo Chip’s Military Tribute Day. 

Indian Motorcycles in partnership with Jack Daniels chose Sunday night prior to the Zac Brown concert to unveil 2 new custom designed motorcycles to the week’s largest crowd. The custom bikes will tour the nation with Indian and Jack Daniels before being auctioned to support and drive awareness for Zac Browns charity, Camp Southern Ground, a summer camp for special needs children.

The Harley-Davidson® Owners Group (H.O.G.) also staged the Buffalo Chip Experiences as part of their annual members’ ride and reception party. H.O.G. members from around the world joined friends and 2X UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir and top UFC Welterweight contender Thiago Alves for an evening of festivities including an amazing concert by country crossover superstar Eric Church.
 
The 5th annual Legends Ride from Historic Deadwood to the Buffalo Chip® was once again a sell out. Participants joined icons from the worlds of motorcycling and entertainment such as Arlen, Cory and Zack Ness, Daredevil Robbie Knievel, film and TV star Kristi Swanson, 5X Olympian Lloyd Eisler and legendary guitarist for the Classic Rock band Journey, Neal Schon, on this charity event that traditionally signals the start of the rally. One of the highlights of the Legends Ride was the presentation of a new luxury bus to the Black Hills Special Olympics to transport athletes to events year round. This year the Legends Ride raised over $48,000 with 100% of rider contributions split between two local charities, The Black Hill Special Olympics and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

The annual Biker Belles Ride, presented by Harley-Davidson®, was a celebration of real women, real stories and real fun as participants came together for a charity ride that began at the Lodge at Deadwood and concluded at the Crossroads at The Buffalo Chip®. 100% of rider contributions go to the Sturgis Motorcycle museum and Helping with Horsepower, a foundation dedicated to helping at-risk girls. The charity event kicked off at the Lodge at Deadwood with a symposium of leading industry women including Laura Klock of Klock Werks, Claudia Garber of Harley-Davidson®, Marilyn Stemp of Iron Works magazine, Genevieve Schmitt from WRN, Christine Paige Diers of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and TV personality and custom fabricator Jessi Combs, co-host of Overhaulin’ and host of All Girls Garage. The event concluded at the Chip with an auction, biker fashion show, and concert by Eric Church.

And of course, one of the Buffalo Chip’s center piece events is the Motorcycles as Art exhibition curated by famed photographer Michael Lichter. This year’s exhibition titled Come together – The Spirit of Born Free celebrated the style and innovation from the early days of chopper building in the 60’ and 70’s by some of today’s hottest custom builders. The week long exhibition that also included a photo exhibition and art show from the some of the biggest names in motorcycle themed art world was located in the Russ Brown Events Center and was a major draw for Chip visitors.

You can already make your reservations now for 2013 and get passes for some of the biggest names in music including superstars ZZ Top, Toby Keith and many more. Reservations at Buffalo Chip or by calling 605-347-9000.

13 Responses to “Sturgis Buffalo Chip® Camp Resort And Music Festival. Largest Attendance In its 31-Year History During The Rally.”


  1. 1 joe schmoe Aug 22nd, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    “Sturgis Buffalo Chip® Camp Resort And Music Festival. Largest Attendance In its 31-Year History During The Rally.”

    With this headline you kind of expect to find some actual numbers…did I miss them??

    Largest !!?? Well how many??!!

    Even PR lackies would shove some #’s in our faces!!

  2. 2 nicker Aug 22nd, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    What’s with the “shadow puppet” hand signals in the first pic….???
    Looks like a bunch of “saw-mill employees” ordering 4 beers.

    -nicker-

  3. 3 industry guy 2 Aug 23rd, 2012 at 8:12 am

    you guys complain about everything… Jesus H Christ!

    I’m more concerned about (and I believe I speak for everyone else) if those TV cameras were filming for the GOOD of our industry, drive sales, make more viewers in the world more aware of our industry. If I recall, it was OCC that started this craze that happened in the early 2000’s? remember? One little show changed it all.

    So sit back, relax, read the articles and dont worry about saw mill empoyees and PR lackies.. sheesh.

  4. 4 Rodent Aug 23rd, 2012 at 10:45 am

    Ya know why Barnum & Bailey Circus was known as “The Greatest Show on Earth”? Because P.T. Barnum said it was!

  5. 5 robert pandya Aug 24th, 2012 at 9:15 am

    Victory is proud to partner with the Chip. One afternoons visit and walk around, while certainly not enough to see it all, would be enough to convince anyone that the Chip team knows how to throw a party for motorcycle enthuists. Kudos to Woody Lon and Sara for their tireless work. Thanks to the rest of the Chip staff for getting what we need to take care of our riders.

  6. 6 Robert Pandya Aug 24th, 2012 at 9:53 am

    Sorry for the typos there all – I was writing that out on a mobile phone! You you get my drift…

  7. 7 ROGUE Aug 24th, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    I had a Great Time at The CHIP again this year.
    Others I talked to and went with had one as well.
    Woody, Lon and the whole crew did a great job.
    THANKS

  8. 8 Conejos (Rabbit) Aug 27th, 2012 at 11:16 am

    No mention of how long it takes to get in or out of that place (about 2 hours) not good on the air cooled rides. And for $300.00 each it would be nice to get a warm shower at least once. Don’t spend all that money in one place Woodie ! Can you say GREED boys & girls

  9. 9 Sturgis Pride Aug 29th, 2012 at 10:53 am

    The Sturgis Rally would not be the Sturgis Rally without the Buffalo Chip. The Sturgis Rally benefits from millions of dollars worth of free publicity and advertising the Buffalo Chip generates by marketing and promoting its concerts, entertainment and events each year. The Buffalo Chip has been featured on several national television broadcasts which has generated even more exposure and interest to the Sturgis Rally which equates into millions of dollars being poured into the local Sturgis economy, the Black Hills as well as the state of South Dakota.

    On the outside looking in, it would be easy to call Rod or the Woodruff family greedy because of the success they have had in growing their small family business into such an iconic destination, but a closer examination of the facts would make that claim unreasonable and unjustified. The FACTS in addition to providing the local community hundreds of jobs on an annual basis is that the Buffalo Chip and the Woodruff family give back to the local community more than any other rally business or organization in Sturgis as evident by the hundreds of thousands of dollars generated by the Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride, Biker Belles Ride and the litany of other charitable cause they support.

    There is no denying that the Buffalo Chip has dust, traffic and an occasional water or power issue due to its ever-expanding consumer base. It’s not a Las Vegas casino, its a music festival and the Buffalo Chip has always stepped up to the plate each year to provide improved facilities, amenities and services to its customers. Rod and the Buffalo Chip are not ones to boast about all the greater good they do for the rally and the community of Sturgis, but rest assured that the Sturgis Rally as well as the community of Sturgis, the Black Hills and the State of South Dakota owe Rod and the Buffalo Chip a debt of gratitude for all they do and their commitment to making the Sturgis Rally a healthy and viable attraction to millions of rally goers for years to come.

    So all you hacks that sit around in your underwear and spout off about all the negative, superficial and erroneous BS about companies like the Buffalo Chip that are positive driving forces for this industry, please take it deep.

  10. 10 jaymanr11 Aug 29th, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    Very well said Sturgis Pride, also I was with a group of peope who used both shower houses at different times over 10 days and never once had a problem with hot water. Sorry if you did Conejos but think you may be making things up.

  11. 11 Brian Thompson Aug 30th, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Cudo’s to Sturgis Pride for stepping up and telling it like it is…

    It is known to me personally that the employees of the Buffalo Chip take a personal pride in working for the Woodruff family, and each and every one of them takes their jobs to heart in providing the best services possible to make for a great rally…

    This is something they strive for not only for a 10 day period… but throughout the year, tirelessly and relentlessly putting together a rally that is unsurpassed in quality of entertainment and value offered too its patrons…

    Is there problems that need to be worked out? yes, as in any ongoing continually growing ever expanding enterprise… there are going to be unexpected challenges to overcome… But there is no other committed group so dedicated to resolve and move forward than the Buffalo Chip crew.

    The Woodruff family is dedicated and compassionate about improving and strives to improve each and every year. And each year surpassing the previous with positive results…

    Merely the magnitude of the taking on of such a task as to entertain and service 10’s of thousands of patrons nightly in such a manner as the Buffalo Chip does, should earn them the respect of anyone that has encompassed these surroundings. This is a tremendous undertaking, not being run by a corporation, but as a family business.

    There are very few family businesses run as selflessly, generously, and caringly as the Woodruff family runs theirs. And to have anyone comment negatively on their enormous task of efforts and accomplishments is ludicrous.

    Fact is that with all the achievements, all the improvements… as many obstacles and challenges put forth in this feat, there are still going to be self-serving egotistical persons out there that are going to feel they weren’t personally catered too enough.

    Bravo Team Buffalo Chip!

  12. 12 Willy Rebel Aug 30th, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Complaining about $300 to camp and see amazing concerts? Get a job.

  13. 13 RadarCA Aug 30th, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    I couldn’t agree more with Sturgis Pride, Brian Thompson, and Willy Rebel. This year was my first time at the Buffalo Chip and I had a blast! A special thank you to the Woodruff family, Chip staff, and awesome entertainers! Oh yeah, I used the showers 7 or 8 times and had warm water every single time.

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Cyril Huze