Sturgis Fest returns June 21-26 with theme of 'Celebrating Our Heroes'
Sturgis Fest 2022 is approaching, with the theme “Celebrating Our Heroes.”
Roxanne Persing, executive director at Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, explained this year’s theme.
“We’re honoring heroes, we’re celebrating heroes because I feel that we’re all heroes in some way or form for everything we’ve all been through in the past two years with the COVID situation,” she said.
In deciding on grand marshals for Sturgis Fest, Persing said she met with the committee to decide who would be the heroes who would represent Sturgis. They are Jeff Mullins, Jade Klingler and Ryan Banaszak. Persing said Mullins represents the people of Sturgis while Klingler represents health and wellness and Banaszak represents public safety.
“They all play a very vital role in the city of Sturgis,” she said.
Persing said there will be plenty of returning favorites at Sturgis Fest, along with some additions that are exciting.
Events begin Saturday with the Dave Locey Youth Triathlon.
On Tuesday is the Kickoff Dinner, which features the 2022 Citizens of the Year, Cathi Garn-Abbs and Mike Stiles, and the grand marshals.
Wednesday is Family Night, downtown. Persing said she’s excited about an outdoor movie at the Arkwright lot where Strand Theatre will give out 150 bags of popcorn and Radiant Life Church will hand out free water. She’s also excited about a new "Hometown Heroes" event featuring city trucks in the North Street/John Street area. "Wine Night" at Free Church Park is among the attractions.
On Thursday’s Bike Night, Persing said new Route 12 Harley-Davidson owners will put on a special benefit ride at 6 p.m. Each rider will donate $10 to a local organization. The ride leaves the Harley shop and travels around the county, then comes downtown to join bikers in a VIP parking section. A new Poetry Walk at Thurston Woods Park by Sturgis District Library also is Thursday.
Persing is enthusiastic about a new event, set for Friday: Hispanic Heritage Celebration, presented by Sturgis Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council. It features live music, including a mariachi band, pinatas, food and more on North Street.
Sturgis American Legion participates Friday with a beer tent and food and band 6 to 1 performing on the porch. Friday night’s electric parade features a heroes theme. Persing said, for example, the Ghostbusters are coming.
Some locations of events have changed for Sturgis Fest 2022, Persing said. For example, the Biscuits vintage baseball game (Sunday) has been moved to Sturgis High School and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament (on Saturday) has been moved to American Legion.
Persing is thankful for people throughout the community who have come together to make Sturgis Fest a reality, including Faith Gardner, Nick West and Gabe Alvez, who are chairpersons for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night,respectively.
“It was that way last year too,” she said of the community. “We’re very thankful to be able to continue working with the people we have surrounded ourselves with in making this be such a successful event.”
At a glance
Daily roundup of events at Sturgis Fest 2022:
Saturday, June 18
Dave Locey Youth Triathlon, 9 a.m., Sturgis High School.
Tuesday, June 21
Kickoff dinner, 5 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. Doors open at 5 p.m. (cocktails). Dinner starts at 6 p.m. Includes keynote speakers Jeff Mullins, Jade Klingler and Ryan Banaszak and presentation of Citizens of the Year.
Wednesday, June 22
Family Night, 4-9 p.m., includes:
Amusement rides (GT Independence Parking Lot North & John St).
Outdoor movie, showing “Encanto,” sponsored by Burr Oak Tool & Habitat for Humanity, 8-10 p.m., Arkwright Lot (across from Free Church Park) includes popcorn provided by the Strand Theatre of Sturgis for the first 150 people.
Hometown Heroes event featuring city trucks (fire/police/rescue/ambulance).
Carnival games sponsored by local organizations.
Vendors open in front of downtown businesses. Everything is $1 each: cotton candy, pop, hot dogs, chips, amusement rides.
Wine Night 6-9 p.m., Free Church Park.
Thursday, June 23
Bike Night & Beverage Garden with music by Moon Howler, sponsored by Route 12 Harley Davidson, 5-10 p.m., downtown Sturgis on North Street. Includes:
Beer tent hosted by American Legion (no social district).
Food trucks on Pleasant Street.
Sidewalk sales, noon- 8 p.m., downtown Sturgis.
Adult cornhole tournament, hosted by Sturgis Eagles #1314. Registration at 5 p.m., bags fly at 6 p.m. Cash prizes determined by number of participants.
Poetry Walk, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Thurston Woods Park. Sponsored by Sturgis District Library.
Friday, June 24
Car Cruise-In, Hispanic Heritage Celebration & Electric Parade 5-10 p.m. Includes:
Classic car cruise-in, 4-8:30 p.m., downtown Sturgis.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration: Live music and celebration on North Street, 5-8:30 p.m., includes music by Mariachi Nuevo Michoacan, 4:30-6:30 p.m., and Lalo Cura, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
American Legion Post #73 events: beer tent and food and band 6 to 1, 6-8 p.m.
Bounce House on N. Clay Street, sponsored by Freakin’ Sweets.
Electric Night Parade, 9:30 p.m.
Food vendors on Pleasant Street, starting at noon.
Sidewalk sales, noon-8 p.m., downtown Sturgis.
Social district beverages, Wings Etc.
Saturday, June 25
All Sports Day
Battle on the Blacktop 3v3 basketball tourney, 9 a.m., Sturgis American Legion.
Volksmarch, 10 a.m.-noon, starts at Sturgis High School and concludes the American Legion.
Softball games, 9 a.m. start, Spence Sports Complex.
Fireworks, dusk, Kirsch Municipal Airport.
Sunday, June 26
Biscuits vintage baseball game, first pitch at 2 p.m., Sturgis High School.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis Fest announces schedule, grand marshals
